Patients Undergoing Shoulder Arthroplasty Research Articles

Single-bolus injection of local anesthetic, with or without continuous infusion, for interscalene brachial plexus block in the setting of multimodal analgesia: a randomized controlled unblinded trial

IntroductionPrevious trials favored a continuous interscalene brachial plexus block over a single injection for major shoulder surgery. However, these trials did not administer a multimodal analgesic regimen. This randomized, controlled...

Modeling the future of shoulder arthroplasty

BackgroundIn patients with advanced shoulder pathology requiring arthroplasty, the goal is to restore optimal function and provide sustained pain relief. However, the capacity to select the ideal reconstruction of a specific patient’s shoulder and to predict the resulting functional outcome is limited. Computational modeling of the musculoskeletal system has the potential to expand our foundational knowledge of both the native and prosthetic shoulder joint. ObjectiveThe aim of this review is to describe how computational modeling enables more detailed analyses of the interactions between musculoskeletal anatomy and function and to suggest ways in which this approach may be used to optimize outcomes in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty. ResultsComputational modeling has been used to study shoulder joint biomechanics for more than 30 years. There are specific limitations that need to be addressed to realize the full potential of computational modeling in shoulder arthroplasty. First, more realistic, patient-specific models of the glenohumeral and scapulothoracic joints must be developed. Second, shoulder models must be coupled with accurate in vivo measurements of joint motion to perform more comprehensive analyses of muscle and joint function. Third, model predictions of shoulder biomechanics must be validated against experimental data. ConclusionPatient-specific musculoskeletal modeling of shoulder joint biomechanics can contribute significantly to predicting pathology and optimizing postoperative function.

The effect of vitamin D insufficiency on outcomes and complication rates after shoulder arthroplasty: a single center retrospective examination

BackgroundThe impact of hypovitaminosis D in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty has yet to be fully determined. Our study aims to assess postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty, and evaluate the association between preoperative vitamin D level and postoperative outcomes. MethodsA retrospective review of patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty, anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty, and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty between 2012 and 2022 at a single institution was performed. Outcomes including readmission, reoperation, mortality, and medical complications, as well as preoperative and postoperative range of motion (ROM), pain scores, and functional outcome scores, were examined. ResultsBetween September 2012 and September 2022, 576 shoulder arthroplasties were performed at our institution, of which 94 patients had preoperative vitamin D levels recorded; 35.11% were deficient with vitamin D levels under 20 mg/mL, 29.79% were insufficient and had vitamin D levels between 20 and 29 mg/mL, and 35.11% had levels considered sufficient. There was no statistically significant association between vitamin D levels and complications on univariable analysis (P > .05). There was also no statistically significant association between preoperative vitamin D levels and use of cemented implants intraoperatively. Pain scores and ROM were not associated with vitamin D level although ROM approached statistical significance. ConclusionThe association between lower vitamin D levels and worse postoperative outcomes or increased rate of short-term complications was not supported by our study. For patients without osteoporosis, a recorded low vitamin D level at the time of surgery was not associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications or poor postoperative outcome. Randomized controlled trials investigating the association between vitamin D and postoperative outcomes are needed.

The Impact of Hypoalbuminemia on Postoperative Complications in Patients Undergoing Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Meta-Analysis.

The objective of this meta-analysis was to investigate the association between hypoalbuminemia and postoperative complications in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty. This meta-analysis study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023442466) and adhered to the PRISMA guidelines. Studies focused on shoulder arthroplasty that compared hypoalbuminemia and normal albumin levels were included. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Collaboration database. Seven comparative studies were included, and odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval were calculated for the dichotomous variables. A fixed-effect model was used when there was no statistical evidence of heterogeneity, and a random-effect model was used when significant heterogeneity was observed. Review Manager 5.4 software was used for data analysis. The meta-analysis included a total of 20,290 patients from seven studies. Hypoalbuminemia was significantly associated with a higher risk of readmissions (OR 2.92, 95%CI 1.74 to 4.91), reoperations (OR 3.23, 95%CI 1.98 to 5.27), an increase in hospital stay duration (MD 1.59, 95%CI 0.86 to 2.32), and complications such as death (OR 5.75, 95% CI 2.98 to 11.08; studies = 4), thromboembolic events (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.46 to 4.06; studies = 4), cardiac events (OR 2.78, 95% CI 1.07 to 7.24; studies = 3), pulmonary infections (OR 3.09, 95% CI 1.54 to 6.20; studies = 3), systemic infections (OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.51 to 3.16; studies = 3), and transfusions (OR 3.16, 95% CI 2.23 to 4.48; studies = 2). However, there was no significant association between hypoalbuminemia and renal complications, surgical site infections, urinary tract infections, wound problems, or cardiovascular events. This meta-analysis provides strong evidence that hypoalbuminemia is associated with a higher risk of postoperative complications in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty.

