Undergoing Shoulder Arthroplasty Research Articles

Trend shift in proximal humeral fracture treatment: a detailed review of national shoulder arthroplasty data.

This study aimed to scrutinize nationwide utilization trends of shoulder arthroplasty for proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) using a comprehensive national surgical database. A retrospective study was conducted with 4181 patients who underwent shoulder arthroplasty due to PHF between 2016 and 2022 using national health records. They are grouped as hemiarthroplasty (HA), anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), and reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). The patients' demographic data, length of hospital stay, revision histories, transfusion rates, mortality data, trends in arthroplasty methods over the years, the distribution of cases by hospital characteristics and geographical regions were analyzed. Treatment with HA was administered to 22.1% of patients, TSA to 30.2%, and RSA to 47.7%. The lowest revision rate was observed after HA (4.3%), while higher rates were recorded after TSA (7.9%) and RSA (7.4%) (p = 0.019). It was observed that there was a significant increasing trend in RSA rates and a decreasing trend in HA and TSA rates over time (p < 0.001). From 2016 to 2022, there appears to have been a significant increase in the utilization of RSA for the arthroplasty treatment of proximal humeral fractures in Türkiye, and it is used more frequently than HA. However, revision rates after RSA are still higher than those after HA. Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Enhanced Risk of 90-Day Medical and 2-Year Implant Related Complications in Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Patients with Osteoporosis.

BackgroundAs the average age of patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty (SA) increases, the frequency of SA patients with osteoporosis is expected to rise. While the effects of osteoporosis have been described in the broader orthopedic literature, it is presently unclear how osteoporosis affects SA postoperative medical and implant-related outcomes. MethodsA multicenter database TriNetX was queried for patients between 2011-2021 who underwent SA with and without osteoporosis. Patients with less than 2-years of follow-up and those with a prior shoulder hemiarthroplasty were excluded. Primary outcomes included 2-year periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), prosthesis dislocation, periprosthetic fracture, and revision surgery. Secondary outcomes included 90-day medical complications and readmissions. Osteoporotic and control patient cohorts were propensity matched in a 1:1 ratio. Results7,842 patients were included after matching in each cohort. Baseline demographic variables were similar between groups, except osteoporotic patients had a lower BMI (28.6 vs 31.0 kg/m2; p < 0.001). Osteoporotic patients undergoing SA were more likely to experience wound disruptions, stroke, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, myocardial infarction, anemia, pneumonia, renal failure, transfusion, and readmission within 90 days after surgery. At 2 years postoperative, osteoporotic SA patients experienced an elevated risk of mechanical loosening, PJI, dislocation, periprosthetic fracture, and required revision surgery at a higher rate than control patients. ConclusionsOsteoporotic patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty are at greater risk for medical complications within the 90-day peri-operative period as well as implant-related complications within 2 years of surgery. Patients and surgeons should be aware of the potential higher risk of complications in osteoporotic patients following SA, and further investigation into benefits of preoperative management and treatment of osteoporosis is necessary.

Preoperative Planning for Shoulder Arthroplasty is Feasible with Computed Tomography at Lower-Than-Conventional Radiation Doses

Computed tomography (CT) offers a detailed assessment of the shoulder for preoperative shoulder arthroplasty planning; however, this technique exposes the patient to ionizing radiation. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the practicality of reducing the CT radiation dose compared to conventional dose levels for manual and preoperative planning software measurements for shoulder arthroplasty. A total of 10 shoulder CT examinations were performed for preoperative planning purposes on a dual x-ray source CT scanner. A specialized dose-split scan technique was utilized to reconstruct CT images corresponding to 100%, 70%, and 30% radiation dose relative to our institution's standard of care imaging protocol. Glenoid version, inclination, and humeral head subluxation were measured manually by three authors and by commercially available software platforms. These measurements were analyzed for agreement between the 100%, 70%, and 30% dose levels for each patient. Tolerances of 5° of glenoid version, 5° of glenoid inclination, and 10% humeral head subluxation were used as equivalent for preoperative planning. Automated measurements of 70% dose images were within 5° of version, 5° of inclination, and 10% subluxation in 95.0% of cases. Manual measurements of 70% RD images were within 5° of version for 90.0% of cases, 5° of inclination in 86.7% of cases, and 10% subluxation in 100% of cases. Automated measurements from the 30% dose images were within 5° of version, 5° of inclination, and 10% subluxation for 100% of cases. Manual measurements from the 30% dose images were within 5° of version for 86.7% of cases, 5° of inclination in 76.7% of cases, and 10% subluxation in 100% of cases. The mean absolute difference in software measurement of glenoid version (p = 0.96), glenoid inclination (p = 0.64), or humeral head subluxation (p = 0.09) or in aggregated manual mean absolute difference of version (p = 0.22), inclination (p = 0.31), or humeral head subluxation (p = 0.56) was not significant. Good to excellent reliability was determined by interclass correlation coefficients among the manual observers and automatic software platforms for measurements at all doses (P<0.001) CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that both preoperative planning software platforms and human observers produced similar measurements of glenoid version, inclination, and humeral head subluxation from reduced-dose images compared to standard of care doses. By implementing reduced dose techniques in preoperative shoulder CT, the potential risks associated with radiation exposure could be reduced for patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty.

