Introduction: Reverse shoulder prosthesis emerged as an alternative to treating shoulder dysfunction with weak rotator cuff muscles. A spherical convex implant is inserted in the glenoid fossa, while the humerus head represents the concave component of the joint. This allows the deltoid muscle to substitute for the weak rotator cuff muscles function. Consequently, the scapulohumeral rhythm also changes. Physiotherapeutic treatment should focus on protection of the joint, improvement of deltoid muscle function and establishment of suitable functional expectations. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to present reverse shoulder arthroplasty through literature review and focus on its importance for planning physiotherapy. Methods: The descriptive research method was used with literature review through databases PubMed, Medline, Science Direct, Cochrane library, Cinahl, PEDro and COBISS/OPAC. The quality of the studies was assessed using CEBM and PEDro scales. Results: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty is effective in improving active anteflexion, abduction, shoulder function and pain reduction, which were measured with questionnaires and performance tests, however the results of isometric strength and active range of internal and external rotation are unsatisfactory. Passive motion therapy and immobilisation have positive effects on tissue healing after the operation; scapula therapeutic exercise, massage, stretching and mobilisation of scapula can effectively influence clinical problems after the surgical procedure. Kinesiotaping has good short-term effects on pain during movement and night pain, as well as on increased painless active range of motion. Stabilization exercises improve isometric strength of muscles around the scapula, shoulder function and reduce pain, which were measured with performance tests and questionnaires, whereas the mobilization of the scapula can aid in the improvement of its motor control. Discussion and conclusion: At the moment there is no evidence-based literature on physiotherapeutic treatment of patients after reverse shoulder arthroplasty. Due to changed scapulohumeral rhythm and increased activity of muscles around the scapula, further studies should research effects of scapula stabilization, mobilization and improvement of the scapula motor control on clinical results after reverse shoulder arthroplasty. Because of increased integration of deltoid muscle in upper limb motion it is necessary to improve its performance, while it is possible to achieve a larger activity of the muscle with biofeedback.
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