Function of the upper extremity and ability to perform housework following reconstructive surgery of the shoulder...

The cases of two female patients who underwent reconstructive surgery using free vascularized fibular bone grafting of the proximal humerus are reported. Both patients were evaluated 1 year postoperatively for active range of motion; an Enneking evaluation and activities-of-daily-living (housework) assessment were also done. Patient 1 regained flexion and abduction to 110 degrees, and patient 2 regained flexion and abduction to 90 degrees. On the Enneking test, the patients achieved scores of 23 and 25 points, respectively. On the activities-of-daily-living housework assessment, patient 1 performed at 91.0% and patient 2 at 60.6%. In both cases, neither active range of motion nor the Enneking scores accurately reflected the functional abilities of the reconstructed limbs. It is important that upper extremity therapists evaluate and consider functional abilities in activities of daily living, such as housework, in the early phases of rehabilitation.