Does Use of GLP-1 Agonists Increase Postoperative Complications in Patients Undergoing Shoulder Arthroplasty?

Amidst the rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity among individuals undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), the impact of glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) therapy on surgical outcomes merits thorough investigation. Though it is known that GLP-1 therapy poses an interesting challenge for anesthesia during the perioperative period, little is known regarding the effects of these medications on surgical outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of GLP-1 on postoperative outcomes and length of stay (LOS) in T2DM patients undergoing TSA. A retrospective cohort analysis was performed using a national database to identify primary TSA patients aged 18 and above with T2DM prescribed GLP-1 therapy at the time of surgery. Exclusion criteria included revision surgery, TSA for fracture, type 1 diabetes, steroid-induced diabetes, and contraindications for GLP-1 therapy. A control group of T2DM TSA patients not on GLP-1 therapy was used, and a 1:4 propensity-score match was performed. Incidence rates and odds ratios (OR) via multivariable logistic regression were calculated. The primary outcomes were 90-day major medical complications and LOS. Secondary outcomes included 2-year joint-related complications. In the 90-day follow-up cohort, 64,567 patients met inclusion criteria, with 8,481 (13.1%) on GLP-1 therapy. No significant increase in 90-day major complications, including DVT, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, urinary tract infection, surgical site infection, hypoglycemic event, sepsis, or readmission, was found between GLP-1 and non-GLP-1 cohorts after multivariable logistic regression. In the 2-year follow-up cohort, 47,814 patients were included, with 5,969 (12.5%) on GLP-1 therapy. Similarly, 2-year joint-related complications, including all-cause revision, prosthetic joint infection, periprosthetic fracture, and aseptic revision, showed no significant differences between the GLP-1 and non-GLP-1 cohorts. No significant difference was observed in LOS in the 90-day cohort. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of GLP-1 therapy's impact on TSA outcomes, revealing no significant change in postoperative complications or LOS. The lack of increased postoperative risk underscores the potential of GLP-1 therapy in managing T2DM without adverse effects on TSA recovery. These insights contribute to understanding postoperative management in orthopedic surgery, indicating that we did not note any increased risk with GLP-1 use perioperatively in TSA patients, unlike in other populations like the TKA patients. Future research should focus on prospective analyses to further elucidate the role of GLP-1 therapy in surgical outcomes, aiming to enhance patient care and optimize postoperative strategies for T2DM patients undergoing TSA.

Synovial Fluid Leukocytes as Diagnostic Marker in Periprosthetic Shoulder Infection

BackgroundLimited data exist regarding the diagnostic accuracy of synovial fluid leukocyte count (SFLC) in diagnosing periprosthetic shoulder infection (PSI). The main objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of leukocyte count at a common threshold of 3 cells/nL and the optimal cut-off value. MethodsPatients, who underwent shoulder arthroplasty revision surgery and aspiration with SFLC between 2012 and 2023 were retrospectively included. The International Consensus Meeting (ICM) 2018 definition was used to characterize infection status for SFLC threshold and synovial fluid neutrophil percentage (SFNP). Sensitivity and specificity were presented using cross tabulation. The area under the curve was calculated, and the optimal cut-off was determined using maximized Youden Index. Results35 cases with an average age of 71 years (43% male) were included in our study. At a threshold of 3 cells/nL, SFLC showed a sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 83%. The corresponding positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) were 89% and 59%. We found the optimal cut-off for our cohort at 4.7 cells/nL, increasing specificity to 92% while maintaining sensitivity at 70% (PPV = 94%, NPV = 61%). SFNP at a cut-off of 80% demonstrated 50% sensitivity and 91% specificity, with corresponding PPV and NPV of 92% and 48%. The optimum threshold for SFNP was 54%, which had a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 64%, as well as a PPV of 81%, and NPV of 58%. The area under the curve was 0.72 for SFLC and 0.74 for SFNP. Sonication detected pathogens in 63% of cases, while 57% of all cases showed positive tissue cultures and 43% positive aspirate cultures. Especially the most frequently found microorganism, Cutibacterium acnes, was detected less often in aspirate culture. ConclusionsSFLC shows good specificity but moderate sensitivity for diagnosing PSI when using a threshold of 4.7 cells/nL. Therefore, it can serve as a confirmatory test for diagnosing PSI but not for ruling out infection.

