Rehabilitation and Long Term Outcomes Including Return to Work or Sport Following Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty has become an excellent surgical option for patients suffering from various shoulder pathologies including rotator cuff arthropathy, inflammatory arthritis and proximal humerus fractures. The goals of this operation are to reduce pain, restore function, and allow patients to be able to return to both work and sport. This article provides insight into the return to work and sport of patients who have undergone reverse total shoulder arthroplasty.

Recent literature has demonstrated that patients who have undergone reverse total shoulder arthroplasty demonstrate high rates of return to work and sport. Variations in patient age, sex, work intensity, type of sport and rehabilitation protocols can also play a factor in being able to return to work and sport. Patients who have undergone reverse total shoulder arthroplasty are able to return to work and sport in a timely manner. A structured rehabilitation protocol, appropriate patient selection and excellent communication between surgeon and patient is crucial to achieve a successful return to work and sport.