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Does immobilization position after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair impact work quality or comfort?

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to quantify subjective discomfort and decrease in working performance in patients submitted to arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Methods

We enrolled 101 asymptomatic administrative employees (mean age 55). Subjects were asked to write a text using Microsoft Word and to make a table using Microsoft Excel, with and without shoulder braces which kept the right shoulder in neutral (brace A) and internal rotation (brace B). Total time needed to complete the tests and number of mistakes committed were annotated. Furthermore, a questionnaire to assess the subjective and interpersonal discomfort caused by the braces was compiled. Data were submitted to statistical analysis.

Results

When any brace is worn, both times and mistakes are higher than those registered without brace (p < 0.02). Both times and mistakes are higher for brace B in comparison with brace A (p < 0.02). Subjects wearing brace B had a severe/very severe discomfort degree three times higher than that registered in subjects wearing brace A. Finally, 91 % of subjects preferred brace A to brace B.

Discussion

If the choice of the brace is not supported by biological or clinical advantages, we recommend to use the brace that keeps the arm at the side, since it ensures better working performance and lower discomfort. It also received the greatest satisfaction of the respondents.

Level of evidence

IV.

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Conflict of interest

S. Gumina, V. Candela, D. Passaretti, L. Mariani, L. Orsina declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Informed consent

All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000 (5). All patients provided written informed consent to enrolment in the study and to the inclusion in this article of information that could potentially lead to their identification.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro No.5, 00185, Rome, Italy

    S. Gumina, V. Candela, D. Passaretti, L. Mariani & L. Orsina

  2. Department of Mathematics, University Sapienza, Rome, Italy

    S. Gumina, V. Candela, D. Passaretti, L. Mariani & L. Orsina

Authors
  1. S. Gumina
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  2. V. Candela
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  3. D. Passaretti
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  4. L. Mariani
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  5. L. Orsina
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Gumina.

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Gumina, S., Candela, V., Passaretti, D. et al. Does immobilization position after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair impact work quality or comfort?. Musculoskelet Surg 98 (Suppl 1), 55–59 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12306-014-0327-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12306-014-0327-y

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