OUTCOMES OF SHOULDER JOINT ENDOPROSTHETICS AFTER REMOVAL OF TUMORS IN THE HUMERUS

Introduction. The use of endoprostheses of the shoulder joint is possible with primary and secondary (metastatic) tumor lesions of the proximal part of the humerus. The possibility of using both individual oncological endoprostheses and modular oncological endoprostheses for tumors of the proximal part of the humerus is reported. Aim. To assess the effectiveness of restoring the function of the shoulder joint and upper limb and improving the patient's quality of life after shoulder joint arthroplasty for tumors of the proximal part of the humerus. Materials and methods. The results of the treatment of 27 patients who underwent shoulder arthroplasty in the conditions of the clinical departments of the "Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine" for tumors of the proximal part of the humerus from 2014 to 2024 were evaluated. Endoprosthesis was performed in 22 (81.5%) patients with primary tumors of the proximal part of the humerus and in 5 (18.5%) with metastatic tumors. Endoprosthesis of the shoulder joint was performed with individual oncological endoprostheses in 24 (88.9%) patients and modular oncological endoprostheses in 3 (11.1%) patients. Arthroplasty was primary in 25 (92.6%) patients and secondary in 2 (7.4%) patients. Results. During follow-up, 3 (11.1%) patients died with an average follow-up period of 10.3±1.9 months, the other 24 (88.9%) were alive, with an average follow-up period of 88.1±8.7 months. The overall frequency of complications in our study was 6 (22.2%) cases, 3 (11.1%) patients had an infectious complication in the late postoperative period after 12, 24 and 36 months, 1 (3.7%) patient had aseptic loosening of the leg of the endoprosthesis after 36 months, in 2 (7.4%) patients after 5 and 6 months, dislocation of the head of the endoprosthesis from the joint cavity was noted. Local tumor recurrence was observed in 2 (7.4%) patients. The overall mean MSTS total limb functional outcome after shoulder arthroplasty for all 27 patients was 74.2%, and of the 24 patients who survived, the mean limb functional outcome after shoulder arthroplasty was 78.4%. The patients' quality of life (according to the EORTQ-QLQ-С30 questionnaire) increased from 32 points in the preoperative period to 78 points after shoulder joint replacement. Conclusions. Endoprosthetics is a modern method for reconstructing bone segments in the surgical treatment of tumors of long bones in the limbs. This method allows for the replacement of bone defects of any size (volume) and length. Shoulder joint endoprosthetics within the framework of combination and multimodal treatment of primary and metastatic tumors of the proximal part of the humerus provides restoration of both shoulder joint functions and the upper limb as a whole, thereby improving the quality of life for this group of patients.

OPTIMIZING PREOPERATIVE HAEMOGLOBIN MONITORING AND TRANSFUSION PRACTICES IN SHOULDER ARTHROPLASTY SURGERY: A COST-EFFECTIVE ANALYSIS OF PREOPERATIVE ADMISSIONS IN THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE

Shoulder replacement surgery is a well-established orthopaedic procedure designed to significantly enhance patients’ quality of life. However, the prevailing preoperative admission practices within our tertiary shoulder surgery unit involve a two-stage group and save testing process, necessitating an admission on the evening before surgery. This protocol may unnecessarily prolong hospital stays without yielding substantial clinical benefits.The principal aim of our study is to assess the necessity of conducting two preoperative group and save blood tests and to evaluate the requirement for blood transfusions in shoulder arthroplasty surgeries. A secondary objective is to reduce hospital stay durations and the associated admission costs for patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty. We conducted a retrospective observational study covering the period from 1st January 2023 to 31st August 2023, collecting data from shoulder arthroplasty procedures across three hospitals within the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.Our analysis included 21 total shoulder replacement cases and 13 reverse shoulder replacement cases. Notably, none of the patients required postoperative blood transfusions. The mean haemoglobin drop observed was 14 g/L for total shoulder replacements and 15 g/L for reverse shoulder replacements. The mean elective admission duration was 2.4 nights for total shoulder replacements and 2 nights for reverse shoulder replacements. Our data indicated that hospital stays were extended by one night primarily due to the preoperative group and save blood tests.In light of these findings, we propose a more streamlined admission process for elective shoulder replacement surgery, eliminating the need for the evening-before-surgery group and save testing. Hospital admissions in these units incur a cost of approximately £500 per night, while the group and save blood tests cost around £30 each. This revised admission procedure is expected to optimise the use of healthcare resources and improve patient satisfaction without compromising clinical care.

