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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Patients who skipped the sling after reverse shoulder arthroplasty fared just as well as those who wore one for six weeks, according to interim trial results. The study of 70 patients found no significant differences in range of motion, pain scores, or complications at up to nine months. This could give surgeons more flexibility to tailor recovery protocols, especially for older or independent-living patients.
Skipping the sling after shoulder replacement may not set patients back
For decades, slings have been standard post-op gear after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) — but new interim data suggest that strict, weeks-long immobilization might not be necessary for everyone. Presented at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, a prospective controlled trial found no meaningful differences in outcomes between patients who wore a sling for six weeks and those who discontinued use at their own discretion once their nerve block resolved.
The study enrolled 100 patients (50 per group), matched by age, gender, and surgical indication. Over an average nine-month follow-up, researchers tracked range of motion, patient-reported outcomes, and complications — and found the two groups were statistically indistinguishable.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: If confirmed with longer follow-up, these findings could allow surgeons to individualize post-op protocols — offering greater independence to patients, especially older adults, without sacrificing clinical outcomes.
