After a shoulder fracture, what is the purpose of a sling or immobilizer?

• A. To immobilize the shoulder, limit movement, and reduce pain while maintaining alignment
• B. To allow full movement during healing
• C. To prevent swelling completely
• D. To accelerate healing by increasing movement

Answer: (A)

After a shoulder fracture, using a sling or immobilizer aims to keep the arm close to the body and the shoulder in a stable position. This limits movement, reduces stress on the fracture and surrounding tissues, and helps manage pain while the bones and soft tissues heal in proper alignment. immobilization provides protection so the fracture isn’t displaced and the healing process isn’t disrupted by active motions.

Moving the shoulder during early healing can pull on the fracture, stretch repaired tissues, and risk misalignment or delayed healing, which is why full movement during this period isn’t advised. Swelling is a natural response to injury and isn’t something an immobilizer can eliminate entirely, though immobilization can help limit movement-related irritation. Accelerating healing by increasing movement contradicts the healing needs of a fracture, which require protection and stability in the initial phase.