Objectives: Sling immobilization is commonly used following rotator cuff repair. The purpose of this study was to determine the detrimental impact of sling usage on mobility and balance in an older adult population through validated gait and balance testing. The authors hypothesize that sling use will negatively affect balance and stability.
Methods: This institutional review board-approved and registered randomized prospective clinical trial enrolled patients from 2019 to 2021. Following informed consent, patients were randomized into two groups: a sling worn (group 1) and no sling worn (group 2). Participants were assessed via the Edmonton Frail Scale as well as Tinetti gait and balance scoring.
Results: Fifty patients were included in the study, 23 (46%) men and 27 (54%) women, with a mean age of 72.2 years. The balance score median was 16.00 for participants not wearing a sling and 15.00 for participants wearing a sling. The gait score median was 12.00 for participants not wearing a sling and 11.50 for participants wearing a sling. The balance and gait scores were significantly greater when patients were not wearing a shoulder sling with values of 0.006 and 0.011, respectively. The overall combined gait and balance score was significantly greater, with median values of 27.00 for participants not wearing a sling and 26.00 for participants wearing a sling ( = 0.001). Patients reported little to no anxiety about falling while wearing the sling, with a score of 0.16.
Conclusions: Postoperative sling immobilization negatively affects balance and gait in the geriatric population, potentially increasing the risk of postoperative falls in an already at-risk population.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.14423/SMJ.0000000000001665 | DOI Listing |
Am J Sports Med
January 2025
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Background: Sleep disturbance is commonly reported by patients wearing an abduction brace after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR). Although a sling has been proven noninferior to an abduction brace for function and repair integrity, there is no evidence-based medical support for the advantage of the sling in improving sleep quality compared with a brace.
Purpose/hypothesis: This study aimed to compare the effects of a sling and an abduction brace on sleep quality and clinical outcomes after ARCR.
South Med J
March 2024
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
Objectives: Sling immobilization is commonly used following rotator cuff repair. The purpose of this study was to determine the detrimental impact of sling usage on mobility and balance in an older adult population through validated gait and balance testing. The authors hypothesize that sling use will negatively affect balance and stability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
July 2023
Plastic Surgery, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, USA.
Introduction: Upper extremity slings (UESs) are frequently provided for patients with a hand or forearm injury. However, their effect on balance has not been well explored. We sought to characterize the effect of a UES on balance in young adults.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Shoulder Elbow Surg
July 2023
Department of Orthopedics, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Shaanxi Province, China. Electronic address:
Background: To date, no conclusions have been reached regarding the type of brace worn after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. To this end, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted.
Methods: According to the updated guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, all related literature in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, from their establishment to March 1, 2022, were searched systematically.
Int Urogynecol J
August 2023
The Aberdeen Centre for Women's Health Research, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, AB25 2ZD, Aberdeen, UK.
Introduction And Hypothesis: Clinical trials for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) require a robust, reliable, and responsive tool for objective assessment of SUI post-intervention. The Aberdeen Home Continence Stress Test (HCST) is a novel patient-reported objective assessment tool, aimed to be patient-friendly and reduce attrition rates by avoiding hospital appointments and prolonged pad-wearing. We aim to describe the HCST for the first time and evaluate its reliability, diagnostic accuracy, and response to change.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!