Following your visit to the Minor Injury Unit or Urgent Treatment Centre you have been given a broad arm sling to help you rest your injury.
Unless you have been told otherwise you should take this sling off when going to bed and when washing and dressing. Before taking it off to do these activities, note how it is fitted – this might help you when you put it back on.
When you wake up in the morning you should put your sling back on. But you should also take it off every three to four hours and move your shoulder, elbow, wrist and fingers to avoid them getting stiff. You should wear your sling until you are comfortable without it.
If your hand is swollen as a result of your arm injury, you should not wear any rings until it is back to its normal size.
How to put on your broad arm sling on
Lay the sling across your chest with the longest side vertically hanging. Place arm horizontally over your body Raise the bottom corner up and over the injured arm and towards the opposite shoulder.
Take the two ends behind the neck and tie in a bow. Use a safety pin to secure the material at the elbow. Wear the sling for as long as you have been advised. For your personal safety remove sling before bedtime unless directed otherwise by the clinician.
Call 111 if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation. For less urgent health needs, contact your GP or local pharmacist in the usual way.
Visit the Minor Injuries Unit webpage for more information about this service.