The cost-effectiveness of tranexamic acid for preventing blood transfusions following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a break-even analysis

BackgroundThe administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty is a safe and effective means of reducing blood loss and blood transfusions. Due to its low cost and ability to prevent costly complications, TXA’s use is thought to be a cost-saving practice. The purpose of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of TXA in preventing blood transfusions in patients undergoing reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). MethodsThe cost of TXA ($5.22) and the cost of a blood transfusion ($299.31) from our institution, as well as baseline published blood transfusion rates following RSA (14.3%) without the administration of TXA, were included in a break-even model to calculate the absolute risk reduction (ARR) that the routine use of TXA would need to be considered economically justifiable. To account for variance in baseline transfusion rates, the cost of TXA, and the cost of blood transfusion across institutions, sensitivity analyses were conducted in which the break-even transfusion rate and ARR were calculated across a wide range for each variable. ResultsTXA is deemed cost-effective if it prevents one blood transfusion out of 57 RSAs (ARR = 1.74%). It is economically viable at varying drug costs ($1-$25), blood transfusion costs ($50-$5000), and baseline transfusion rates (2.00%-50.00%). ConclusionUsing the cost parameters at a single institution, the current study found that TXA would be cost-effective in preventing blood transfusion if its routine use achieves an ARR greater than 1.74% following RSA. As the ARR has been demonstrated in the literature to be greater than 1.74%, TXA can be considered cost-effective in preventing blood transfusion following RSA.

The impact of long-term aspirin use on the patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty

BackgroundAlthough aspirin is increasingly utilized to reduce the event of severe perioperative complications, the effect of long-term aspirin use (L-AU) on perioperative complications in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty (SA) has not been well studied. The goal of the present study is to identify the influence of L-AU on perioperative complications in individuals undergoing SA.MethodsWe selected data from the National Inpatient Sample database between 2010 and 2019, to identify adult patients with SA. Patients were subsequently categorized into L-AU and whole non-L-AU cohorts according to the presence of aspirin use. The demographic and comorbidity characteristics were matched using propensity score matching (PSM). The Pearson chi-square test, Wilcoxon rank test and logistic regression were utilized to assess the association of L-AU with perioperative complications.ResultsFrom 2010 to 2019, a total of 162,418 SA patients satisfied the inclusion criteria, with 22,659 (13.95%) using aspirin on a long-term basis. The vast majority of the patients with pre-existing L-AU were aged 65–74 years, female, White and had Medicare insurance. L-AU before surgery was linked to increased risks of perioperative complications, such as blood transfusion (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.339), genitourinary disease (aOR: 1.349), acute renal failure (aOR: 1.292), acute myocardial infarction (aOR: 1.494), higher total charge (L-AU vs. the whole non-L-AU vs. matched non-L-AU: $66,727.15 vs. $59,697.08 vs. $59,926.32), and prolonged hospitalization stay (LOS) (aOR: 0.837). However, L-AU was considered a protective factor of acute cerebrovascular disease (aOR: 0.722) and stroke (aOR: 0.725).ConclusionsOur study is based on the largest open-access all-payer inpatient database, revealing a noteworthy finding of aspirin's protective and adverse impact on different postoperative complications in the US population, such as acute cardiovascular disease, and stroke, etc. Further studies assessing the optimum preoperative aspirin duration and dosage to meet the best benefit quantity for patients with planned joint arthroplasties are suggested.

Is there value in the routine practice of discarding the incision scalpel from the surgical field to prevent deep wound contamination with Cutibacterium acnes? An update.

