Introduction: Sling wear is a component of rehabilitation after shoulder surgery. The purposes of this study were to observe the predictors of sling wear and to determine if a threshold of sling compliance improved patient-reported outcomes.
Methods: We performed a prospective observational study of 105 postoperative patients fitted with temperature-sensing slings to monitor adherence. Demographic factors were analyzed as predictors of sling wear. The relationship of actual sling wear with patient reported and radiographic outcome was explored. Results: There was a weak correlation between patient reported and actual sling wear time. Females and patients with lower BMI were most likely to be 80% adherent with sling wear and exhibited better patient reported outcomes but no difference in radiographic failures.
Conclusion: There is an association between high adherence and patient reported outcome. Further studies will elicit the social mediators of postoperative sling behavior and treatments to improve patient adherence and outcome.