Retour au sport après une arthroplastie d’épaule : état des lieux et perspectives

Shoulder arthroplasty is a common procedure, but returning to sports after a prosthesis remains a challenge. This study analyzes available data as well as practices in a sample of surgeons regarding the return to sports after hemiarthroplasty, total arthroplasty or reverse arthroplasty. While most surgeons allow return to sports, recommendations appear to vary depending on the type of prosthesis and the sport practiced. Low-impact activities, such as golf and cycling, are preferred, whereas contact sports or those that place high demands on the shoulder are more often discouraged. However, current return-to-sport criteria are highly heterogeneous and mainly based on subjective factors, such as the absence of pain and recovery of joint range of motion, without systematic use of functional tests or psychological assessments. This variability highlights the need for standardized protocols incorporating objective criteria to ensure a safe return to sports. Further research is necessary to refine recommendations and optimize the management of athletic patients after shoulder arthroplasty.