Cutibacterium acnes (C.Acnes) is the most common microbe implicated in periprosthetic infection in shoulder arthroplasty. This is an update on a previous pilot study where we demonstrated the persistence of C. Acnes on the skin and contamination of the scalpel used for initial skin incision despite a robust pre surgical skin prep protocol.14 METHODS: A consecutive case series of patients undergoing primary or revision anatomic or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty by a single fellowship-trained surgeon at a tertiary referral hospital from November 2019 to December 2022 was collected. The scalpel blade used for initial skin incision for all patients was swabbed with cultures being held for 21 days according to C.Acnes specific protocol. Demographic data, medical comorbidities, surgical information, culture results, and any infections were documented. 100 patients (51 males, 49 females) meeting inclusion criteria were identified (mean age 66.91, range 44-93 years). Cultures returned positive for C.Acnes in 12 patients (12%) 11/12 being male OR 13.2 (95% Cl [1.73. 194.87]). No association was found between positive culture and age, BMI, medical comorbidities or procedure type. There were no postoperative infections in this patient cohort and they will continue to be monitored for development of infection. Despite stringent pre-surgical preparation and scrub protocols a significant portion of patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty have C.Acnes in culturable quantities on their skin at the time of incision. C.Acnes contamination is much more common in male patients. These findings should be taken into consideration in regard to preventive measures such as discarding the initial scalpel and avoiding unnecessary dermal contact during the procedure.

Sex-related differences in PROMs prior to the outcome: comparison of preoperative PROMIS physical function scores in female vs. male patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly used to evaluate outcomes in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty. The Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Information System (PROMIS) is popular due to low cost and question burden. Females have been reported to have lower postoperative PROMIS scores after shoulder surgery, but studies have not focused on a dedicated cohort of shoulder arthroplasty patients or examined upstream differences in preoperative scores. This study aimed to characterize sex differences in baseline PROMIS scores among anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) patients. Data were collected over a 9-month period. Demographics, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), smoking status, BMI, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores, PROMIS Pain, Physical Function (PF), Upper Extremity, Depression, and Anxiety scores, as well as Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) scores were collected. Student t-tests were performed to determine correlation with baseline PROMs. A minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of 4 was used to determine if a PROMIS score difference between groups was clinically important. Significance was set as P<.05. A total of 88 females (34 TSAs 54 rTSA) and 99 males (35 TSA, 64 rTSA) were enrolled. Only sex showed a correlation with preoperative PROMIS score. In rTSA patients, females had significantly lower preoperative PROMIS PF scores (P<.05). Among females undergoing TSA vs. rTSA, lower preoperative PROMIS PF scores were found in rTSA (P<.05). These differences exceeded the MCID of 4. The same difference was not found in men undergoing TSA vs. rTSA. Preoperative sex-based differences in PROMIS scores are underappreciated in the shoulder arthroplasty literature. This is the largest study to date focusing on sex-based differences among a dedicated cohort of TSA and rTSA patients, showing a difference in baseline PROMIS scores between males and females above the MCID. These findings suggest that PROMIS scores are affected by sex-based baseline differences in rTSA patients. Further study should investigate sex-based differences in baseline scores to determine their effects on ultimate outcome.

Prior bariatric surgery is associated with an increased rate of complications after primary shoulder arthroplasty independent of body mass index

Bariatric surgery (BS) is a debated, yet commonly used, management strategy in the treatment of morbidly obese patients. Despite recent advances in BS techniques, there is limited data on the potential impact of prior BS in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty. This investigation evaluated the outcomes of primary shoulder arthroplasty (SA) in patients with prior BS when compared to matched controls. Over a 31-year period (1989-2020), 183 primary SA (12 hemiarthroplasties [HAs], 59 anatomic total shoulder arthroplasties [aTSAs], and 112 reverse shoulder arthroplasties [RSAs]) in patients with prior BS and a minimum of 2-year follow-up had been performed at a single institution. This cohort was matched 1:1:1 according to age, sex, diagnosis, implant, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and SA surgical year to separate control groups of SA with no history of BS and a BMI of either <40 (low BMI group) or≥40(high BMI group). Surgical complications, medical complications, reoperations, revisions, and implant survivorship were assessed. The mean follow-up time was 6.8 years (range, 2-21 years). The bariatric surgery cohort had a higher rate of any complication (29.5% vs. 14.8% vs. 14.2%; P<.001), surgical complications (25.1% vs. 12.6% vs. 12.6%; P=.002), and noninfectious complications (20.2% vs. 10.4% vs. 9.8%; low P=.009 and high P=.005) relative to both low and high BMI groups. For BS patients, the 15-year survivorship free of any complication was 55.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 43.8%-70.5%) compared with 80.3% (95% CI, 72.3%-89.3%) in the low BMI group and 75.8% (65.6%-87.7%) in the high BMI group (P<.001). Comparisons of the bariatric and matched groups demonstrated no statistical differences between the risk of reoperation or revision surgery. When SA was performed within 2 years of BS, higher rates of complications (50% vs. 27.0%; P=.030), reoperations (35.0% vs. 8.0%; P=.002), and revisions (30.0% vs. 5.5%; P=.002) were observed. Primary shoulder arthroplasty in patients with prior bariatric surgery demonstrated an elevated complication profile when compared to matched cohorts of patients with no history of BS and either low or high BMI. These risks were more pronounced when shoulder arthroplasty was performed within 2 years of bariatric surgery. Care teams should be aware of the potential implications of the postbariatric metabolic state and investigate whether further perioperative optimization is warranted.

