Shoulder surgery introduces significant challenges to daily tasks, and dressing becomes a complex exercise in protecting the surgical site. The primary goal during recovery is to maintain the specific movement restrictions prescribed by your surgeon. Any sudden or strenuous movement, especially those involving lifting or reaching, can compromise the repair of tendons or ligaments, potentially delaying the healing process. Therefore, approach dressing with slow, deliberate attention to ensure the shoulder remains immobilized and the recovery protocol is maintained.
Selecting Appropriate Clothing
Choosing the right garments significantly reduces the risk of straining the recovering shoulder. Shirts must be loose-fitting, ideally selected one or two sizes larger than normal to provide ample space for movement. This extra room prevents the fabric from catching or pulling on the arm.
Garments featuring a full front-closure are recommended, such as button-downs, zip-ups, or tops with hook-and-loop fasteners. These designs allow the shirt to be draped around the body rather than pulled over the head. Avoid all pullover shirts, particularly those made from non-stretchy material or with tight necklines, as they force the arm to be elevated beyond a safe range. Look for shirts made from fabrics that offer some degree of stretch, such as jersey knit or cotton blends. Sleeveless or short-sleeved tops are often easier to manage than long sleeves.
Step-by-Step Guide for Dressing
The foundational principle for putting on a shirt after shoulder surgery is always to dress the surgical arm first. Begin by sitting down in a stable chair with a backrest, which helps to minimize the need for balance. Lay the shirt open on your lap or a flat surface, ensuring the collar is facing you and the sleeves are easily accessible.
Using your non-surgical hand, gather the sleeve intended for the surgical arm, bunching the fabric down to the cuff. Gently slide the hand of your surgical arm through the bunched cuff. Continue to use your non-surgical hand to pull the sleeve material up the surgical arm, guiding it past the elbow and toward the shoulder.
Once the surgical arm is fully in the sleeve, use your non-surgical hand to grasp the back of the shirt’s collar. Carefully maneuver the shirt across your back and over your head, tilting your head slightly to accommodate the neck opening without raising the surgical shoulder. The shirt should now be resting on the non-surgical shoulder, with the non-surgical arm still free.
Place your non-surgical arm into its sleeve, securing the shirt around your body. If the shirt has a front closure, use your non-surgical hand to fasten the buttons or zipper, starting from the bottom and working upward. Throughout this entire process, all movement of the surgical arm must remain passive.
Safe Removal of Clothing
The process of undressing must follow the opposite sequence to avoid strain on healing tissues, prioritizing the removal of the shirt from the non-surgical side first. If the shirt has a front closure, unfasten all buttons or zippers using your non-surgical hand. Grasp the fabric near the cuff of the sleeve on your non-surgical arm and gently pull the arm out of the sleeve.
The shirt should now be draped over your surgical shoulder and arm. Use your free, non-surgical hand to reach over and pull the shirt off your head and across your chest. Guide the material down and off the surgical arm, starting from the shoulder area and moving toward the elbow. Allow the surgical arm to hang loosely or remain supported against your body, ensuring it does not lift or rotate. The shirt will eventually fall free from the hand, completing the removal without requiring active motion from the recovering shoulder joint.