Functional results of bilateral reverse total shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to analyze a population of patients with bilateral reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) to evaluate their ability to perform activities of daily living and personal hygiene tasks. METHODS: At a minimum 2-year follow-up, we retrospectively reviewed 50 patients (100 shoulders) with a mean age of 72 years who underwent staged bilateral RTSA. The average follow-up period was 61 months (range, 24-121 months), with a minimum 2-year follow-up after the second surgical procedure. Functional outcomes were assessed with American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Simple Shoulder Test, and Short Form 12 (SF-12) scores. In addition, a unique questionnaire regarding personal hygiene habits and activities of daily living reliant on shoulder rotation was administered to all patients. RESULTS: Patients showed significant improvements in pain (mean improvement in visual analog scale score from 5.7 to 1.0, P < .001) and forward elevation (mean improvement from 71° to 136°, P < .001). Clinical outcome scores showed significant improvements: The mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score improved from 35.8 to 76.5 (P < .001), Simple Shoulder Test score improved from 2.4 to 8.0 (P < .001), SF-12 mental component subscore improved from 51.9 to 54.1 (P < .001), and SF-12 physical component subscore improved from 30.5 to 39.7 (P < .001). Internal and external rotation showed significant improvements (from 33° to 53° [P < .005] and from 27° to 44° [P < .001], respectively). All patients retained independence with personal hygiene and activities of daily living. Complications included prosthetic instability (3%), acromial fracture (5%), and periprosthetic joint infection (1%). The overall reoperation rate was 5%. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral RTSA provides predictable pain relief and improved function. Hygiene practices are unaltered for most patients, and the other patients rapidly develop simple compensatory strategies and retain independence in activities of daily living.

The champagne toast position isolates the supraspinatus better than the Jobe test: an electromyographic study of shoulder physical examination tests.

BACKGROUND: While Jobe's test is widely used, it does not isolate supraspinatus activity. Our purpose was to examine the electromyographic (EMG) activity within the supraspinatus and deltoid with resisted abduction to determine the shoulder position that best isolates the activity of the supraspinatus. METHODS: We performed EMG analysis of the supraspinatus, anterior head of the deltoid, and middle head of the deltoid in 10 normal volunteers. We measured EMG activity during resisted shoulder abduction in the scapular plane to both manual resistance and a standardized load in varying degrees of abduction and rotation. To determine which position best isolates supraspinatus activity, the ratio of supraspinatus to deltoid activity (S:D) was calculated for each position. Results were analyzed with a repeated-measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction. The posterior deltoid was excluded as it serves mostly to extend and externally rotate. RESULTS: Our study confirmed Jobe's findings of maximal supraspinatus activity at 90° of abduction. However, decreasing abduction significantly increased S:D for both resisted manual testing and testing against a standardized load (P = .002 and .001, respectively). The greatest S:D ratio (4.6 ± 3.4 for standardized load testing) was seen at the "champagne toast" position, i.e., 30° of abduction, mild external rotation, 30° of flexion, and 90° of elbow flexion. The smallest ratio (0.8 ± 0.6) was seen at Jobe's position. CONCLUSIONS: Testing of abduction strength in the champagne toast position, i.e., 30° of abduction, mild external rotation, and 30° of flexion, better isolates the activity of the supraspinatus from the deltoid than Jobe's "empty can" position.