Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2025
Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Published on: July 5, 2011
No difference in complications between two-week vs. six-week duration of sling immobilization after reverse total
Matthew G Alben1,2, Neil Gambhir1, Matthew T Kingery1
1Division of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA.
Background:
The purpose of our study was to compare the outcomes and complications after a two- vs. six-week duration of sling immobilization following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA).
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective review from our institutional database on 960 patients treated by primary rTSA between 2011 and 2021. Patients were separated into two cohorts of postoperative sling immobilization (a two-week and six-week group). Multivariate analysis was conducted to evaluate what factors were associated with patients experiencing either a postoperative complication or requiring reoperation.
Results:
A total of 276 patients were instructed to keep their operative arm in a sling for six weeks postoperatively, and 684 patients discontinued use at two weeks. There was no difference in postoperative complication rate (15.0% vs. 12.0%, P = .21), dislocation rate (P = .79), acromion stress fractures (P = .06), implant loosening (P = .15), and periprosthetic joint infections (P = .48) between the six- and two-week sling cohorts. In the immediate 90-day postoperative time period, no difference was seen in the reoperation rates (P = .73).
Discussion:
Shorter duration of sling immobilization (two weeks) does not incur additional risk of complications compared to standard duration (six weeks) of sling immobilization following rTSA.
