Six-Week Changes in Pain Biomarkers Following Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Pain Medicine
• Biomarkers

Background:

• Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) is a common procedure for shoulder pain.
• While generally successful, 18% of patients experience persistent pain two years post-surgery.
• Biomarker research is recommended to predict patient responses to rTSA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe changes in pain and psychological factors from baseline to 6 weeks after rTSA.
• To identify baseline factors associated with 6-week pain improvement post-rTSA.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal cohort study at a single academic medical center.
• Twenty participants undergoing rTSA were assessed.
• Evaluated pain intensity, widespread pain, anxiety, depression, neuropathic symptoms, and quantitative sensory testing.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in shoulder pain, widespread pain, and neuropathic pain symptoms post-surgery.
• Baseline pain intensity and tibialis anterior nerve response predicted the degree of 6-week pain improvement.

Conclusions:

• Pain characteristics can serve as biomarkers for short-term postsurgical changes after rTSA.
• Baseline pain intensity and nerve response may aid in preoperative risk assessment.
• Further research should explore the link between short-term biomarkers and chronic pain development.