A study published in the World Journal of Orthopaedics and recently presented at the 2017 AAOS Meeting outlines the expected return timetable for younger shoulder replacement patients.
Here's what you need to know:
1. The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reports approximately 53,000 people in the U.S. have shoulder replacement surgery each year while 900,000 Americans undergo hip and knee replacement surgery.
2. Repetitive movements involved in various sporting activities may cause early osteoarthritis in younger patients. Additional wear and tear of the joint may also result in the need for a replacement.
3. The average age at the time of surgery for the 61 patients involved in the study was 48.9 years old. Most (80.3 percent) of the patients' shoulder damage was caused by osteoarthritis and roughly 68 percent of patients hoped to return to sports post-surgery. Of the 61 patients, 93 percent were satisfied with the surgery outcomes and 96.4 percent returned to at least one sport at an average of 6.7 months following surgery.
4. Rates of return to sports included:
- 97.2 percent returned to fitness sports
- 93.3 percent returned to golf
- 87.5 percent returned to singles tennis
- 87.5 percent returned to swimming
- 75 percent returned to basketball
- 66.7 percent returned to flag football
5. Study author Grant Garcia, MD, of New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery said, "This information is important as it demonstrates that total shoulder arthroplasty may be a good option in younger patients who are indicated for a shoulder replacement."
More articles on sports medicine:
Methodist Healthcare System partners with Spurs Sports & Entertainment — 5 key notes
11 sports medicine physicians on the move — March 15, 2017
5 things to know about arthritis in the US: 22.7% of adults diagnosed with it