Patients' Satisfaction after Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Is Affected by Preoperative Functional Status

Yoon, Jong Pil; Kim, Dong Hyun; Chung, Seok Won

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the functional outcomes of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) and to assess factors affecting the patients' subjective satisfaction after RTSA.
METHODS
Forty-three patients (mean age, 75.0 ± 5.2 years) who underwent RTSA for cuff tear arthropathy or irreparable cuff tears with preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and pre- and postoperative radiographs at 1 year, and whose various functional outcomes including pain visual analogue scale (VAS), simple shoulder test, Constant score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, and active range of motion were evaluated preoperatively and at the last follow-up (>12 months) were enrolled. The outcome parameter was set as a satisfaction scale. Various clinical and radiographic factors were analyzed, and their correlations with postoperative satisfaction were evaluated.
RESULTS
All functional scores, VAS pain score, and active forward flexion showed significant improvement after surgery (all p<0.001). Twenty-nine patients were satisfied with the results and 14 were dissatisfied. The presence of pseudoparalysis (p=0.028) and worse preoperative function (all p<0.05) were related with higher satisfaction. Any radiologic parameters did not affect patients' postoperative satisfaction.
CONCLUSIONS
All patients showed a good functional outcome after RTSA, however the patients' subjective postoperative satisfaction was affected by preoperative functional status (higher satisfaction in poor preoperative function), not by radiological findings.