By Nicky, Founder of Happy Cloud Adaptive
Getting dressed is something most of us never think twice about—until an injury, surgery, or limited arm movement makes it difficult.
If you’re recovering from shoulder surgery, wearing a sling, dealing with a broken collarbone, or temporarily unable to use one arm normally, even putting on a basic T-shirt can become frustrating.
This guide explains a simple one-arm dressing technique and shows how adaptive clothing can make the process easier to manage with less reaching, pulling, and overhead movement.
Why Is It So Difficult to Get Dressed With One Arm?
After an injury or surgery, you may be told to limit certain movements with the affected arm, such as lifting, reaching, or rotating the shoulder. That can make everyday clothing much harder to put on and take off.
People may need one-arm dressing techniques while dealing with:
• Shoulder surgery
• Rotator cuff repair
• Shoulder replacement
• Broken shoulder or collarbone
• Shoulder dislocation
• Wearing a sling or immobilizer
• Stroke recovery
• Other situations involving limited arm movement
A traditional T-shirt often requires reaching overhead or moving both arms through the sleeves. Learning a one-arm dressing technique can make the process more manageable while following the movement restrictions given by your healthcare team.
Step 1: Open the Adaptive Shirt Before Dressing
If you’re using a Happy Cloud adaptive T-shirt, open the snaps before you begin so the shirt can be positioned around your body instead of being pulled over your head.
Before dressing:
• Sit somewhere stable and comfortable.
• Open the adaptive closures on the shirt.
• Lay the shirt across your lap or beside you where it is easy to reach.
• Make sure the sleeve for your affected arm is easy to access.
Getting the shirt completely open first can reduce the amount of reaching, pulling, and overhead movement needed while getting dressed.
Step 2: Put the Affected Arm Into the Sleeve First
When dressing with one arm, start with the arm that has limited movement.
Using your stronger arm, gently guide the affected arm into the sleeve without forcing or lifting it beyond the movement limits given by your healthcare team.
Take your time and let the fabric move around the arm rather than trying to push the arm through the shirt.
If a caregiver is helping, they can guide the sleeve over the affected arm while supporting it as needed.
Once that arm is comfortably inside the sleeve, you can move on to positioning the rest of the shirt.
Step 3: Bring the Shirt Around Your Back
Once the affected arm is inside the sleeve, use your stronger arm to bring the rest of the shirt around your back and into position.
Because the adaptive shirt is already open, you do not need to force your injured arm through a tight neck opening or pull the shirt over your head.
Try to move the clothing around your body instead of moving the injured arm more than necessary.
If a caregiver is helping, they can gently guide the back of the shirt into place while you stay seated.
Step 4: Put Your Stronger Arm Into the Other Sleeve
Replace the text underneath with:
Once the shirt is positioned around your back, use your stronger arm to put on the remaining sleeve.
Because the affected arm is already in place, you can use your stronger side to help position the rest of the shirt without forcing extra movement from the injured arm.
Take your time and adjust the fabric until the shirt sits comfortably around your shoulders and body.
If a caregiver is helping, they can hold or guide the shirt while you place your stronger arm into the sleeve.
Step 5: Fasten the Adaptive Closures
Replace the text underneath with:
Once the shirt is positioned correctly, fasten the snaps to close the shirt around the shoulders and body.
Because the shirt opens up for dressing, you do not have to pull it over your head or force the affected arm through the shirt after it is already in place.
Take a moment to make sure:
• The shirt is sitting comfortably
• The closures are fully fastened
• No fabric is bunching around the affected shoulder
• Nothing feels like it is pulling on the injured arm
If a caregiver is helping, they can fasten the closures once the shirt is comfortably positioned.
Step 6: Reposition Your Sling After the Shirt Is On
If you are wearing a sling or immobilizer, reposition it after the shirt is fully on.
Check that:
• The sling is sitting the way your healthcare team instructed
• The shirt is not bunching underneath the sling
• The adaptive closures are fully fastened
• Nothing feels like it is pulling on the affected arm or shoulder
Follow the sling instructions given by your surgeon, physical therapist, or other healthcare professional.
How to Take the Shirt Off With One Arm
Taking the shirt off generally works in reverse.
- Open the adaptive closures.
- Remove your stronger arm from the sleeve first.
- Bring the shirt around your back and toward the affected side.
- Gently slide the sleeve off the affected arm without forcing the shoulder or arm.
If you have specific movement restrictions after surgery or an injury, follow the instructions given by your healthcare team.
Tips for Caregivers
Helping someone get dressed with limited use of one arm can be easier when the clothing opens around the body instead of needing to be pulled overhead.
When helping someone dress:
• Let the person do as much as they comfortably can on their own
• Guide the affected arm into the sleeve first
• Move the clothing around the body rather than forcing the injured arm to move
• Keep the person seated somewhere stable if that makes dressing easier
• Follow any movement restrictions provided by their healthcare team
Adaptive clothing can give caregivers another option when traditional shirts are difficult to put on.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Pulling a tight shirt over your head if it requires movements you’ve been told to limit
❌ Lifting or rotating the affected arm beyond the instructions from your healthcare team
❌ Rushing through the dressing process
❌ Forcing the arm through a sleeve if something feels stuck or painful
❌ Ignoring the movement restrictions given after surgery or injury
If you are unsure what movements are safe for your specific injury or procedure, follow the instructions from your surgeon, physical therapist, or other healthcare professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a shirt on with one arm?
Yes. By dressing your injured arm first and using clothing designed for recovery, getting dressed can become much easier.
What type of shirt is best after shoulder surgery?
Shirts with shoulder snap openings or adaptive designs allow patients to get dressed with much less movement than traditional T-shirts.
Should I wear loose clothing after surgery?
Most surgeons recommend loose-fitting clothing during recovery because it reduces pressure and allows easier movement while healing.
Are shoulder snap shirts only for surgery patients?
No. They're also helpful for people recovering from broken collarbones, rotator cuff injuries, stroke, shoulder replacements, arthritis, and anyone with limited arm mobility.
Can caregivers use adaptive shirts?
Absolutely. Adaptive clothing makes it easier for caregivers to help patients get dressed safely while reducing unnecessary lifting and strain.
Recover Comfortably With Happy Cloud Adaptive Clothing
Recovering from an injury or surgery is challenging enough without struggling to get dressed every morning.
At Happy Cloud Adaptive Clothing, we believe getting dressed should support your recovery—not slow it down.
Our shoulder snap adaptive shirts are designed to make dressing easier for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals by reducing unnecessary movement and improving comfort throughout the healing process.
Whether you're recovering from shoulder surgery, wearing a sling, or helping a loved one regain independence, the right clothing can make a meaningful difference every day.
Browse our collection of adaptive recovery shirts and discover a simpler, more comfortable way to get dressed.
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