Volume distribution of primary shoulder arthroplasty among low- and high-volume surgeons

BackgroundCare from high-volume surgeons has been shown to improve patient outcomes and reduce revision rates, complications, and hospital stays. According to prior research, most shoulder arthroplasties are performed by lower volume surgeons. However, this research is limited as it does not account for the recent increase in case numbers and projected growth of shoulder arthroplasty, and was focused only to states with urban populations. The purpose of this study is to identify and compare contemporary shoulder arthroplasty practice patterns and volume distributions in the state of Iowa. MethodsThe Iowa Hospital Association Databank was queried using International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 procedure codes for primary total shoulder arthroplasty. Surgeon and hospital volume were stratified according to procedures performed yearly as: low-volume <15 arthroplasties yearly, medium-volume 15-49, and high-volume ≥50 arthroplasties yearly. The proportion of surgeon and hospital volume, and number of procedures performed by each group were assessed. Distance traveled by patients to visit high-volume vs. low-volume surgeons and hospitals was compared. ResultsIn 2019, 1847 primary shoulder arthroplasties were performed in the state of Iowa by 144 surgeons at 49 institutions. Seventy four percent (106/144) of these surgeons were considered low-volume, 20% (29/144) medium-volume, and only 6% (9/144) were high-volume. However, 43% (793/1847) of shoulder arthroplasties were performed by high-volume surgeons, and 18% (333/1847) by low-volume surgeons. Eighteen percent (9/49) of hospitals where shoulder arthroplasties were performed qualified as high-volume institutions, whereas 45% (22/49) were low-volume. Compared to previous results, 65% (1194/1847) of procedures were performed at high-volume institutions and 6% (118/1847) at low-volume institutions. There was a significant difference in median distance traveled for patients to access high vs. low-volume surgeons (34 vs. 14 miles, P < .0001), and high-volume vs. low-volume hospitals (30 vs. 14.5, P < .0001). DiscussionIn the state of Iowa, while only a small portion of surgeons are considered “high-volume”, almost half of primary shoulder arthroplasties are performed by high-volume surgeons. These findings differ from the previous literature regarding volume distribution in shoulder arthroplasty. Furthermore, the results from this study demonstrate a shift from former documented trends which in the past had indicated that most shoulder arthroplasties were performed by low-volume surgeons. Data from this current study provides a glimpse into the evolution in practice patterns for shoulder arthroplasty. As practice patterns continue to evolve, further investigation may demonstrate improved patient outcomes in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty at higher volume hospitals with high-volume surgeons.

Effect of supplemental testosterone use on shoulder arthroplasty infection rates

BackgroundSupplemental testosterone use among patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty can increase the Cutibacterium acnes load on the skin. Although higher C acnes loads on the skin are associated with higher amounts of bacteria in deep tissues, it is unknown whether preoperative testosterone use increases the risk of shoulder prosthetic joint infection. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if there is a temporal relationship between testosterone use and the risk of prosthetic joint infection after shoulder arthroplasty. MethodsThe PearlDiver database was queried to identify a cohort of patients who underwent shoulder arthroplasty (hemiarthroplasty, anatomic or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty) with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Current Procedural Terminology and International Classification of Diseases codes were used to compare the demographics and comorbidities of patients with (n = 2285) and without testosterone use (n = 41,712). Patients with testosterone use were further stratified by the duration between last testosterone use and surgery. Prosthetic joint infection rates were compared between those with and without testosterone use. ResultsThe overall prevalence of testosterone use was 3.4%. Patients who used testosterone within 6 months prior to shoulder arthroplasty had a significantly higher rate of prosthetic joint infection at 3.4% compared to those without use at 2.4% [odds ratio (OR) = 1.44 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-2.01), P = .042]. However, patients who used testosterone between 6 and 12 months before surgery did not have a significantly higher rate of infection. On multivariate analysis, only younger age [OR = 0.98 (95% CI: 0.97-0.99), P < .001] and diabetes [OR = 1.26 (95% CI: 1.10-1.44), P < .001] were independent risk factors for the development of an infection. ConclusionTestosterone use within 6 months of shoulder arthroplasty may be associated with higher rates of prosthesis joint infection. However, patients who were taking testosterone but stopped before surgery did not have a higher rate of infection compared to those who never used the medication. Surgeons should actively screen patients for testosterone use. A referral to the patient’s endocrinologist to discuss the risks and benefits of testosterone cessation prior to shoulder arthroplasty may also be warranted.

