A study published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine examines how patients return to sports and work after total shoulder replacement surgery.
There were 154 patients who underwent 170 total shoulder replacements included in the study. The patients had primary glenohumeral arthritis. The patients were 71 years old on average, ranging in age from 33 years old to 88 years old and followed for 6.2 years on average.
Here are five key findings from the report:
1. There were around 57 patients who had participated in sports up to the time of surgery, and 100 percent of those patients returned to sports after surgery. Swimming was the most popular sport.
2. There were 49 patients who never participated in sports and none began sporting activities after their shoulder replacement.
3. Around 14 percent of the patients retired by their final follow-up because of the total shoulder replacement; another 14 percent were pursuing work during their most recent follow-up.
4. There were 30 patients — 19.5 percent — who had to change their occupations because of surgery.
5. The researchers concluded that patients who participated in sports before surgery were able to return to their activities after surgery, and 14 percent were able to return to work.