Are there any government or private rebates for purchasing a shoulder brace for subluxation (costing over $100)?

Hi there,

Thank you for your post. My colleague Simone is an occupational therapist and best suited to respond. She works on Mondays-Wednesdays and will be in touch early next week. 

If you'd prefer a return call or an emailed response, please send us your contact details via email.

Kind Regards,

Lisa - Speech Pathologist, StrokeLine.

Ph: 1800 787 653 or Email: strokeline@strokefoundation.com.au

Hi again,

Thank you for your enquiry. I would suggest you enquire with the aids and equipment scheme in your state to see if they fund small aids like shoulder supports/braces.

For example in Victoria, we have State Wide Equipment Program:

https://swep.bhs.org.au/available-items-and-subsidy.php

If you need help with identifying the state scheme please call 1800 787 653.

Best wishes,

Simone (Occupational Therapist)

This sounds like something "reasonable and necessary" that would be covered by the NDIS. 

Cheers,

Adrian.

Hi

In Queensland there is the MASS scheme - Medical Aids Subsidy Scheme. This is the link.

https://www.health.qld.gov.au/mass/subsidy-schemes/mass.asp

You should be able to find similar schemes in other States.  Your GP should know of the scheme and arrange it for you.

One thing my friends use is a hemi-sling which costs around $250.  I don't know if this is what the OT wants for you.

Another way is if you have an ACAT assessment that has led to your having a service provider to help provide help that you need.  If you do not use all of your funding each week it accumulates and the accumulation can be used to buy necessary equipment.

Hope this helps. For more information you can contact me at Stroke Association of Qld or Synapse on 07 3137 7400 Mondays to Fridays.

Robbie

I would like to offer a comment about the research on shoulder supports. I understand that stroke survivors who have a paralysed, non functional arm may want a sling to support their heavy limb when walking around or standing. However, there is currently no evidence that a sling worn during standing/transfers/walking, or a laptray used when sitting reduces shoulder subluxation or pain.

A recent randomised trial completed in 3 hospitals in Sydney & Norway, and published in 2016, showed no benefit when inpatients during rehabilitation consistently wore a triangular bandage/support when standing, and used a laptray when sitting - over 4 weeks - compared to a control group that wore a commercially available 'hemi-sling' during sitting and standing. There was no difference in subluxation, and only a small but non-significant difference in pain.

Link here to Ada L et al (2016) Lap trays and triangular slings are no more effective than a hemi-sling in preventing shoulder subluxation in those at risk early after stroke: A randomised controlled trial. European J Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27327391

Implications:  "A lap-tray used when sitting in hospital or at home, combined with a triangular sling during standing, is no more effective than a hemi-sling in preventing subluxation, pain, contracture and activity limitation in acute stroke survivors at risk of shoulder subluxation".

As an occupational therapist I am not convinced that ANY shoulder support is any different from the 'hemi-sling' - none appear to provide consistent support, regardless of the cost or materials used. If a person wants SOME support when walking, a cotton triangular bandage is not harmful, and inexpensive to buy from a chemist.

What else can a therapist recommend, or a stroke survivor use if the shoulder is painful or subluxed? Alternative strategies with some evidence of (limited) effect include electrical stimulation and shoulder taping. In the early stages after a stroke (ie first 3 months) I would also be actively trying to get muscles around the shoulder to contract.