Shoulder arthroplasty in patients with multiple sclerosis: complications stratified by arthroplasty type

BackgroundDespite the prevalence of osteoarthritis in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) being equivalent to that of the general population, very little research exists on outcomes and complications following shoulder arthroplasty in patients with this condition. MethodsPatients with MS who underwent anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) were identified in a national insurance database. The following cohorts were then created for analysis: (1) patients with MS who underwent TSA, (2) patients with MS who underwent RSA for a diagnosis other than fracture, and (3) patients with MS who underwent RSA for a diagnosis of fracture. Patients who underwent TSA, RSA, and RSA for fracture without a diagnosis of MS were then identified and matched to study cohorts in a 5:1 manner for demographics and comorbidities for comparison purposes. Each cohort was then assessed for surgical complications (revision surgery, periprosthetic joint infection, prosthetic dislocation) and numerous medical complications. Comparisons were made with logistic regression analyses to control for confounders. ResultsOne thousand seventy seven patients with MS who underwent shoulder arthroplasty were identified, including 386 who underwent anatomic TSA, 570 who underwent RSA for a nonfracture diagnosis, and 121 who underwent RSA for acute or chronic fracture. These were compared to 1930 TSA controls, 2850 RSA controls, and 605 RSA for fracture controls without MS. Overall, the rates of surgical complications were similar between MS patients and their respective matched controls as well as between prosthesis types for MS patients, without any statistically significant differences. Patients with MS had significantly higher rates of urinary tract infections compared to controls for both TSA (odds ratio [OR] 2.48, P = .001) and RSA (OR 2.42, P < .001). Patients with MS who had an RSA for fracture had right rates of venous thromboembolism compared to controls (OR 4.01, P = .011) and RSA for nonfracture (OR 3.83, P = .016). ConclusionPatients with MS undergoing shoulder arthroplasty have similar rates of surgical complications compared to matched controls without MS and between prosthesis types. Patients with MS have higher rates of some postoperative medical complications, including urinary tract infection and venous thromboembolism. The results of the present study suggest that surgeons should not alter their treatment strategies or implant selection for patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty with a diagnosis of MS.

Higher rates of mortality and perioperative complications in patients undergoing primary shoulder arthroplasty and a history of previous stroke.

Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs), or strokes, are the second most common cause of mortality and third most common cause of disability worldwide. Although advances in the treatment of strokes have improved survivorship following these events, there remains a limited understanding of the effect of a prior stroke and sequelae on patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty (SA). This study aimed to determine the outcomes of patients with a history of stroke with sequela undergoing primary SA. Over a 30-year time period (1990-2020), 205 primary SAs (32 hemiarthroplasties [HAs], 56 anatomic total shoulder arthroplasties [aTSAs], and 117 reverse shoulder arthroplasties [RSAs]) were performed in patients who sustained a previous stroke with sequela and were followed for a minimum of 2 years. This cohort was matched (1:2) according to age, sex, body mass index, implant, and year of surgery with patients who had undergone HA or aTSA for osteoarthritis or RSA for cuff tear arthropathy. Mortality after primary SA was individually calculated through a cumulative incidence analysis. Implant survivorship was analyzed with a competing risk model selecting death as the competing risk. The stroke cohort sustained 38 (18.5%) surgical and 42 (20.5%) medical perioperative complications. Compared with the control group, the stroke cohort demonstrated higher rates of any surgical complication (18.5% vs 10.7%; P=.007), instability (6.3 % vs 1.7%; P=.002), venous thromboembolism (3.4% vs 0.5%; P=.004), pulmonary embolus (2.0% vs 0%; P=.005), postoperative stroke (2.4% vs 0%; P=.004), respiratory failure (1.0% vs 0%; P=.045), any medical complication (20.5% vs 7.3%; P<.001), and 90-day readmission (16.6% vs 4.9%; P<.001). Additionally, RSA in the stroke cohort was associated with higher reoperation (8.5% vs 2.6%; P=.011) and revision rates (6.8% vs 1.7%; P=.013) compared with the matched cohort. Subsequent cumulative incidences of death at 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 years were 4.4% vs 3.4%, 10.7% vs 5.1%, 25.6% vs 14.7%, 51.6% vs 39.3%, 74.3% vs 58.6%, and 92.6% vs 58.6% between the stroke and matched cohorts, respectively (P<.001). A preoperative diagnosis of a stroke in patients undergoing primary SA is associated with higher rates of perioperative complications and mortality when compared to a matched cohort. This information should be considered to counsel patients and surgeons to optimize care and help mitigate risks associated with the perioperative period.

