INVESTIGATION OF THE ACTIVE JOINT POSITION SENSE FOLLOWING ROTATOR CUFF REPAIR SURGERY

Purpose: Decreased active joint position sense has been documented in rotator cuff tears. However, there is limited information regarding whether proprioceptive impairments could be recovered after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the shoulder active joint position sense following an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and compare the differences between the non-operated contralateral sides of the patients and healthy controls.

Methods: Fifteen patients with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and fifteen healthy controls were included. Shoulder active joint position sense was assessed using the Laser-pointer-assisted Angle Reproduction Test at 90° of the forward flexion and abduction positions at the post-operative 3rd month in patients with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (both sides) and healthy controls (dominant side). Shoulder active range of movements and pain intensity were also recorded.

Results: Similar active shoulder joint position sense was found in the patients on both sides and the dominant side of the healthy controls at 90° of forward flexion (p>0.05), yet it was significantly worse in the patients’ operated sides than in the non-operated sides at 90° of abduction (p = 0.034). Active range of movements was significantly worse in the patients' operated sides than in the non-operated sides and the healthy controls' dominant sides (p<0.05). Pain intensity was not correlated with active joint position sense (p>0.05).

Conclusion: This study reveals that active joint position sense may be restored in the third month following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery compared to the non-operated contralateral sides of the patients and dominant sides of the healthy controls.