Challenges with sling use following shoulder surgery: the patients' perspective.

Background: The purpose of this study was to survey patients who had recently undergone shoulder surgery to assess the challenges they faced while immobilized in a sling and how they overcame those challenges, in order to improve future patient outcomes and satisfaction. Methods: A retrospective survey, completed 3 months after surgery, asked patients to detail the activities of daily living (ADLs) they found to be challenging while immobilized. Patients across multiple sites quantitatively and qualitatively described their problems and discussed both the amount of help required and the individual methods to complete ADLs. Statistical analysis was performed using an unpaired, two tailed T-test. Results: Three hundred patients noted the most difficult activities while living with the sling were sleeping, bathing, and dressing. 84.5% of patients had difficulty sleeping for an average of 6.5 weeks. 51.8% of patients needed help bathing, 47.5% of patients required help drying off, and 71.1% of patients required help dressing while immobilized. Before completing ADLs on their own, patients required 10.5, 11.5, and 14.8 days of help to bathe, dry, and dress, respectively. Though not statistically significant, patients required less help completing ADLs if they had surgery on their nondominant arm or prior shoulder surgery. Conclusion: Sleeping is difficult for most patients while immobilized. Bathing, drying, and dressing require an adaptation period of 2 weeks until patients can complete these activities more independently. Informing patients of challenges they will face while immobilized will help set expectations and may lead to improved clinical outcomes.