Exactech Equinoxe anatomic versus reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for primary osteoarthritis: case controlled comparisons using the machine learning–derived Shoulder Arthroplasty Smart score

<h2>Abstract</h2><h3>Background</h3> The role of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) for glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA) with an intact rotator cuff remains unclear with prior investigations demonstrating similar patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) to anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA). However, legacy PROMs are subject to skewed distributions with many patients achieving the maximum possible score (ceiling scores). We evaluated a cohort of primary rTSAs performed for GHOA with an intact rotator cuff compared to a case matched cohort of aTSAs utilizing the Shoulder Arthroplasty Smart score (SAS), a machine learning derived PROM which eliminates the ceiling effect. <h3>Methods</h3> A retrospective review of an international shoulder arthroplasty database was performed between 2001 and 2020. Patients undergoing rTSA for rotator cuff intact GHOA (n = 367) were matched 1:1 with aTSA controls (n = 367) with a minimum of 2-year follow-up. Assessed variables included patient demographics, range of motion, American Shoulder Elbow Surgeons score (ASES), Constant, Simple Shoulder Test (SST), and the SAS score. <h3>Results</h3> Preoperatively, the SAS (49.0 vs. 45.2; <i>P</i> < .001), SST (4.7 vs. 4.1; <i>P</i> = .002), and Constant score (42.5 ± 15.3 vs. 38.1 ± 14.2; <i>P</i> < .001) were greater in aTSA versus rTSA. Similarly, the SAS score (82.3 vs. 77.6; <i>P</i> < .001) and SST score (10.8 vs. 10.3; <i>P</i> = .003) remained greater in aTSA postoperatively. In contrast, no differences in the ASES (<i>P</i> = .103) or Constant scores (<i>P</i> = .108) were found between aTSA and rTSA patients postoperatively. Improvement preoperatively to postoperatively did not differ between aTSA and rTSA patients when assessed using the SAS (<i>P</i> = .257), ASES (<i>P</i> = .888), or SST scores (<i>P</i> = .510). However, a higher rate of improvement in the Constant score (31.8 vs. 35.0; <i>P</i> = .022) was observed in the rTSA compared to aTSA. A higher rate of complications (5.4% vs. 1.6%; <i>P</i> = .008). and revision surgery (4.1% vs. 0.5%; <i>P</i> = .002) were observed in aTSA compared to rTSA. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty for rotator cuff intact GHOA experienced higher rates of complications and revisions in aTSA compared to rTSA, but similar levels of clinical improvement between implants when evaluated using a validated outcome score without a ceiling effect. Unlike the ASES and SST scores which are limited by ceiling effects, a higher mean postoperative SAS score after aTSA was observed but preoperative to postoperative SAS differences were similar to after rTSA.

Big data is being generated—What opportunities are being missed?

Chondrolysis is a rare complication after shoulder arthroscopy leading to early joint destruction. Shoulder arthroplasty may be considered for end-stage chondrolysis, but concerns exist about implant survivorship, given the younger age of this population. This study aimed to assess pain relief, function, and survivorship of shoulder arthroplasty for chondrolysis and to assess risk factors for failure.Between January 2000 and January 2013, 26 consecutive shoulders with chondrolysis were treated at our institution with shoulder arthroplasty. All shoulders had a prior arthroscopic procedure that predated a phase of rapid joint destruction. Twenty-three shoulders were followed up for a minimum of 2 years or until reoperation (mean, 4.0 years; range, 0.7-8.6 years). The mean age of the patients was 40 years (range, 21-58 years). Outcome measures included pain, range of motion, postoperative modified Neer ratings, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores, complications, and reoperations.At most recent follow-up, only 14 of 23 shoulders had no or mild pain. Overall pain scores improved from 4.7 to 2.6 points. Abduction and external rotation improved significantly. Five shoulders required reoperation, 2 for glenoid loosening and 1 each for infection, instability, and stiffness. Subjectively, 8 patients rated their shoulder as much better, 7 as better, 4 the same, and 4 worse. Most recent American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores averaged 64 points (range, 20-95 points).Shoulder arthroplasty for the treatment of chondrolysis improves pain and range of motion. However, patient satisfaction is variable. Early follow-up shows a higher than expected rate of reoperation (25%). Patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty for chondrolysis should be counseled appropriately about expectations after surgery.

