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

June 9, 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

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

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

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

40

Phase

  • 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 Backup

Study Locations

  • Spain
    • Catalonia
      • L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain, 08907
        • 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

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
Intervention / Treatment
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

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

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

Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge

Investigators

  • 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 (Estimated)

June 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

December 15, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

June 15, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 9, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 9, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 12, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 12, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 9, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID 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.

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