Sling Versus Abduction Brace Shoulder Immobilization After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Systematic Review and...

The optimal immobilization position of the shoulder after rotator cuff repair is controversial.

To compare the clinical outcomes and incidence of retears after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair between patients who used an abduction brace versus a sling for postoperative shoulder immobilization.

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 1.

This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. We searched the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase electronic databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared abduction brace and sling immobilization after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using single-row, double-row, or suture-bridge fixation. Clinical scores, pain severity, and retear rates were compared between patients with abduction brace versus sling immobilization.

Of 1572 retrieved studies, 4 RCTs with a total of 224 patients (112 patients with abduction brace and 112 patients with sling) were included in the qualitative analysis, and 3 of the RCTs were included in the quantitative analysis (meta-analysis). There were no significant differences between the abduction brace and sling immobilization groups in the Constant-Murley score at 3 months (weighted mean difference [WMD], 0.26 [95% CI, -1.30 to 1.83]; P = .74; I ² = 84%), 6 months (WMD, 1.91 [95% CI, -0.17 to 4.00]; P = .07; I ² = 85%), and 12 months (WMD, 0.55 [95% CI, -1.37 to 2.47]; P = .57; I ² = 0%); the visual analog scale score for pain at 1 week (WMD, 0.10 [95% CI, -0.20 to 0.41]; P = .51; I ² = 0%), 3 weeks (WMD, -0.12 [95% CI, -0.34 to 1.00]; P = .29; I ² = 0%), 6 weeks (WMD, -0.12 [95% CI, -0.30 to 0.06]; P = .20; I ² = 0%), and 12 weeks (WMD, -0.13 [95% CI, -0.27 to 0.02]; P = .09; I ² = 18%); or the retear rate at 3 months (risk ratio, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.09 to 4.23]; P = .64; Z = 0.47%) postoperatively.

Our systematic review demonstrated a lack of significant differences between the abduction brace and sling immobilization groups regarding postoperative clinical scores, pain severity, and tendon healing.