The relationship between preoperative opioid use and adverse events following total shoulder arthroplasty.

Few studies have analyzed the effect of preoperative opioid use on postoperative outcomes after total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). Patients undergoing TSA were identified in the Pearldiver Humana Claims Dataset and stratified by level of preoperative opioid use. Primary outcomes were 90-day complications, readmissions, and revision surgery. Chi-square test and ANOVA were used to evaluate categorical and continuous variables respectively. A multivariable logistic regression analysis and a sub analysis excluding fracture as a primary diagnosis were completed. 18,791 patients underwent aTSA and rTSA including 9933 opioid naïve patients, 3016 sporadic opioid users and 5842 persistent opioid users. Significant differences were found in complications (6.0% vs 6.1% vs 9.1%, p < .001), readmission (7.6% vs 8.2% vs 12.6%, p < .001), and revision procedures (1.1% vs 1.1% vs 2.3%, p < .001) which remained significant after excluding fractures. After adjusting for comorbidity burden, persistent opioid use was associated with increased likelihood of complications (OR 1.4, 1.2-1.6), readmission (OR 1.6, 1.5-1.8) and revision procedures (OR 1.9, 1.5-2.4). This association remained after excluding fractures. Persistent preoperative opioid use is associated with increased risk of early postoperative complications, readmission, and revision surgery for patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty.

Diabetes increases risk for readmission and infection after shoulder arthroplasty: A national readmissions study of 113,713 patients

BackgroundThe recent increasing popularity of shoulder arthroplasty has been paralleled by a rise in prevalence of diabetes in the United States. We aimed to evaluate the impact of diabetes status on readmission and short-term complications among patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty. MethodsWe analyzed the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Readmissions Database (NRD) between the years 2016–2018. Patients were included in the study if they underwent anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) according to ICD-10 procedure codes. Postoperative complications including surgical site/joint infection, dislocation, prosthetic complications, hardware-related complications, non-infectious wound complications, 30-day, and 90-day readmission were collected. ResultsA total of 113,713 shoulder arthroplasty patients were included. 23,749 (20.9%) had a diagnosis of diabetes and 89,964 (79.1%) did not. On multivariate analysis, a diagnosis of diabetes led to an increased risk of 30-day (OR: 1.24; 95% CI: [1.14, 1.34]; p < 0.001) and 90-day (OR: 1.18; 95% CI: [1.12, 1.25]; p < 0.001) readmission, surgical site/joint infection (OR: 1.21; 95% CI: [1.06, 1.38]; p = 0.005), respiratory complication (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: [1.09, 1.64]; p = 0.005), postoperative infection (OR: 1.22; 95% CI [1.07, 1.39]; p = 0.003), and deep vein thrombosis (OR: 1.38; 95% CI: [1.09, 1.74]; p = 0.007). ConclusionsOur findings suggest that patients with diabetes may be at an increased risk of readmission, infection, respiratory complication, and deep vein thrombosis following shoulder arthroplasty. Shoulder surgeons should consider these potential adverse events when planning postoperative care for patients with diabetes.

OPIOID PRESCRIBING AFTER DISCHARGE FROM ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY: AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT- AND TRAINEE-LED COLLABORATION

