Rehabilitation following anatomic total shoulder replacement for osteoarthritis

Abstract

Advances in anatomic total shoulder replacement (TSR) have seen this become an established surgical intervention for patients suffering from glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA). A growing evidence-base stresses good prosthesis survivorship, low complication rates, and reproducible improvements to patients’ quality of life and function. Despite these advances, the rehabilitation of patients undergoing anatomic TSR has received relatively little attention. This clinical commentary discusses a specific clinical method taken to manage patients undergoing anatomic TSR for glenohumeral OA and an intact rotator cuff. It outlines the evaluation-based rehabilitation approach developed between surgeons and physiotherapists at the Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom. It is hoped this commentary will generate further interest in this area and help drive advances in the outcomes and rehabilitation of patients undergoing TSR.