Arthroscopic superior capsule reconstruction restores shoulder function, aids return to sports, work
WEDNESDAY, July 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Arthroscopic superior capsule reconstruction can benefit patients with shoulder injuries once considered beyond repair, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, held from July 20 to 23 in Toronto.
For the study, Teruhis Mihata, M.D., Ph.D., from the Osaka Medical College in Japan, and colleagues enrolled 100 patients (102 shoulders were operated on). The average age of the participants was 66.7 years, ranging from 43 to 82. The average follow-up time was four years.
Out of 100 patients who had the surgery in the study, all 26 of those who had played sports before the surgery were able to play sports again afterwards. Thirty-two patients who had jobs lifting heavy workloads were able to return completely to work. Another two — a farmer and a manual worker — were also able to return to work, but with reduced hours and reduced workloads.
“Arthroscopic superior capsule reconstruction restored shoulder function and resulted in high rates of return to recreational sport and work,” the authors write. “These results suggest that arthroscopic superior capsule reconstruction is a viable surgical option for irreparable rotator cuff tears, especially in patients who work and enjoy sport.”
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