Unfortunately, there are many different types of injuries you can experience in your shoulder. That means your shoulder pain could be stemming from a dislocation, sprain, strain, separation, tendinitis, torn rotator cuff, or even something else.
If you’ve recently undergone a shoulder injury, then you’re likely in a lot of pain and searching for the right treatment. It can be stressful to not know where to get started.
Fortunately, when you get the best shoulder brace for pain, you can help your shoulder heal faster while doing many of your everyday activities.
But how do you choose the right shoulder brace for you? That’s why we’ve put together this article. In this brace guide, we’ll review everything you need to know about finding the shoulder brace that’s right for you.
Let’s make one thing clear, though - theDonjoy Sully Shoulder Brace is the best brace for shoulder injuries and pain in 2023. And it’s just a few clicks away at Ortho BRacing where you’ll gain world-class support and the lowest prices online!
Finally, you can start healing and moving on from your injury. First things first -do you even need the best shoulder support brace?
Do You Need the Best Shoulder Support Brace?
Before we unveil the best shoulder brace for pain and recovery, let’s determine if you even need it in the first place. So,what does a shoulder brace do?
Shoulder braces are usually used when you’ve had an injury affecting your shoulder. By combining physical therapy with your brace, you can get closer to your recovery, faster. Some braces immobilize your shoulder and arm so you can heal faster.
Others, likeshoulder compression sleeves, provide compression and are ideal for athletes. These types of braces give the wearer support and protection while still making it possible for the athlete with a mild injury to continue performing.
The key is choosing the best shoulder support brace based on your injury and rehab needs. We’ll talk about that next. First, let’s unpack a few common use cases for shoulder braces.
- Dislocated Shoulder: Dislocations often occur from direct trauma such as during sports. A shoulder brace can immobilize the area to allow healing while offering support post-surgery.
- Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: Frequent upward arm movements can lead to SIP. This results in bone spurs trapping rotator cuff tendons. Thus, limiting movement and reducing pain becomes crucial. The DonJoy Sully is the best shoulder support brace for rotator cuff injuries in particular - more on that later.
- ACJ Injuries: The acromioclavicular joint, situated at the top of the shoulder, is prone to injuries, especially in athletes. Shoulder braces can reduce inflammation and swelling upon injury. Post-surgery, a brace ensures stability and aids recovery.
- Labral Tears: The labrum, a cushion surrounding the shoulder socket, can tear from falls or direct blows. A shoulder brace promotes blood circulation to the labrum while also offering support, alleviating pain, and assisting in repairing the tear.
- Rotator Cuff Tears: This crucial tendon group provides shoulder stability and mobility. Injuries here can lead to significant pain and weakness.A brace supports and immobilizes the area, preventing the tear from worsening. As healing occurs, the brace helps reinforce the area, minimizing the risk of future injuries.
- Shoulder Arthritis: Arthritis can cause stiffness and pain in the shoulder due to the degradation of natural lubrication. A shoulder brace can alleviate some of the discomfort. Consistent usage might slow the progression of arthritis or even provide preventive benefits.
As you can see, there are many use cases for a shoulder brace. But you also know that not all braces are made equal. So, how do you find the best one for your unique needs?
How to Choose the Best Shoulder Brace For Your Unique Needs
In order to find the best shoulder brace for you, you'll need to understand what brace types are available and what’s included in these products. But it all starts with diagnosing your injury.
Type of Injury or Condition
Your specific injury or condition can greatly influence the kind of brace you need.
- For dislocations, a brace that offers strong immobilization is crucial.
- If you suffer from rotator cuff issues, you should seek out braces that provide targeted compression to that area.
- Those suffering from arthritis or chronic pain might benefit from braces offering mild compression combined with heat therapy features.
Finding the Right Brace For That Purpose
Every shoulder brace is designed with a specific purpose in mind - be it support, stability, compression, or something else. It’s just a matter of choosing a brace that’s designed specifically for your injury or goals.
If you're an athlete looking to reduce the risk of future injuries, you'll need a preventive brace that offers flexibility without compromising on support.
On the other hand, if you've recently had a shoulder injury or surgery, a more restrictive brace that focuses on immobilizing the joint to facilitate healing might be the way to go.
Level of Mobility
Depending on your daily activities and stage of recovery, you might need a brace that offers a high level of mobility. Such braces are designed to provide protection while not hindering your range of motion.
However, for fresh injuries or post-operative recovery, a brace that limits mobility can be beneficial to prevent re-injury. You don’t want to be able to move the shoulder in these cases.
