Preoperative handgrip strength can predict early postoperative shoulder function in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair

• Published in: Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research Vol. 19; no. 1; p. 270
• Main Authors: Liu, Yu-Cheng, Huang, Shu-Wei, Adams, Christopher R, Lin, Chung-Ying, Chen, Yu-Pin, Kuo, Yi-Jie, Chuang, Tai-Yuan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 30.04.2024; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair; Arthroscopy - methods; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Hand Strength - physiology; Handgrip strength; Humans; Male; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Middle Aged; Postoperative outcome; Postoperative Period; Postoperative shoulder function; Predictive Value of Tests; Preoperative Period; Prospective Studies; Recovery of Function - physiology; Rotator Cuff - physiopathology; Rotator Cuff - surgery; Rotator Cuff Injuries - physiopathology; Rotator Cuff Injuries - surgery; Rotator cuff repair; Rotator cuff tear; Shoulder - physiopathology; Shoulder - surgery; Shoulder functional outcome; Treatment Outcome; Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair; Rotator cuff tear; Handgrip strength; Shoulder functional outcome; Postoperative shoulder function; Postoperative outcome
• ISSN: 1749-799X; 1749-799X
• DOI: 10.1186/s13018-024-04750-8

Rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are a common musculoskeletal disorder, and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) is widely performed for tendon repair. Handgrip strength correlates with rotator cuff function; however, whether preoperative grip strength can predict functional outcomes in patients undergoing ARCR remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between preoperative grip strength and postoperative shoulder function following ARCR. A total of 52 patients with full-thickness repairable RCTs were prospectively enrolled. Baseline parameters, namely patient characteristics and intraoperative findings, were included for analysis. Postoperative shoulder functional outcomes were assessed using the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QDASH) questionnaire and Constant-Murley scores (CMSs). Patients were followed up and evaluated at three and six months after ARCR. The effects of baseline parameters on postoperative outcomes were measured using generalized estimating equations. At three and six months postoperatively, all clinical outcomes evaluated exhibited significant improvement from baseline following ARCR. Within 6 months postoperatively, higher preoperative grip strength was significantly correlated with higher CMSs (β = 0.470, p = 0.022), whereas increased numbers of total suture anchors were significantly correlated with decreased CMSs (β =  - 4.361, p = 0.03). Higher body mass index was significantly correlated with higher postoperative QDASH scores (β = 1.561, p = 0.03) during follow-up. Higher baseline grip strength predicts more favorable postoperative shoulder function following ARCR. A preoperative grip strength test in orthopedic clinics may serve as a predictor for postoperative shoulder functional recovery in patients undergoing ARCR.