Excessive postoperative opioid prescribing is a significant contributor to the opioid crisis. Prescribing in orthopaedic surgery is often further complicated by high use of opioid-based preoperative analgesia. ‘Opioid PrEscRiptions and usage After Surgery’ (OPERAS) is an international multicentre prospective student- and trainee-led collaborative study which aims to quantify the amount of opioids prescribed at discharge after common orthopaedic surgeries against what is consumed by patients at 7-days, and assess the impact of opioids on patient-reported outcomes.Data is being collected over 6 14-day periods on consecutive adult patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty, rotator cuff repair, shoulder labral repair, anterior cruciate ligament repair, hip arthroplasty, and knee arthroplasty, with follow-up via telephone call at 7-days after discharge. The primary outcome is the proportion of oral morphine equivalents (OME) of prescribed opioids versus consumed opioids at 7-days post-discharge.This ongoing study is actively recruiting in over 20 countries. Globally, 65 centres are collecting orthopaedic, including 10 New Zealand centres and 17 Australian centres. To date, 284 orthopaedic patients have been prospectively enrolled with complete data (mean age 59.6 ± 16.7 years; 51.6% female). Overall, 77% and 89% of patients were prescribed opioids on discharge in New Zealand and Australia respectively. On average, 60% of prescribed opioids were consumed at 7-days post-discharge globally (150 OME (75-500) vs. 90 OME (15-200); p&lt;0.01). In New Zealand and Australia, 42.1% (285 OME (150-584) vs. 120 OME (6-210); p&lt;0.01) and 63.3% (150 OME (86-503) vs. 95 OME (28-221); p&lt;0.01) of prescribed opioids were consumed at 7-days, respectively.OPERAS will provide the first high-quality global data on opioid prescription and consumption patterns with patient perspectives. These data can inform prescribing practice and inform guidelines. The growing interest in New Zealand and Australia in student- and trainee-led orthopaedic collaborative research, as evidenced by this study should be actively encouraged and fostered.

Increased Risk of Periprosthetic Fractures and Revision Arthroplasty in Patients Undergoing Shoulder Arthroplasty With a History of Prior Fragility Fractures: A Matched Cohort Analysis.

As rates of anatomic and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (SA) continue to grow, an increase in the number of osteoporotic patients undergoing SA, including those who have sustained prior fragility fractures, is expected. The purpose of this study was to examine short-term, implant-related complication rates and secondary fragility fractures after SA in patients with and without a history of fragility fractures. A propensity score-matched retrospective cohort study was done using the PearlDiver database to characterize the effect of antecedent fragility fractures in short-term complications after SA. Rates of revision SA, periprosthetic fractures, infection, and postoperative fragility fractures were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Risks of these complications were also studied in patients with and without preoperative osteoporosis treatment. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. A total of 91,212 SA patients were identified, with 13,050 (14.3%) experiencing a fragility fracture within the 3 years before SA. Two years after SA, there were increased odds of periprosthetic fracture (odds ratio [OR] 2.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.68 to 2.99), fragility fracture (OR 9.11, 95% CI 8.43 to 9.85), deep infection (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.34 to 2.12), and all-cause revision SA (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.44 to 1.96) within those patients who had experienced a fragility fracture within 3 years before their SA. Patients who were treated for osteoporosis with bisphosphonates and/or vitamin D supplementation before their SA had similar rates of postoperative periprosthetic fractures, fragility fractures, and all-cause revision SA to those who did not receive pharmacologic treatment. Sustaining a fragility fracture before SA portends substantial postoperative risk of periprosthetic fractures, infection, subsequent fragility fractures, and all-cause revision SA at the 2-year postoperative period. Pharmacotherapy did not markedly decrease the rate of these complications. These results are important for surgeons counseling patients who have experienced prior fragility fractures on the risks of SA.

Short to Early-Mid Term Clinical Outcomes and Survival of Pyrocarbon Shoulder Implants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The appropriate surgical treatment option for young and active patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty for arthritis remains questionable. Pyrolitic carbon (pyrocarbon) has been shown to improve implant longevity and decrease wear when in contact with cartilage or bone. The present systematic review aimed to evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes as well as the survivorship of pyrocarbon shoulder implants. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines were followed. A systematic search was performed using the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases. All the studies dealing with the use of pyrolitic shoulder implants were pooled, data of interest were extracted and statistically analyzed through meta-analysis. A total of 9 studies were included for a total of 477 shoulders treated. The overall mean rate of survival of the implants was 93.4 ± 5.8% and 80% ± 26.5% at 2 years and final follow up, respectively, while resulting 82.4% ± 22.1% and 92.3% ± 3.5% for PISA (pyrocarbon interposition shoulder arthroplasty) and hemi-arthroplasty/hemi-resurfacing, respectively. Pyrolitic carbon shoulder implants showed good survivorship and clinical outcomes at an early to early-midterm follow-up. More studies and better-designed trials are needed in order to enrich the evidence on long-term outcomes and comparison with other shoulder replacement options for young and active patients. IV.