Sling vs. Dynamic Shoulder Stabilizer After Soft Tissue Shoulder Instability Surgery (SLIDY) (SLIDY)

June 15, 2026 updated by: Abdul-ilah Hachem, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge

Sling vs. Dynamic Shoulder Stabilizer After Soft Tissue Shoulder Instability Surgery ("SLIDY"): A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing Feasibility, Early Functional Recovery, and Structural Healing

This randomized controlled trial seeks to address a significant clinical gap by evaluating the outcomes of two postoperative immobilization methods following arthroscopic soft tissue surgery for anterior shoulder instability: a standard static arm sling and a dynamic shoulder orthosis.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

The present study is a pilot trial that aims to compare outcomes between patients immobilized using a standard arm sling and those managed with a dynamic shoulder orthosis (specifically, the medi® Shoulder action brace) following arthroscopic soft tissue stabilization for anterior shoulder instability. This trial will evaluate the impact of these two immobilization methods on early shoulder function, pain, recurrence, and patient satisfaction, while primarily assessing the feasibility of a future definitive trial. This is a prospective, single-center, pilot randomized controlled trial with parallel groups. Participants will be allocated in a 1:1 ratio to either the dynamic orthosis or the standard sling. The trial seeks to determine whether dynamic immobilization designed to facilitate controlled activity offers measurable advantages in early function, comfort, or recurrence risk compared to standard arm slings.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
40

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Spain
    • Catalonia
      • L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain, 08907
        • Recruiting
        • Bellvitge University Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Abdul-ilah Hachem, MD
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Hady Ezzeddine, MD
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Xavi Rius, MD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Adults aged ≥18 years undergoing arthroscopic soft-tissue stabilization for anterior shoulder instability (Bankart repair ± Hill-Sachs remplissage).
  • Ability and willingness to comply with the study protocol and scheduled follow-ups.
  • Provision of written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Significant glenoid bone loss requiring bony augmentation procedures (e.g., bone block procedures, Latarjet).
  • Concomitant rotator cuff repair or fracture fixation.
  • Contraindication to MRI (e.g., pacemaker, claustrophobia, incompatible implants).
  • Cognitive impairment, language barriers, or logistical inability to attend follow-up visits.
  • Previous ipsilateral shoulder surgery.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Dynamic Immobilizer
Continuous wear of the dynamic shoulder orthosis for 3 weeks post-surgery, followed by a standardized physiotherapy protocol.
Device: Dynamic Immobilizer
An adjustable strap system applied immediately post-surgery that permits movement of the shoulder joint while simultaneously limiting potentially harmful ranges of motion and translations. It is worn continuously for 3 weeks.
Other Names:
  • medi® Shoulder action brace
Active Comparator: Standard Arm Sling
Continuous wear of a conventional fabric arm sling for 3 weeks post-surgery, followed by a standardized physiotherapy protocol.
Device: Conventional fabric arm sling
Static immobilization using a conventional fabric arm sling applied immediately post-surgery and worn continuously for 3 weeks.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Feasibility composite (Recruitment, Retention, and Adherence)
Time Frame: Up to 12 months post-surgery.
Evaluation of the feasibility of conducting a definitive randomized controlled trial by measuring the recruitment rate (percentage of eligible enrolled), retention/follow-up completion rates, and protocol adherence (self-reported and therapist-verified). Safety and device-related adverse events will also be recorded.
Up to 12 months post-surgery.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI)
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
Patient-reported functional outcome assessing quality of life related to shoulder instability.
Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
Rowe Score
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
Clinical assessment of shoulder stability, mobility, and function.
Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
Constant-Murley Score
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
Clinical assessment of general shoulder function, including pain, activities of daily living, range of motion, and strength.
Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV)
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
Patient-reported subjective function of the shoulder expressed as a percentage of a normal shoulder.
Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
Range of Motion (ROM)
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
Active and passive flexion, abduction, and rotation measured via standardized goniometry by two blinded assessors.
Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) Score
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
Patient-reported outcome measure assessing physical function, symptoms, and related quality of life of the upper extremity.
Baseline, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.
MRI Evaluation of Structural Healing
Time Frame: Between 6 and 12 months post-surgery.
Assessment of capsulolabral integrity and bone defect remodeling, scored as intact, partial, or re-tear by two blinded physicians.
Between 6 and 12 months post-surgery.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Abdul-ilah Hachem, MD, Head of the Shoulder Unit, Department of Orthopaedics, Bellvitge Univeristy Hospital

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
June 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 15, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
June 15, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
June 9, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 9, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
June 12, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 17, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 15, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • ICPS037/25 (Other Identifier: Bellvitge Hospital Institutional Review Board (CEIm))

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Data will be anonymized and stored in encrypted institutional servers in accordance with GDPR and HIPAA regulations. No data will be transferred to third parties outside the study team.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Cookie Settings

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. For more details carefully read our Privacy and Cookies Policy. ...>>>You can change your preferences or withdraw your consent at any time by deleting the cookies from your website or computer as described in the policy. Please accept it and choose your preferences by ticking the corresponding boxes in the "Manage Settings" section below. Please carefully read our Terms of Service before you proceed with using any part of this website.
«Manage Settings