St Andrew's War Memorial Hospital ยท Spring Hill, Brisbane For referrers 07 3063 5500
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Caring for Your Armpit After Surgery

With the arm held against the body in a sling, the armpit needs a little attention. This guide shows how to wash it without disturbing the repair.

Why the armpit needs attention

How do you wash your armpit after shoulder surgery when you have to wear a sling to protect the repair or reconstruction? While the arm is held against the body, the skin of the armpit stays warm and closed in, so it is worth keeping clean and dry. The difficulty is doing that without moving the shoulder in a way that loads the repair.

Watch how it is done

In this video our physiotherapist Lucy shows you how.

Related guides

More patient videos and the recovery guides for each operation are on the rehabilitation page.

These instructions are general guidance for patients of Dr Kenneth Cutbush. Your own instructions may differ depending on your procedure. Always follow the advice given to you by Dr Cutbush and your physiotherapist. If something does not look or feel right, contact the rooms on (07) 3063 5500.