Introduction There has been an increase in volume and cost of total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). Performing procedures in high-volume inpatient centers and outpatient centers can help limit costs while preserving quality. This study aims to identify whether a difference in length of stay (LOS) and cost exists between income levels in patients hospitalized for TSA and reverse TSA (R-TSA) to identify potential disparities. Methodology NIS data defined by ICD-10 codes for patients diagnosed with primary shoulder osteoarthritis undergoing TSA or R-TSA between 2016 and 2019 were collected. Demographic, social, and comorbidity data were collected and stratified by income quartile. Results Patients had R-TSA (n = 173,695) more frequently than TSA (n = 149,075). The mean age was greater for R-TSA (71.8) than TSA (67.0) and increased by income quartile (P < 0.0001). Among TSA, LOS (days) decreased Q1 (1.50) to Q2 (1.40) and then remained consistent Q2–Q4. Among R-TSA, LOS decreased Q1 (1.67) to Q2 (1.64) to Q3 (1.62) and then increased in Q4 (1.65) (P = 0.03). The lowest income quartile had the highest cost in R-TSA and the second highest in TSA (P < 0.0001). By location, the percentage of urban teaching hospitals increased by income quartile, while the percentage of rural hospitals decreased by quartile (P < 0.0001). Conclusion Low-income shoulder arthroplasty patients had the longest LOS, high costs, and account for vast majority of rural cases. R-TSA had higher costs and LOS across income quartiles than TSA. Continued attention needs to be placed on the disparities in resource utilization for upper extremity arthroplasty among patients of different socioeconomic status.
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