Make a Sling for Your Arm

You don't have to have a broken bone to wear a sling.

You can have muscular injuries that cause pain when moved. However, when either broken or 'just' injured, a sling can make a difference in your day to day life.

Steps

 * 1) Find some cloth to make the sling with. It will need to be at least 40 inches square. Take into consideration the flexibility and 'stretchiness' of the cloth. Your arm will be putting weight on it and you don't want it to be too stretchy. A good suggestion is to use linen from your bed...a sheet or pillowcase.
 * 2)  Cut the cloth about 40 inches square.
 * 3)  Cut, or fold, the cloth in half diagonally to make a triangle.
 * 4) Slip one end of the bandage under your arm and over your shoulder.
 * 5)  Bring the other end of your sling over your other shoulder so that it is cradling the arm.
 * 6) Tie the ends of the sling behind your neck. (Be sure to avoid the hair at your nape).
 * 7)  Secure the edge of the sling, near the elbow, with a sturdy safety pin.

Tips

 * If your arm or shoulder doesn't get any better even though you are favoring it (using the sling), be sure to go see your physician.
 * When it isn't possible, or advisable, to make a 'full size' sling, make a collar and cuff sling.
 * Wrap a strip of cloth, a sheet, pants, pantyhose, (whatever you have) and wrap it under your wrist and around your neck in a similar fashion as the full size sling.

Sources and Citations

 * The information for this article came from Harvard.Edu.