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After your injury or surgery
Following an injury or surgery to your upper limbs, you may not be able to move your shoulder or arm. You may need a plaster cast to hold the broken bones together while they heal, or you may need to wear a sling.
If you have become dependant on one hand, you will need to find other ways to carry out everyday tasks.
Below we suggest ways of carrying out tasks one-handed or using appropriate aids and devices. These can be bought at a pharmacy, mobility store or online.
This is occupational therapy guidance and does not replace advice given by a qualified clinical practitioner.
Everyday tips
If you get breathless, fatigued or tire quickly, sit down to complete your tasks, using:
- the edge of the bed
- a chair or kitchen stool
- a perching stool (see More information below).
Bathing and grooming
Important
Follow your consultant’s advice regarding the shoulder movements you are allowed to make:
- while you put on and take off your sling
- while you wash your hair or your armpits.
Use the drop-down menu below for tips on bathing and grooming using one hand.
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If you wear a cast for dressing, remember not to get it wet. To avoid infection, keep wound sites dry until they have a chance to close. |
- To keep your cast dry, waterproof sleeves are available from pharmacists or via internet. You can also make your own, using a plastic bag and tape.
- Place your good arm in a bowl of water to wash most of that arm. To reach the armpit of your good arm, use your good hand to reach up under the armpit.
- Getting in and out of the bath may be restricted if you rely on your arms to bear your weight. This is because you may not be allowed to put pressure through your unhealed injury. Until your injury heals, you can try the following:
- sit on a bath board (a stable surface that allows people with limited mobility to slide into the bath safely)
- stand to shower
- strip wash.
- If you are unable to grip using one hand, try holding bottles and containers between your knees or against your body to open them. You can lay your toothbrush on a flat surface while you apply the toothpaste.
- If you have difficulty putting soap onto your flannel, put a little liquid soap into a bowl or basin with some warm water.
Clothes and dressing
Important
Remember your consultant's advice regarding your affected arm:
- how much you can move it
- how much weight you can put through it
- how long you will need to wear a sling.
Use the drop-down menu below for tips on clothes and dressing using one hand.
- If you wear a cast, you will need to wear baggy sleeves.
- If we have given you a poly sling, you will probably need to wear it all the time. This means you will need to wear tops that go easily over your sling.
- Avoid slippery or silky or tight clothing, because it will be more difficult to handle.
- Avoid buttons, catches and zips because they can be tricky to handle. Try and use Velcro or elastic fastening. For example an elasticated waist will be easier to manage than a zip.
- Front-fastening bras may be easier than back-fastening bras. Alternatively, secure bra fastenings at the front, then twist them around to the back back.
- Slip-on shoes, or shoes with Velcro fasteners or elastic laces may be easier to manage.
- Always dress your affected arm first and undress it last.
- Stabilise clothing using your unaffected arm. Hold the item of clothing in place and carry out all your main movements with your unaffected arm. Remember to avoid weight-bearing on your affected side.
- Using your unaffected hand, open out your socks between your thumb and index finger before putting them onto your feet.
- You can buy a range of dressing equipment that may help you with dressing activities. For example:
- a dressing stick to help you reach behind your back
- a button hook to do up your buttons
- a bra angel to help undo and do up your bra fastening.
Food preparation, cooking and eating
Use the drop-down menu below for tips on food preparation and cooking using one hand.
- If you are having an elective (pre-planned) procedure, you can prepare meals and freeze them ahead of time. This will save you having to prepare food after your operation.
- Buy sliced bread to avoid having to cut up a loaf.
- Place a slice of bread against a firm surface edge before buttering it, or use a buttering board.
- Buy frozen or pre-packed vegetables and ready meals, which need minimal preparation.
- Use a gas lighter instead of matches if you cook with gas.
- Be careful when handling hot food. Avoid cooking large quantities, and if possible, bring the dish out of the oven in stages. For example move it onto the oven door, then onto the hob, then onto a heat-resistant surface.
- Slide saucepans over the hob and across worktops. When stirring, put saucepans against the back of the hob so they are held securely.
- Fixing a guard around your hob may prevent accidents.
- Use a colander or straining spoon to strain vegetables, or put them into a chip basket before putting them into a saucepan. This will help the water to drain out when you lift them up.
- Empty water when it has gone cold to avoid scalding yourself.
- Fill a small jug from the tap and pour it into your kettle to avoid lifting a full kettle. Only use the amount of water that you need, every time you boil the kettle. Put your cup near to the kettle before you fill it.
- Put a wet cloth or non-slip mat underneath a bowl to prevent it from slipping when you are mixing food.
Eating
- Place dishes on a non-slip mats to stop your plate moving around while you use one hand to feed yourself.
- Use plates and bowls with a high rim. This stops food falling off your plate and gives you an edge to push food against while you load up your spoon or fork.
Washing dishes
- Soak your dishes before you wash them and use a bottle brush for glasses.
- Washing up is easier if you choose your cookware carefully. Use non-stick pans wherever possible.
- Place a dishcloth in the bottom of the washing up bowl to stabilise dishes.
- Wring out the dishcloth by looping it around a tap and twisting the two ends.
- Leave washed-up items to dry on a draining board or set them on a flat tea towel and dry them using another tea towel.
Cleaning and shopping
- You can complete many cleaning tasks using one hand. However, you may like to ask family and friends to help you or to hire a cleaner while you recover.
- If you live in a house and storage space allows, keep a second supply of essential cleaning supplies upstairs. You may also be able to keep a separate carpet sweeper or vacuum upstairs.
- Online shopping can be a convenient way to order groceries direct to your door. Contact your local supermarket for details.
Carrying things at home
- You can use one-handed trays to transfer meals or drinks. Put an anti-slip mat on table tops, to stop plates and cups sliding around.
- If you walk using an aid such as a wheeled Zimmer frame, crutches or a walking stick, use a tote bag over your stronger arm to carry items around.
- An occupational therapist may recommend a caddy or a kitchen trolley to help you transport your meals or items (see More information below).
Contact information
Kingston Hospital Occupational Therapy Team
Telephone: