No difference in complications between two-week vs. six-week duration of sling immobilization after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty.

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%,  = .21), dislocation rate ( = .79), acromion stress fractures ( = .06), implant loosening ( = .15), and periprosthetic joint infections ( = .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 ( = .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.