Factors influencing patient decision-making to undergo shoulder arthroplasty.

Shoulder arthroplasty is effective in the management of end-stage glenohumeral joint arthritis. However, it is major surgery and patients must balance multiple factors when considering the procedure. An understanding of patients' decision-making processes may facilitate greater support of those considering shoulder arthroplasty and inform the outcomes of future research. Participants were recruited from waiting lists of three consultant upper limb surgeons across two NHS hospitals. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 participants who were awaiting elective shoulder arthroplasty. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Systematic coding was performed; initial codes were categorized and further developed into summary narratives through a process of discussion and refinement. Data collection and analyses continued until thematic saturation was reached. Two overall categories emerged: the motivations to consider surgery, and the information participants used to inform their decision-making. Motivations were, broadly, the relief of pain and the opportunity to get on with life and regain independence. When participants' symptoms and restrictions prevented them enjoying life to a sufficient extent, this provided the motivation to proceed with surgery. Younger participants tended to focus on maintaining employment and recreational activities, and older patients were eager to make the most of their remaining lifetime. Participants gathered information from a range of sources and were keen to optimize their recovery where possible. An important factor for participants was whether they trusted their surgeon and were prepared to delegate responsibility for elements of their care. Relief of pain and the opportunity to get on with life were the primary reasons to undergo shoulder arthroplasty. Participants highlighted the importance of the patient-surgeon relationship and the need for accurate information in an accessible format which is relevant to people of different ages and functional demands.

Readability of English and Spanish online patient education materials for shoulder arthroplasty

BackgroundOnline patient educational materials (OPEMs) are a vital source of information for those undergoing shoulder arthroplasty, though their utility is limited by patient health literacy as the average American reads at an eighth-grade level. To promote optimal reading comprehension, the American Medical Association and National Institutes of Health recommend that OPEMs be written at or below a sixth-grade level. The purpose of this study is to analyze the readability of English and Spanish shoulder arthroplasty OPEMs. MethodsGoogle Search was used to identify the first 25 eligible Shoulder Arthroplasty OPEMs in both English and Spanish using the search terms “shoulder replacement” and “reemplazo de hombro.” Readability of the English OPEMs was calculated using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Flesch Reading Ease Index (FRE), Flesch Reading Ease Grade Level, Gunning-Fog Index, Coleman-Liau Index, and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook Index. The readability of Spanish OPEMs was calculated using the Fernandez-Huerta Index (FHI; the Spanish version of FRE), Fernandez-Huerta Index Grade Level, Gutiérrez de Polini's Fórmula de compresibilidad, and Índice Flesch-Szigriszt. ResultsThe mean FHI of Spanish OPEMs was significantly higher than the mean FRE of English OPEMs (60.09 vs. 51.48). As such, Spanish OPEMs were written at a significantly lower grade level than English OPEMs (9.70 vs. 11.53). There was not an English or Spanish OPEM that was written at or below a sixth-grade reading level. 4% of Spanish OPEMs and 4% of English OPEMs were written below an eighth-grade reading level. 52% of Spanish OPEMs and 8% of English OPEMs were written between an eighth- and ninth-grade reading level. The designation of OPEMs as being Very Easy/Easy, Standard/Normal, Fairly/Somewhat Difficult, or Difficult/Very Difficult was significantly dependent on whether the OPEM was written in English or Spanish. Discussion and conclusionEnglish shoulder arthroplasty OPEMs were written at a higher reading difficulty than Spanish OPEMs. However, neither English nor Spanish OPEMs were written at a reading level at or below the recommended sixth-grade reading level. As older adults and those in the United States with limited English proficiency are susceptible to low health literacy, OPEMs must be written at an accessible reading level for all. Addressing these disparities in OPEM readability will improve patient care and understanding of shoulder arthroplasty and other orthopedic procedures.

