A pilot-study focusing on internal rotation after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty using the Activities of Daily Living which require Internal Rotation (ADLIR) score

Background: Loss of internal rotation remains an issue after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). Our goal is to define the expected functional internal rotation after RTSA using the Activities of Daily Living which require Internal Rotation (ADLIR) score in a homogenous population of patients treated with RTSA.Methods: 35 patients with a minimum follow-up of two years after RTSA were evaluated using the ADLIR and Constant-Murley questionnaires. A correlation between the ADLIR and Constant score was investigated and the internal validity of the ADLIR score used in a RTSA patient population was measured using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The impact of internal rotation on the total rotational arc of motion was defined.Results Excellent results were recorded for both the Constant score (79 +/- 18) and ADLIR score (88 +/- 16). Pearson's correlation coefficient was r = 0,84 (p-value <0,001). The ADLIR score showed a high reliability for all questions.Conclusions: The ADLIR score has proven to be a useful addition in the post-operative evaluation of patients treated with RTSA. Further studies are needed to investigate the evolution of the ADLIR score from pre- to postoperatively in order to determine the clinical and predictive value of this score.Level of evidence Level IV - Observational study.