Article

The rotator cuff muscles help stabilize the glenohumeral joint.
Postoperative recovery of rotator cuff muscle strength appears to be an important
factor for optimal joint stabilization and the resumption of professional and/or
sports activities. OBJECTIVE:
To study the relationship between internal rotator
(IR) and external rotator (ER) muscle strength, shoulder function and the
resumption of sports activities (as typically evaluated with functional scores)
following surgical stabilization with the Bristow-Latarjet procedure in cases of
chronic shoulder instability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with
anterior, post-traumatic, chronic shoulder instability were included
prospectively in a cohort study. The Rowe and Walch-Duplay functional scores were
rated for the operated shoulder and the isokinetic IR and ER peak torque values
were evaluated with a Con-Trex((R)) dynamometer before surgery and then 3, 6 and
21 months afterwards. The isokinetic evaluation was performed (at 180 degrees /s,
120 degrees /s and 60 degrees /s) in the seated position, with the arms in 45
degrees of abduction and 30 degrees of antepulsion in the plane of the scapula.
RESULTS: There were no significant postoperative correlations between shoulder
function (as judged by the Rowe and Walch-Duplay scores) and IR or ER muscle
strength. CONCLUSION:
This study did not provide evidence for a correlation
between IR and ER muscle strength and functional scores after surgical
stabilization of the shoulder. However, it is necessary to objectively measure
the rotator cuff strength recovery to adequate the strengthening of rotator
muscle prior to the resumption of sports activities. Isokinetic strength
assessment may thus be a valuable decision support tool for the resumption of
sports activities and would complement the functional scores studied here.
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Langue : ANGLAIS ; FRANCAIS