Shoulder brace has no detrimental effect on basic spatio-temporal gait parameters and functional mobility after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

BACKGROUND

The risk of falls in patients undergoing orthopedic procedures is significant in terms of health and socioeconomic effects.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Is there an influence of the shoulder abduction brace (SAB) on gait parameters in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR)?

METHODS

Thirty-five patients undergoing ARCR, who used a 15° SAB in the postoperative period, were included in a prospective study. Participants underwent gait analysis preoperatively (T0), 24 h after surgery (T1), 1 week (T2), and 4 weeks after surgery (1 week after SAB removal) (T3) by using a wearable inertial sensor (BTS G-Walk sensor). Gait Parameters (cadence, speed, right (R) and left (L) step length, gait and propulsion-R and L symmetry indices) and functional mobility (agility and balance) were assessed using the 10-meter test (10MWT) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, respectively.

RESULTS

There were 22 men and 13 women with a median age of 56 (IQR 48.0-61.0) years. The right upper limb was involved in 83% of cases. Regarding the 10MWT, speed was significantly higher at T0 than at T1 (p < 0.01) and significantly lower at T1 than at T3 (p < 0.05). Cadence was significantly lower at T1 than at T3 (p < 0.05). Propulsion-R was significantly higher at T3 than at T1 (p < 0.01), whereas propulsion-L was significantly lower at T1 than at T0 (p < 0.05) and significantly higher at T2 and T3 than T1 (p < 0.01 for all). No significant differences were found for R and L step lengths as well as for symmetry index (p > 0.05). Regarding TUG test, the final turning phase was significantly higher at T2 than at T3 (p < 0.01).

SIGNIFICANCE: The results demonstrated that the use of the SAB affected gait speed and propulsion only 24 h after ARCR, but no effects were reported at long-term observations.