Diagram of shoulder sling

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A clear labeled medical diagram of a shoulder sling showing how it is worn on the human body. The diagram should show: the arm resting in the sling at approximately 90 degrees elbow flexion, the strap going around the neck, the fabric supporting the forearm and wrist, and key labeled parts including: neck strap, forearm support, wrist support, elbow pocket, and body strap or waist tie. The figure should be a front-facing anatomical illustration in a clean medical textbook style with clear labels and arrows pointing to each component.

Here is a labeled diagram of a standard shoulder sling. Key components shown:

Neck strap - loops around the neck to bear the weight of the arm
Forearm support - the main fabric cradle that holds the forearm
Elbow pocket - the closed end that prevents the elbow from slipping out
Wrist support - keeps the wrist elevated and in a neutral position
Body strap / waist tie - optional strap that anchors the sling against the torso to limit movement

The arm rests at roughly 90 degrees of elbow flexion, with the hand slightly elevated above the elbow level to reduce swelling. Slings are used for fractures, dislocations, shoulder surgeries, and soft tissue injuries to immobilize and support the upper limb.

Dishram of shoulder immobilizer

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A clear labeled medical diagram of a shoulder immobilizer worn on the human body, front-facing anatomical illustration in clean medical textbook style. The shoulder immobilizer should show: the arm held close to the body with elbow at 90 degrees flexion, the main body vest or wrap that goes around the torso, the arm sling component supporting the forearm, and the swath strap that binds the upper arm to the chest wall. Labeled parts with arrows should include: shoulder strap, arm sling pouch, swath or chest strap, elbow support, waist band, and abduction pillow if present. Show how the device restricts both the shoulder and the entire arm against the body, differentiating it from a simple sling.

Here is a labeled diagram of a shoulder immobilizer. Key components and features:

Shoulder strap - goes over the opposite (unaffected) shoulder to anchor the device
Arm sling pouch - supports the forearm and wrist at 90 degrees elbow flexion
Swath / chest strap - the critical feature that distinguishes this from a simple sling; it wraps around the torso and binds the upper arm firmly against the chest wall, preventing shoulder abduction and rotation
Elbow support - cradles the elbow to prevent it from sliding out
Waist band - secures the device around the abdomen for added stability

How it differs from a shoulder sling:

Feature	Sling	Immobilizer
Supports forearm	Yes	Yes
Restricts upper arm movement	No	Yes (via swath)
Prevents shoulder rotation	No	Yes
Used after shoulder dislocation / surgery	Less ideal	Preferred

Common indications include shoulder dislocations, proximal humerus fractures, rotator cuff repairs, and Bankart/SLAP surgical repairs where restricting all shoulder movement (not just supporting the arm weight) is required.

Shoulder abduction orthosis

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A clear labeled medical diagram of a shoulder abduction orthosis (also called airplane splint or shoulder abduction pillow brace) worn on the human body, front-facing and side-view anatomical illustration in clean medical textbook style. The device should show: the arm held away from the body in abduction at approximately 45 to 90 degrees, a firm triangular or wedge-shaped abduction pillow between the upper arm and the torso, a body harness or vest that wraps around the chest, an arm cuff securing the upper arm to the pillow, a forearm trough or support holding the forearm, and a waist strap anchoring the pillow to the body. Labeled arrows pointing to: abduction pillow or wedge, body harness or chest strap, upper arm cuff, forearm support trough, waist strap, shoulder joint position, and degree of abduction angle indicator. Show clearly that the arm is held out to the side away from the body rather than against it.

Here is a labeled diagram of a shoulder abduction orthosis (also called an airplane splint). Key components:

Abduction pillow / wedge - the firm triangular foam or rigid wedge that holds the arm out away from the body, typically at 45-90 degrees of abduction
Body harness / chest strap - wraps around the thorax to anchor the entire orthosis to the trunk
Upper arm cuff - secures the humerus to the abduction pillow and prevents the arm from dropping
Forearm support trough - cradles the forearm, usually with the elbow at ~90 degrees of flexion
Waist strap - lower anchor strap around the abdomen to stabilize the pillow and prevent rotation
Axillary pad - padding in the axilla to prevent pressure sores where the pillow contacts the chest wall

How it differs from a sling or immobilizer:

Feature	Sling	Immobilizer	Abduction Orthosis
Arm position	Adducted (against body)	Adducted (against body)	Abducted (away from body)
Shoulder movement	Partially restricted	Fully restricted	Fixed in abduction
Bulk / size	Minimal	Moderate	Large

Common indications:

Rotator cuff repair (especially massive tears) - reduces tension on the repair
Axillary nerve or brachial plexus injuries
Shoulder reconstructions requiring offloading of the repaired structures
Post-operative immobilization after glenohumeral arthroplasty

The degree of abduction (commonly 30, 45, or 90 degrees) is prescribed by the surgeon based on the procedure performed and the tissue tension required.

