Shoulder bandage: indications, description, types and rules of use

Injuries and injuries of the shoulder girdle - the phenomenon is quite frequent. Physicians attribute this to the fact that the shoulder joint is very mobile and can suffer in the process of performing work tasks, at home, while playing sports. In addition, the muscles and ligaments of the shoulder girdle are seriously affected by the lifting of weights. To reliably fix the shoulder joint and accelerate its recovery, trauma doctors recommend using a shoulder bandage. But if the doctor did not specify a specific model, then it's not easy to understand yourself.

Medical indications

Using a bandage allows you to hold the shoulder joint in the correct position. Patients are recommended this fixation device in a number of cases:

• In the process of postoperative rehabilitation;
• In the process of rehabilitation after fractures, bruises, dislocations or sprains;
• As a supporting device for acute and chronic joint diseases (arthritis, arthrosis, osteoarthritis, periarthritis, myositis);
• When diagnosing paresis or paralysis of the hand;
• After the installation of prostheses;
• With hypermobility (extreme mobility) of the shoulder joints;
• In the process of reconstruction of muscle gaps;
• With neurological disorders;
• For the prevention of pain and swelling after exercise.

The bandage fixing on the shoulder joint is used in some cases as an independent tool, but sometimes it is supplemented by other types of orthoses. Classical pair - plaster bandage plus supporting bandage.

Kinds of bandages

The appointment of brachial orthoses can pursue several goals. In connection with this, several large groups of different designs have been developed, united by one name - "shoulder bandage". Groups are called:

• Fixing bandages;
• Supporting bandages;
• Limiting bandages;
• Clavicular bandages.

Each group performs a specific set of functions and is assigned in the appropriate situation.

Fixing bandage

This group includes semi-rigid immobilizing products on the shoulder and forearm. In this case, the shoulder bandage fixes the damaged joint after injuries or surgeries. The patient loses the ability to move his shoulder, raise his hand and take her away.

If a semi-rigid orthosis is used for immobilization, and an elastic orthosis-head scarf, then an additional tire or hinge is added, which makes it possible to fix the desired angle between the shoulder joint and the arm.

Supporting bandage

It is a soft construction used to prevent injuries. Bandage brachial support is often called "kerchief". These devices do not have a division into the left or right hand. They are made of durable materials, and retain little mobility in the damaged joint, significantly reducing the load on it. Shoulder brace kosynochny, you can adjust the special straps to achieve the most comfortable state.

Most of the supporting bandages are performed on the basis of the development of the French surgeon Pierre Desot. He managed to figure out in the 18th century how to fix the shoulder together with the forearm to the trunk. The doctor used gauze bandages for this, and a modern shoulder brace bandage is made of combined materials of different elasticity.

Restraining bandage

This is a more complex design in the form of a half-jacket with a short sleeve. He is put on a problem shoulder and fixed with a strap system. Thus, the amplitude of the movements of the hand is regulated. Restrictive bandages are used for conservative treatment of shoulder joint dislocations, with humerous periarthritis, with fractures of the head of the humerus, with fracture of the scapula, with damage to the clavic joints, after prosthetics of the shoulder joint. This is not a complete list of indications, surgeons, traumatologists and orthopedists could significantly expand it.

For the patient it is most convenient to choose the limiting bandages of those structures that can be worn independently. It is important to place the shoulder strap so that it does not rub your neck.

Bandage for clavicle

Bandages for the collarbone in the common people are called eight-shaped. The medical name is "Delbe's rings". With the help of a simple design, the shoulder strap is fixed . Such a brachial bandage is indispensable for rehabilitation after ruptures of the acromioclavicular junction. The belt structure pulls back the shoulders, and fixes them in this position. This eliminates the pathology in the adhesion of the articulation. It is desirable to choose a design in such a way that it does not rub the skin in the axillary region.

Children's shoulder brace

Children often find themselves in the office of a traumatologist with various bruises, sprains, dislocations and fractures. This category of patients requires special attention, since incorrect treatment can prevent the correct development of the musculoskeletal system. Since the skin of children is more sensitive, the children's shoulder bandage should be made of natural fabrics. Synthetic elements can be placed only in the inner layer. In addition, children's bandages are recommended to be made from bright materials, so that they can be clearly seen. Otherwise, children during the games can forget about the injury and grab or pull the patient for the damaged area.

Degree of fixation

By the degree of fixation, the structures are divided into several categories:

• Bandages of weak fixation for early rehabilitation of the musculoskeletal system and for the prevention of injuries after overloads;
• Bandages semi-rigid for postoperative rehabilitation and treatment of arthritis, arthrosis and periarthritis;
• Bandages of rigid fixation for immobilization at fractures or after operations.

The degree of compression and rigidity of fixing the bandage is determined by the doctor.

How to care for a shoulder bandage

Since the bandages are designed for permanent or prolonged wearing, they must be kept clean. For washing, soft detergents are selected. The water temperature should be moderate (no higher than 35 ° C). Drying of the bandage is allowed only in the shade, it is impossible to twist and iron the product.

What you need to remember

Any bandage should be properly sized. If an inflammatory skin disease is detected in the area of application, then the bandage can not be worn. If the patient is diagnosed with an allergy, then it is necessary to carefully consider the choice of the material of the shoulder bandage. Change the mode and time of wearing bandages is possible only on the advice of a doctor. On the bands of any constructions the storage period is indicated. After this period, the manufacturer can not guarantee the preservation of the elasticity and quality of the product.