Return to Work and Recreational Sport After Superior Capsule Reconstruction with Dermal Allograft

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rate of return to work and recreational sport in patients after superior capsule reconstruction (SCR) with dermal allograft.

A retrospective review of patients who underwent SCR at our institution between 2015 and 2019 was performed. Patients were only included if they had a minimum of 1-year follow-up and were participating in work or recreational sport preoperatively. Return to work, return to recreational sport, and the level of return were assessed. Additionally, functional outcomes and re-operation rates were recorded.

The study included a total of 27 patients of whom 22 were working preoperatively and 21 were actively participating in recreational sports. The mean age was 61.5 ± 9.6 years, 57.1% were males, and the mean follow-up time was 30.3 ± 11.4 months. Overall, 50.0% were able to return to work, with 81.2% of those unable to return to work citing their operative shoulder as the reason for not returning. Additionally, 60% of those who were participating in physical work were able to return to work. Among those playing recreational sport preoperatively, 47.6% were able to return to recreational sport, 33.3% at the same pre-morbid level. All of those who were unable to return to recreational sport cited their operative shoulder as the reason they did not return. The mean postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Society score was 60.7 ± 32.4, the mean subjective shoulder value was 61.1 ± 28.3, and the mean visual analog scale for pain score was 3.7 ± 3.2. Four patients went on to have a reoperation.

Our study established that after SCR with dermal allograft, there is a low rate of return to work and recreational sport. Additionally, there was a moderate revision rate in the short-term follow-up.