Return to driving following anatomic and reverse shoulder arthroplasty: a comparative analysis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Musculoskeletal Research
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• The optimal timing for resuming driving after shoulder arthroplasty remains debated.
• Patient-specific factors influencing driving return post-shoulder replacement are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify patient characteristics associated with early return to driving after anatomic (aTSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA).

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of over 400 patients undergoing primary aTSA or RTSA.
• Postoperative driving status and frequency assessed via questionnaire.
• Multivariate analysis to determine factors linked to early (within 2 weeks) and delayed (over 6 weeks) driving return.

Main Results:

• Anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) patients returned to driving earlier than reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) patients (34% vs. 20%).
• Factors for early return included male sex and surgeon compliance (aTSA).
• Delayed return was associated with older age, higher BMI, and sling/narcotic use (RTSA).

Conclusions:

• Anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) facilitates a quicker return to driving compared to RTSA.
• Patient factors such as sex, age, BMI, and adherence to post-operative instructions significantly impact driving resumption.
• Early return to driving after shoulder arthroplasty does not appear to elevate the risk of motor vehicle accidents.