Material & Comfort
Breathable materials like neoprene are popular choices as they allow sweat to evaporate, ensuring comfort even during extended wear. Look for hypoallergenic materials to prevent skin reactions if you have sensitive skin.
Adjustability
The perfect fit is essential for effective support. Adjustable straps, whether they're Velcro or buckles, can help customize the fit to your body. Ensure the strap length is suitable for your size, offering a snug but comfortable grip.
Support Features
Additional features such as stabilizing straps can offer extra security, especially for more severe injuries. On the other hand, gel or foam padding can enhance comfort, especially if you need to wear the brace for long durations.
Duration of Wear
Some braces are designed for short durations - like during a sports activity. Others can be worn throughout the day and even at night. Ensure the brace you choose aligns with your intended wear duration.
User Reviews and Feedback
Reviews can be invaluable. Users’ real-world experiences can provide insights into comfort, durability, and overall effectiveness.
Don’t form an opinion just based on a few reviews. Instead, look forpatterns in reviews. If multiple users mention the same issue or benefit, it's likely to be a consistent feature of the product.
Price vs Value
Price shouldn't be your only consideration. A higher-priced brace from a reputable brand with excellent reviews might offer better value in the long run than a cheaper, lower-quality option.
The good news? When you shop at Ortho Bracing, you get the lowest prices possible on the best products from the top brands. No more stressing over budget as you look to jumpstart your healing journey.
With that being said, what is the best shoulder brace for rotator cuff injury, general pain, or some other condition? It’s time we introduced you to what we believe to be the best shoulder support brace on the market.
So, What is the Best Shoulder Brace for Pain, Injury, Support, and Other Use Cases?
Dealing with shoulder pain, especially after an injury, is not just debilitating but can severely impact your quality of life.
But with the right support, you can navigate the challenges of recovery with a lot more ease and comfort.
When it comes to providing this essential support, theDonJoy Sully stands out as the superior choice. Here's why.
DonJoy Sully Shoulder Brace: Our #1 Pick for the Best Shoulder Support Brace in 2023
Donjoy products have a reputation of excellence. From theDonjoy Iceman Clear 3 toDonjoy back braces,Donjoy knee braces, and now, the Donjoy Sully Shoulder Brace.
The DonJoy® Sully Shoulder Brace addresses an array of issues:
- Anterior, multi-directional, inferior, and posterior instabilities: Whether your instability is coming from the front, back, or even multiple directions, this brace ensures the shoulder is well-secured.
- Rotator cuff deceleration: A common concern among athletes, this brace ensures that the rotator cuff remains protected and stable.
- Shoulder AC separations & muscle strains: The unique design cushions and supports, alleviating pain and aiding healing.
But -what exactly makes this is the best shoulder support brace?There are quite a few reasons we’re so passionate about this brace. They can really be summarized as comfort and performance, though.
The brace is designed to maximize comfort through a breathable, lightweight neoprene material that ensures you’re not soaked in sweat. It’s also hypoallergenic so you can stop stressing about irritations.
Furthermore, the interior's perforated design ensures that the brace moves with you, making it feel almost like a second skin.
Whether you need support on your left or right shoulder, this brace's universal design caters to both. The provided instructions, complete with imagery, guide you step by step, ensuring you wear it correctly, maximizing its benefits.
With its donut-shaped foam pad, the brace ensures the AC joint gets added protection. This innovation is pivotal for those recovering from severe injuries or post-operative healing. Moreover, the brace doesn't rely on restrictive straps, ensuring you're not bogged down.
Beyond just protection, the neoprene straps of the Sully Shoulder Brace provide resistance. This means while it supports, it's also working those muscles, preventing them from weakening during periods of less usage.
See What Real Users Had to Say:
We could go on and on about why we feel the Donjoy Sully is the best shoulder brace in 2023.
But why not hear from individuals who have been in your position and used the brace to regain control of their lives and heal from injuries fast?
Here are just a few of the countless reviews we’ve gotten on this brace:
“I used this brace on a skiing trip just two weeks after a partial dislocation and it was worth every penny. The included straps did wonders for providing additional directional support. I don't think I would have been able to have such an enjoyable skiing experience without the confidence afforded to me by this brace. Hands down the best brace I've ever used.” - R.
