Return-to-work following shoulder arthroplasty in adults with osteoarthritis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) and hemiarthroplasty (HA) have demonstrated significant improvement in shoulder function and pain relief. Work-related outcomes have become increasingly important, while the current literature lacks evidence related to return-to-work (RTW) and which factors might have an influence on it.

AIMS:

This study aimed to assess RTW in patients who have received aTSA or HA at a minimum of 1-year follow-up after surgery, and secondary to evaluate possible prognostic factors associated with RTW.

METHODS:

We performed a retrospective query in employed patients diagnosed with primary osteoarthritis of the shoulder, who received either an aTSA or HA between February 2006 and February 2021. Preoperative and post-operative work and sports participation were assessed.

RESULTS:

Forty-four patients participated in this study (98% compliance), of which 40 patients (91%) were able to RTW at a median time of two (interquartile range: 2-4) months post-operatively. Patients with a medium-/high-demand occupation demonstrated RTW at a significantly lower rate (79%) than those with light-demand occupations (100%; P = 0.03). There was a statistically significant association between return to full employment and patients' expectation to fully return, absence of preoperative work adjustments and preoperative sick leave (odds ratio: 16.9 [3.1-93.5]; 18.3 [2.1-160.4]; 0.1 [0.0-0.6]).

CONCLUSIONS:

aTSA and HA facilitate excellent RTW rates. Patients with a medium-/high-demand occupation return at a significantly lower rate. The ability to RTW seems to be multifactorial and the results found might not be attributed to shoulder arthroplasty alone.

• Authors: T I M Kuijpers, R J M Vossen, P P F M Kuijer, T D Alta, I N Sierevelt, A Van Noort
• Journal: Occupational medicine (Oxford, England) (Occup Med (Lond)) Vol. 73 Issue 6 Pg. 339-345 (09 29 2023) ISSN: 1471-8405 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 37471472 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Occupational Medicine. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: [email protected].

Topics

• Humans
• Adult
• Return to Work
• Arthroplasty, Replacement, Shoulder
• Retrospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome
• Osteoarthritis (surgery)
• Shoulder Joint (surgery)