Risk factors for post-operative shoulder stiffness: are there new candidates?

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Surgical Research

Background:

• Shoulder stiffness (SS) is a potential complication following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
• Identifying risk factors is crucial for preventing and managing SS.
• Previous literature has not extensively detailed the incidence and specific risk factors for SS after this procedure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of postoperative shoulder stiffness (SS) after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
• To evaluate potential risk factors associated with the development of SS.
• To investigate the novel association between gastroesophageal diseases and SS.

Main Methods:

• Prospective investigation of SS incidence in 75 patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
• Retrospective documentation of 20 potential risk factors.
• Statistical analysis to identify significant associations between risk factors and SS development.

Main Results:

• The incidence of postoperative SS was 10.4%.
• All patients who developed SS were female, with sex being a significant risk factor (p=0.0067).
• Gastroesophageal diseases were significantly associated with SS development (p=0.0046).

Conclusions:

• The incidence of SS after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is within previously reported ranges.
• Female sex is a significant risk factor for developing SS.
• Gastroesophageal diseases represent a newly identified risk factor for SS, warranting further research.