Home Clean Living Reverse total shoulder: Does physical therapy increase patient satisfaction and decrease instability?

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Reverse total shoulder: Does physical therapy increase patient satisfaction and decrease instability?

February 6, 2023

The authors of Active Physical Therapy Does Not Improve Outcomes After Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Multi-Center, Randomized Clinical Trial sought to compare range of motion (ROM), patient-reported outcomes (PROs), postoperative stability, complications and patient satisfaction after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty between patients receiving a structured home exercise program (HEP) (n=46) and those placed on active, supervised physiotherapy (PT) (n=43) in a multi-center randomized clinical trial.

In 13% of patients undergoing HEP, and 17% undergoing PT, complications were experienced.

There were no significant differences between groups in PROs or ROM at final follow-up.

12% (72/82) of patients experienced some symptoms associated with instability within the first year.

90% (74/82) of respondents were satisfied with the outcome.

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Only 76% (62/82) said they would undergo the procedure again if given the chance.

Comment: Unsurprisingly, a larger clinical study comparing PT to home exercise has been published (see Physical Therapy After Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty)However, the results are still not available.

Home exercises offer tangible advantages, such as a lower cost, less travel, greater customization and the ability to meet the individual needs of the client.

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