Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty and Work-Related Outcomes

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Rehabilitative Medicine
• Geriatric Care

Background:

• Increasing average retirement age and broadened indications for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA).
• Need for objective data on return to work after RTSA in an aging population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the rate and time to return to work following RTSA.
• To identify factors influencing return to work after RTSA.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective data collection of patients undergoing RTSA (2007-2013).
• Patient questionnaires assessing work history and return to work status.
• Analysis of demographic, clinical, and functional outcomes.

Main Results:

• 65% of working patients returned to work after RTSA, with an average return time of 2.3 months.
• Sedentary jobs (1.4 months) had faster return times than light work (4.0 months).
• Previous heart disease was the only factor significantly affecting return to work (P=.04).

Conclusions:

• RTSA enables a significant majority of patients to return to work, often within 3 months.
• Surgical outcomes are generally excellent, with minimal work retirement attributed to the shoulder.
• Job type influences return to work timelines, highlighting the importance of vocational considerations.