Patients Experience Improved Sleep Comfortability After Shoulder Arthroplasty
Shoulder arthroplasty, a surgical procedure to replace the shoulder joint, has been found to significantly improve patients’ sleep disturbance, according to a study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. Researchers analyzed data from 989 patients who underwent either anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) or reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) between 2012 and 2021.
The study assessed the patients’ sleep-related questionnaire responses, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores, as well as the Simple Shoulder Test and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons questionnaires. These measures were evaluated prior to the surgery and at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively.
The findings revealed that both TSA and RSA procedures led to significant and rapid improvements in patients’ ability to sleep comfortably. The study also noted that patients experienced a less significant improvement in their ability to sleep on their operated side. However, this ability showed a plateau at 6 months postoperatively, while the ability to sleep comfortably plateaued at 3 months.
Although the majority of patients reported improvements in sleep comfortability, a small percentage still struggled to sleep comfortably or on their operated side. At the most recent follow-up, 13.2% of the TSA patients and 16% of the RSA patients reported persistent discomfort while sleeping. In addition, 31.4% of the TSA patients and 36.8% of the RSA patients said they were unable to sleep on their operated side.
This study demonstrates that both TSA and RSA are highly effective in reducing sleep disturbances, the researchers stated. Patients experienced significant improvements in their ability to sleep comfortably and on the affected side at different time intervals.
The results of this study offer valuable insights for healthcare professionals and patients considering shoulder arthroplasty. Improved sleep comfort can have a positive impact on patients’ overall quality of life and recovery following surgery.
Further research may focus on identifying interventions or strategies to help enhance sleep comfortability for those who still experience difficulties after shoulder arthroplasty. Understanding the factors that contribute to persistent sleep disturbance could help optimize patient care and outcomes.
In conclusion, shoulder arthroplasty procedures, whether TSA or RSA, have demonstrated significant and rapid improvements in patients’ ability to sleep comfortably. While the majority of patients experienced enhanced sleep comfortability, a minority still reported difficulties in sleeping comfortably and on their operated side. These findings highlight the importance of addressing sleep disturbances as part of the comprehensive care provided to patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty.
