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Updated: Mar 18, 2026
Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Published on: July 5, 2011
Activity levels after reverse shoulder arthroplasty
Matthias Bülhoff1, Boris Sowa1, Thomas Bruckner2
1Clinic for Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Schlierbacher Landstrasse 200a, 69118, Heidelberg, Germany.
Background:
Aim of this study was to analyze whether patients undergoing reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) surgery are able to successfully return to sports and afterwards.
Methods:
Thirty-eight patients treated with RSA for Cuff Tear Arthropathy (CTA) were included. Two sub-groups were built: Patients who have participated in sports activities within the last 5 years prior surgery [Group A: n = 21 (55 %)] and patients who have never participated in sports [Group B: n = 17 (45 %)]. Evaluation was based on a questionnaire asking types of sports, frequency, and time to return to sports.
Results:
Mean age in Group A at the time of surgery was 76.2 (65-85) years and 78.4 (68-92) years in Group B. Most patients were women [n = 35 (92 %)]. Mean follow-up was 4.8 years (2.4-9.4) years. Fifteen (71 %) patients in Group A participated in sports at the time prior to surgery. Fourteen (67 %) patients returned to sports after surgery. The returning rate was 93 %. Six (29 %) patients of Group A stated that one reason they underwent shoulder replacement surgery was to continue to participate in sports. All active patients performed swimming at final follow up.
Conclusions:
Most patients being active prior to reverse shoulder arthroplasty surgery are successfully able to return to their activity afterwards.
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