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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
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Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Published on: July 5, 2011
Predictive factors for return to work after shoulder arthroplasty
Willem Geuskens1,2,3, Alexander Poelmans1, Anthony Timmerman1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Arthroplasty
|August 9, 2026
Summary
Return to work after shoulder arthroplasty is achievable for 67% of patients. Factors like education and job type influence successful return to work, guiding patient expectations and pre-operative counseling.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Return to work (RTW) is a critical outcome for patients after shoulder arthroplasty.
- Limited literature exists on RTW rates following this procedure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the RTW rate in working-age patients post-shoulder arthroplasty.
- To identify factors associated with successful RTW.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of patients under 63 years old with a minimum 2-year follow-up.
- Utilized work-specific and shoulder function questionnaires.
- Analyzed RTW factors using Mann-Whitney U and chi-squared tests.
Main Results:
- 67% of 103 patients returned to work, with 58% returning full-time.
- Mean time to RTW was 16 weeks.
- Higher education, less demanding jobs, shorter pre-op sick leave, and post-op support predicted successful RTW.
Conclusions:
- Shoulder arthroplasty RTW rate is 67%, influenced by patient and work-related factors.
- Procedure type, complications, or need for revision did not significantly impact RTW.
- Findings aid in pre-operative counseling and managing post-operative work expectations.