“This is the best fitting shoulder brace I've used. The pressure and snugness can be increased or decreased depending on your discomfort level. The Best One I've ever used. Ohh! I've used 3-5 of them.” - David
“My husband has a significant labra tear and was in a great deal of pain with most activities. This brace provides the support he needs (configured in the multi-directional instability fashion) to carry out his daily duties.”- Melinda
Why You Can Count on Ortho Bracing For the Best Shoulder Support Braces
At Ortho Bracing, we're on a mission to help you heal from injuries or rehab surgeries fast. Our commitment to quality, unmatched prices, lightning-fast shipping, and world-class support have made us leaders in our domain.
We understand the pain, the challenge, and the journey to recovery, which is why we stand by the DonJoy® Sully Shoulder Brace. It embodies everything we believe in - quality, support, and comfort.
Other Alternatives Worth Exploring
The Donjoy Sully is undoubtedly the best shoulder support brace. But if you’re looking for alternatives in the meantime, here are a few options:
- Posture Brace: Designed to pull your shoulders back, promoting an upright stance. It offers immediate postural benefits, especially for those constantly hunched over desks or computers. However, consistent/extended use can inadvertently weaken the very muscles it's meant to support. The body may become dependent on the brace for maintaining posture, especially if used without combining it with strengthening exercises.
- Arm Sling: Designed to immobilize and support the injured area, preventing movements that might exacerbate the injury. The immediate benefits of an arm sling are evident, but its extended use, especially without proper physiotherapy, can sometimes lead to decreased mobility in the joint. It can also contribute to muscle atrophy if the arm remains inactive for extended periods.
- Shoulder Taping: This involves the strategic application of Kinesio tape to offer support to the injured shoulder area. It can provide substantial relief from pain and aid in reducing inflammation. However, efficacy largely hinges on its correct application - a skill that requires practice and expertise. Moreover, there's always the risk of the tape coming undone, especially during physical activities, reducing its effectiveness.
Tips on Making the Most of Your New Shoulder Brace
There’s no question that Donjoy makes the best brace for shoulder injuries and pain. But how do you actually go about using it to make the most of your investment? Here are some tips on your next steps…
Key Accessories to Consider
Additional accessories for your shoulder brace include cushions for your seat and bed, compression garments, additional sleeves and braces, and extra pieces of the shoulder brace itself in case some of them come loose or start to fray.
Actually Using a Shoulder Brace
To use a shoulder brace, you first have to put it over your shoulder. The middle bar should be parallel to the top of your arm and your elbow joint. The strap will go around your back, after which you’ll secure it with the buckle.
As for the padded sleeve, this will go under your axilla, or opposite arm, for comfort. You also may need to readjust the straps so they will fit correctly.
It also may help to have a medical professional show you first how to put it on so that you can then do it correctly at home.
Other Shoulder Rehab Methods to Try
Your doctor can help you come up with additional tactics for speeding up your recovery and eliminating pain/discomfort in the meantime.
For example, they might provide you with exercises you can try out to improve your shoulder injury. If using the shoulder brace for posture, you can use self-correction strategies instead.
At-home cryotherapy is another popular method for reducing shoulder pain.Breg products like thePolar Care Cube andPolar Care Wave are popular, affordable options and come with shoulder pads designed to reduce pain and swelling.
These are the top choices for individuals looking for anice machine for shoulder.
You can learn more about using cold therapy to reduce pain in our blog where you’ll find resources likeheat vs cold therapy,how long to use ice machine after surgery,how to reduce swelling after surgery, and more. Otherwise, check out our selection ofpolar ice machines, or read our guide to choosing the bestice machine for shoulder surgery.
Maintaining the Brace
When you are not wearing your brace you can clean it. The more you maintain your shoulder brace, the longer it will last - so it’s worth protecting your investment.
If your sleeve doesn’t have any metal components, you can launder it every few days. If it’s a larger brace with a metal structure, you should use a damp washcloth to wipe it down at the end of each day. You can also use baby wipes to do this.
Some braces, such as ones with hinged braces, need to be lubricated so they keep working. If you notice that any parts have come loose or are fraying, you should replace these parts. If the entire brace is connected without any removable parts, you might have to get a new one.
Wrapping Up Our Guide to the Best Shoulder Brace for Pain in 2023
Now that you’ve learned about how to find the best shoulder brace for you, you might need additional information. Maybe you want to learn about which exercises will help your recover best. Or maybe you want to learn about the best shoulder braces available.
Whatever information you need, we can help. At Ortho Bracing, we’re experts when it comes to orthopedic solutions. We also offer many products to help you in your recovery. To learn about these products, check them out now. Otherwise, head over to our site and get the best shoulder brace today!