High in-hospital preoperative anxiety levels are not associated with an increased length of stay or readmission following primary shoulder arthroplasty

BackgroundAnxiety is prevalent in our society, affecting all facets of patients’ lives. There is, however, a paucity of literature exploring how anxiety extends into the orthopedic perioperative setting. We sought to analyze a subset of patients undergoing primary shoulder arthroplasty to determine whether correlations exist between anxiety, patient characteristics, time spent in the hospital, and likelihood of returning to the hospital after discharge. MethodsAfter obtaining institutional review board approval, our hospital prospectively identified and approached all patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty between February and June of 2023. Patients completed the Visual Analog Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A) and Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS), two validated tools used to assess preoperative anxiety levels and need for information, in the preoperative holding area before surgery. Patient demographics, hospital length of stay (LOS), and 30-day readmission rate were collected and analyzed. ResultsA total of 79 patients were enrolled. Nineteen percent of patients were found to be anxious using the APAIS tool, while 37.7% of patients were found to be anxious using the VAS-A tool. No significant correlation was found between APAIS or VAS-A anxiety scoring and hospital LOS. No significant correlation was found between APAIS or VAS-A anxiety scoring and 30-day readmission rate. A significant correlation was found between APAIS anxiety scoring and body mass index (BMI), as well as VAS-A scoring and BMI. However, no significant correlation was found between BMI and hospital LOS or between BMI and 30-day readmission rate. ConclusionOur study did not find a statistically significant correlation between immediate preoperative anxiety levels in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty and their length of stay or 30-day readmission rate. We did discover a linear relationship between patient BMI and their preoperative anxiety scores; however, no significant direct correlation was found between a patient’s BMI and their length of stay or their 30-day readmission rate. Our findings suggest that higher levels of preoperative anxiety should not preclude a patient from the benefits of consideration of early discharge planning such as same-day total shoulder replacement.

A transitional pain management program is associated with reduced opioid dependence after major shoulder surgery

BackgroundOver-prescription of opioids in the United States increases risks of opioid dependence, overdose, and death. Increased perioperative and postoperative opioid use during orthopedic shoulder surgery is a significant risk factor for long term opioid dependence. The authors hypothesized that a multidisciplinary perioperative pain management program (Transitional Pain Service or TPS) for major shoulder surgery would lead to a reduced amount of opioids required postoperatively. MethodsA TPS was implemented at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center focused on non-opioid pain management and cessation support. Opioid consumption during the implementation of the TPS was compared to a historical cohort. All patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty or rotator cuff repair were included. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients continuing opioid use at 90 days postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included postoperative pain scores, time to opioid cessation, and median opioid tablets consumed at 90-days. A multivariable model was developed to predict total opioid use at 90-days postoperatively. Kaplan Meier curves were calculated for time to opioid cessation. ResultsThe TPS group demonstrated decreased persistent opioid use at 90 days post-discharge (12.6% vs. 28.6%; p=0.018). Independent predictors associated with increased total opioid tablet prescriptions at 90 days included length of stay (β=19.17), anxiety diagnosis (β=37.627), and number of tablets prescribed at discharge (β=1.353). Shoulder arthroplasty surgery (TSA) was associated with decreased 90-day opioid utilization (β= -32.535) when compared to cuff repair (RCR). Median time to cessation was shorter in TSA (6 days) when compared with RCR (8 days). Pain scores were reduced compared to population mean by post-discharge day 2 for TSA and by post-discharge day 7 for RCR. Median number of post-discharge opioid tablets (oxycodone 5 mg) consumed under TPS management was 25 in both RCR and TSA surgery groups (180 MME). Discussion and ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that a TPS reduces the amount of opioid use of patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty or cuff repair at 90 days when compared with a historical control. Multivariable regression indicated that fewer opioid tablets at discharge was a modifiable factor that may aid in reducing opioid consumption and that anxiety diagnosis, increased length of stay, and cuff repair surgery were other factors independently associated with increased opioid consumption. This data will assist surgeons in counseling patients, setting narcotic use expectations, and minimizing overprescribing. Use of a similar multidisciplinary perioperative pain management program may greatly reduce opioid over prescriptions nationally.

