Emergency and Urgent Care - Broad Arm Sling

Introduction

You have sustained an injury to your shoulder, clavicle, arm, or wrist. Your injury requires a broad arm sling.

This leaflet will provide information on how to use the sling, care for it and reapply it at home.

Treatment

Broad arm slings are commonly used in the treatment of injuries to the shoulder, clavicle, arm, and wrist. The aim of the sling is to provide support and comfort to the arm whilst the injury heals.

There are several types of broad arm slings; however, we most commonly use a triangular bandage sling and a mesh sling in our department (see below).

You will be advised how long to wear the broad arm sling for during your visit and if any follow up is required.

It is advised that you move your wrist and hand regularly throughout the day to avoid stiffness and to remove your arm from the sling at least twice daily to bend and straighten your elbow whilst supporting the weight of your arm with the other hand.

If you are in pain, regular pain relief is advised. Paracetamol and ibuprofen can be bought over the counter and are very effective at reducing localised pain and swelling.

Refer to the patient information leaflet in the medicine boxes for advice of dosage and side effects prior to taking. You may have been prescribed pain relief on your visit, if so take this as prescribed and ensure you read the leaflet before taking.

You may be advised to self-refer to physiotherapy. Follow this link for Rochdale self-referral: https://physiodirect.penninecare.nhs.uk/

Do not complete physiotherapy unless you have been advised to do so by a medical professional involved in your care.

You MUST remove the sling at night to sleep as it can be a choking hazard.

You can remove the sling at home to wash yourself, the sling or to have a rest period.

How to re-apply your broad arm sling

The sling will be fitted and explained to you during your visit to the department.

If you have removed the sling at home to wash, dress or sleep and need to put it back on, here are some instructions on how to re-apply your sling at home.

Mesh sling

• Start by sitting on a chair, it may be more comfortable to support your injured arm on a pillow or a table
• Slide your injured arm into the sling and place your thumb into the white material thumb loop. Make sure your elbow is tucked snuggly into the corner of the sling
• Take the shoulder strap across your back and bring it over your uninjured shoulder
• Feed the strap through the ring and attach it back onto itself with the Velcro
• You should be able to comfortably rest the weight of your injured arm into the sling and it should be at a 90 degree angle

Triangular bandage sling

• It is much easier to apply this sling standing up and assistance is needed
• Place the sling against your body, the longest straight edge of the sling should go from your uninjured side shoulder to your uninjured side leg. Your elbow should be adjacent to the point of the triangle
• Fold the bottom corner of the triangle up towards the shoulder of the injured arm
• Tie the corners resting on each shoulder around the back of the neck
• Gather the corner of the fabric at your elbow and secure it with tape or a safety pin
• You should be able to comfortably rest the weight of your injured arm into the sling and it should be at a 90 degree angle

Please visit this link on the internet for a video showing the application of your broad arm sling:

https://vimeo.com/488585068/22bbce2871

Caring for your broad arm sling

Your sling should last for the full length of treatment, however if it becomes visibly dirty or starts to smell you can hand wash the sling in cool water and air dry at home. Alternatively, the sling will be available at your local pharmacy for a small cost.

Work

If you do not feel capable of going to work due to either pain or reduced movement, you are able to self-certify sickness for 7 days.

You must complete a self-certification form found on the government website and give this to your employer. This entitles you to statutory sick pay from your employer for up to 7 days.

To access the link to the self-certification form please go to:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statutory-sick- pay-employees-statement-of-sickness-sc2

If you feel you need longer than 7 days off work, you must contact your GP for a sick note. We cannot provide sick notes from the Urgent Treatment Centre.

If your GP is based within the Rochdale borough they will have received a notification of attendance from us detailing your diagnosis.

Possible complications

If follow up has been arranged you should attend this.

If your injury does not require follow up you will have been given an approximate recovery time during your visit to the Urgent Treatment Centre.

If the pain is ongoing despite treatment and analgesia or you experience tingling/change in sensation to the arm, please contact:

Rochdale Urgent Treatment Centre on 01706 517023