Shoulder and arm supports

The shoulder support or brace is amongst the most widely used of all medical supports, mainly because the shoulder is a complex and easily damaged joint that can succumb to numerous injuries and strains. It is also a joint that is in constant use.

Shoulder supports can be used after surgery and during rehabilitation, or to stabilize or act as a preventative measure for injuries like a frozen shoulder, a dislocated shoulder, a fractured collar bone, rheumatic pain, thrower's shoulder (Impingement Syndrome) and injuries related to the muscles and ligaments associated with the rotator cuff.

Many people who have suffered one of the aforementioned injuries, and who then continue to participate in sports or activities that place a strain on the shoulder, may choose to wear one of these supports for reassurance, or to prevent a reoccurrence. They can also help with proprioception which relates to the body's own awareness of where the arm is in relation to the body. (This is something that can be lost with certain injuries like dislocated shoulders.)

What they do and how they work

There are many different kinds of shoulder support from those that simply apply reassuring pressure around the joint to those that actually restrict the degree of shoulder movement that is available.

Most supports will provide what is often described as "therapeutic heat" around the joint and this is achieved through the material of the support retaining the heat generated around the shoulder. This combination of compressive support and heat therapy should speed up any healing resulting from surgery or injury.

Some supports will include pockets that allow the addition of a hot or cold compression pack for the relief of pain, to prevent swelling and to speed up rehabilitation. Other types will have vented sections that maintain a cooler feel. Different people have different preferences.

A shoulder support can also be used to correct posture or to achieve a better and healthier shoulder position.

A typical shoulder support will come in a choice of size fittings with hook and loop (Velcro) fastenings to allow the tightness around the chest and bicep to be adjusted precisely. Most supports are made from neoprene which means that they are washable and in many cases reversible enabling them to fit both the left and right shoulders.

A "full shoulder support" is normally one that covers and supports both shoulders. This type of support is sometimes described as a figure of eight support due to the appearance of its rear strapping.

All shoulder supports of this type are intended to keep the shoulder mobile and allow a normal range of healthy movements. Braces and supports intended to restrict or immobilize the shoulder joint are usually in two sections and hold the arm, with the elbow at 90 degrees, in front of and against the body.

Supports and braces for other joints and parts of the body include elbow supports, hand (and wrist) supports, knee supports and shoulder supports. There are also support sleeves for muscle groups like those of the thigh and hamstring.

Back to Orthopedic supports, braces and cushions for joints and muscles.

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