Clavicle brace

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A clear labeled medical diagram of a clavicle brace (also called a figure-of-eight bandage or clavicle strap) worn on the human body, front-facing and rear-view anatomical illustration in clean medical textbook style. The device shows padded figure-of-eight straps looping around both shoulders and crossing between the shoulder blades at the back, pulling both shoulders back and retracting the scapulae to reduce a clavicle fracture. Labeled arrows pointing to: padded axillary loops, figure-of-eight crossing point at the back between shoulder blades, anterior chest portion, scapular retraction direction arrows, fractured clavicle location highlighted, buckle or velcro adjustment mechanism, and padding over the axilla to prevent neurovascular compression. Show both front and back views side by side with clear anatomical landmarks.

Here is a labeled diagram of a clavicle brace (figure-of-eight bandage). Key components:

Padded axillary loops - soft padded rings that encircle each axilla (armpit); the padding is essential to prevent compression of the axillary nerve and brachial plexus
Figure-of-eight crossing point - the straps cross between the shoulder blades posteriorly, creating the characteristic figure-8 shape
Buckle / velcro adjustment - allows tightening to maintain shoulder retraction
Axillary padding - thick padding where the strap contacts the neurovascular bundle in the axilla

Mechanism of action:

The brace works by pulling both shoulders posteriorly and superiorly (scapular retraction), which:

Reduces overriding of the clavicle fracture fragments
Maintains alignment by countering the deforming muscle forces (sternocleidomastoid pulls medial fragment up; pectoralis major pulls lateral fragment down and forward)

Indications:

Midshaft clavicle fractures (most common use)
Medial clavicle fractures

Important clinical notes:

Point	Detail
Worn duration	Typically 4-6 weeks
Fit check	Two fingers should fit under the axillary loop - too tight risks neurovascular compression
Complication watch	Axillary nerve palsy, skin breakdown, brachial plexus irritation
Evidence	Conservative management with figure-of-eight vs. simple sling shows similar outcomes for most midshaft fractures

The brace is worn continuously (including sleep) and the patient is instructed to stand and sit with shoulders pulled back actively to supplement the brace's effect.

Diagram of humeral fracture brace and elbow orthosis

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A clear labeled medical diagram showing two devices side by side: LEFT: a humeral fracture brace (functional humeral brace / Sarmiento brace) on the upper arm - showing a cylindrical clamshell plastic or thermoplastic sleeve wrapping around the entire upper arm from just below the shoulder to just above the elbow, with velcro straps securing it circumferentially, labeled parts including: anterior shell, posterior shell, velcro closure straps, proximal trim line just below axilla, distal trim line just above elbow, and arrow showing hydraulic compression effect on fracture site. RIGHT: an elbow orthosis showing a hinged elbow brace with medial and lateral uprights, a hinge mechanism at the elbow joint axis, upper arm cuff, forearm cuff, range of motion dial or lock, and padding. Labels pointing to: medial upright, lateral upright, elbow hinge with ROM dial, upper arm cuff, forearm cuff, and flexion-extension arc indicator. Both diagrams in clean medical textbook anatomical illustration style with clear arrows and labels.

$Humeral fracture brace and elbow orthosis diagram$

Here is a labeled diagram of both devices. Details on each:

Humeral Fracture Brace (Sarmiento / Functional Humeral Brace)

Anterior & posterior shells - two clamshell halves of rigid or semi-rigid thermoplastic that encircle the upper arm
Velcro closure straps - 3-4 straps that allow circumferential tightening as limb swelling decreases over time
Proximal trim line - sits just below the axilla to avoid restricting shoulder movement
Distal trim line - ends just above the olecranon to allow full elbow flexion
Mechanism - works by hydraulic compression of the soft tissue sleeve around the humerus, converting muscle forces into a compressive mold that maintains fracture alignment (not rigid fixation)

Indications: Closed midshaft and distal-third humeral shaft fractures. Applied after 1-2 weeks in a hanging cast once acute swelling subsides. Worn for 8-12 weeks.

Key note: Radial nerve palsy must be assessed before and during brace use - it is the most common nerve injured in humeral shaft fractures (Holstein-Lewis fracture pattern = highest risk).

Elbow Orthosis

Medial & lateral uprights - rigid side bars that frame the elbow on both sides
Elbow hinge with ROM dial - adjustable hinges that can lock the elbow at a set angle or allow a controlled arc of flexion-extension (e.g., 30-130 degrees)
Upper arm cuff - padded cuff anchoring the orthosis to the humerus
Forearm cuff - padded cuff anchoring to the forearm/radius-ulna
Padding - protects olecranon and epicondyles from pressure

Indications:

Type	Use
Static (locked)	Post-op elbow fracture fixation, contracture correction
Hinged (adjustable ROM)	Elbow instability, ligament repair, post-dislocation rehab
Extension block	Prevents terminal extension after coronoid/collateral repair
Serial static progressive	Gradual stretching of elbow contractures

Common clinical scenarios: Terrible triad injuries, radial head fractures, medial/lateral collateral ligament repairs, and post-operative rehabilitation after total elbow arthroplasty.

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