Recovering from shoulder surgery, such as a rotator cuff repair or total joint replacement, presents a unique challenge for everyday activities like dressing. Limited range of motion and the need to wear an immobilizing sling make pulling a shirt over the head difficult and potentially harmful. Choosing the right clothing is a practical necessity that protects the surgical site and prevents accidental strain or re-injury during the healing process. This guide offers practical solutions and techniques to help make dressing a manageable part of your recovery.
Essential Shirt Styles for Easy Dressing
The most helpful feature in a post-operative shirt is a full front opening, which eliminates the need to lift the injured arm or pull the garment over the head. Button-down shirts, blouses, or jackets with snaps, zippers, or magnetic closures are superior to standard pullover shirts in the initial weeks of recovery. They allow the shirt to be draped around the body and fastened with the non-injured hand, minimizing movement in the affected shoulder joint.
Adaptive clothing offers the most specialized solution for limited mobility. These garments feature hidden snaps, Velcro, or zippers that run along the side seams or shoulder line, allowing the shirt to open completely. This design provides easy access for wound checks, physical therapy, and medical appointments without requiring the removal of the entire shirt.
Standard pullover shirts should be avoided entirely in the early post-operative phase. Oversized, loose-fitting tops can be an option, but only if they have a very wide neck opening and are large enough to fit over the sling without resistance.
Safe Technique for Donning and Doffing
The core principle for dressing after shoulder surgery is the “injured side first, uninjured side last” rule for putting on clothing, and the reverse for taking it off. This technique ensures that the majority of the work is done by the healthy arm, while the injured arm remains passive and protected.
For putting on a shirt, gently guide the sleeve onto the injured arm first, ensuring the elbow remains bent and the shoulder does not rotate. After the injured arm is sleeved, the garment is pulled across the chest with the healthy arm, and the head is slipped through the neck opening. The final step is to insert the uninjured arm into the second sleeve. It is helpful to lay the shirt flat beforehand to prevent twisting, which can complicate the process.
When undressing, the process is reversed to maintain protection of the surgical site. First, the shirt is removed from the uninjured arm. Once detached from the healthy side, it is carefully slid off the injured arm. This sequence minimizes pulling and tugging on the recovering shoulder, preventing unwanted stress on the soft tissue repair.
Comfort and Practicality: Fabric and Fit
Beyond the style and opening mechanism, the choice of fabric plays a significant role in comfort during the recovery period. Soft, breathable materials such as cotton, jersey, or bamboo blends are highly recommended. These fabrics are gentle on the skin, which may be sensitive due to surgical bandages or irritation.
Moisture-wicking properties, often found in athletic-style blends, can also be beneficial if the sling causes increased perspiration. Conversely, stiff, restrictive materials like heavy denim, wool, or tight-fitting synthetics should be avoided, as they can cause chafing and restrict movement.
The fit of the garment must be generously sized to accommodate the bulk of the shoulder sling and any post-operative swelling. A shirt that is too snug will bunch up around the sling straps and put unwanted pressure on the wound site. Choosing shirts that are easy to wash and dry is also practical, as frequent changes may be necessary to maintain hygiene.