A Randomized Control Trial to Evaluate Release Versus Non-release of Pectoralis Minor During Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty

What this Trial Is About

This trial involves patients undergoing reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) to investigate if releasing the pectoralis minor muscle at the time of surgery improves pain relief, shoulder range of motion, and patient-reported outcomes. It addresses persistent anterior shoulder pain and altered scapula biomechanics that may occur after RSA, a surgery increasingly used to treat shoulder conditions like rotator cuff tear arthropathy and advanced glenohumeral osteoarthritis. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one receiving RSA with an open release of the pectoralis minor muscle through the same surgical incision and the other receiving standard RSA without this muscle release. The pectoralis minor release involves cutting the muscle's insertion on the coracoid process while protecting nearby nerves and vessels. This procedure aims to reduce muscle tension that may affect shoulder function after surgery. Throughout the study, participants will be assessed for pain using the Visual Analog Scale at baseline and six months post-surgery. Researchers will also evaluate shoulder movement and patient-reported outcomes to compare the effects of muscle release versus no release. The study includes informed consent, regular follow-ups, and safety monitoring, with a total participation period extending at least six months after surgery.

Pectoralis Minor Release Versus Non-release in RSA