Shoulder arthroplasty in the upper extremity weight-bearing patient: a systematic review of clinical outcomes and complications

Patients who rely on their upper extremities for ambulation, or upper extremity ambulators (UEAs), place considerable stress on their shoulders through the use of assistive devices like walkers, crutches, canes, and wheelchairs. It has been postulated that UEAs may be at increased risk for complications following shoulder arthroplasty. This study aimed to systematically review the literature related to (1) patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs), (2) functional outcomes, and (3) complications in UEAs who undergo shoulder arthroplasty. A systematic review of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases was performed to identify studies reporting clinical outcomes of shoulder arthroplasty in UEAs. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, patient-reported outcomes measures, radiographic outcomes, and postoperative range of motion were collected and compared to control patients (ie bipedal ambulators) from the constituent studies. A total of eight studies evaluating 248 UEA cases and 206 control cases were included for review. Ambulatory assistive devices utilized by UEAs included walkers (39%), wheelchairs (38%), canes (22%), and a crutch (<1%). Among UEA cases, 197 (79%) reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), 37 (15%) anatomic TSA, and 14 (6%) hemiarthroplasty were performed. Overall, patients exhibited significant improvements in mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores, Constant-Murley scores, Simple Shoulder Test scores, and Visual Analog Scale scores postoperatively. Among 3 studies that included comparison with control groups of bipedal ambulators, no significant differences in outcomes were identified. The overall clinical complication rate was 17% for UEAs compared to 9.1% for controls. The rate of revision surgery was 7.7% for UEAs and 4.9% for bipedal ambulators. UEAs experience satisfactory pain relief, functional improvements, and good subjective outcomes following shoulder arthroplasty. However, complication and revision rates are higher compared to those for bipedal ambulators, and the majority of UEAs undergo reverse shoulder arthroplasty compared to anatomic TSA.

Shoulder arthroplasty outcomes in a series of patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease: a retrospective analysis

BackgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes resting tremor and rigidity. Total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) in patients with PD has proven to be a challenging clinical scenario and is associated with a high risk of complications. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between patients diagnosed with PD and outcomes following shoulder arthroplasty (SA). MethodsInstitutional records were queried for patients with PD who underwent SA from 2009 to 2020. Patient medical documentation was retrospectively reviewed to assess demographic information, comorbidity status, preoperative and postoperative range of motion measurements, and complications. Mean ± standard deviation was reported for continuous variables. ResultsA total of 17 patients were identified that met the inclusion criteria. The mean age of the cohort was 57.6 ± 10.6 years at the time of PD diagnosis and 68.1 ± 6.9 years at the time of surgery. The mean follow-up was 1.6 ± 1.2 years. The most common indications for surgery were degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis, rotator cuff arthropathy, proximal humerus fracture, and rotator cuff tear (1). Mean forward elevation improved from 126.6 ± 24.8° to 131.2 ± 27.8°; mean external rotation improved from 29.4 ± 17.3° to 38.8 ± 10.5°. DiscussionSA is an effective method of improving pain and function in PD patients. Patients undergoing anatomic TSA exhibited the most robust functional improvement in this cohort; however, anatomic TSA was associated with postoperative complications and similar functional measurements were achieved at final follow-up in patients who underwent reverse TSA. Thus, significant care must be taken to ensure the correct implant is chosen on an individual basis to maximize the potential for functional improvement.

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...

The effect of social deprivation on hospital utilization following shoulder arthroplasty

BackgroundDisparities in social determinants of health have been linked to worse patient-reported outcomes and higher rates of hospital readmission following shoulder arthroplasty. Identification of perioperative predictors of increased healthcare utilization is of particular interest to surgeons to improve outcomes and mitigate the total cost of care. The effect of social deprivation on healthcare utilization has not been fully characterized in the context of shoulder arthroplasty. MethodsA retrospective review was performed from of a single institution’s experience with primary shoulder arthroplasty between 2012 and 2020. Demographic variables (age, race, and legal sex) and healthcare utilization (hospital readmission, emergency department (ED) visits, follow-up visits, and telephone calls) were recorded within 90 days of surgery. The Area Deprivation Index was recorded, and patients were separated into terciles according to their relative level of social deprivation. Outcomes were then stratified based on Area Deprivation Index tercile and compared. ResultsA total of 780 patients were included. The least, intermediate, and most deprived groups consisted of 195, 371, and 214 patients, respectively. The level of social deprivation was not a predictor of increased healthcare utilization through readmission, the ED, or the outpatient clinic. Identifying as Black or African American was an independent predictor of readmission and ED visitation. Female sex was an independent predictor of increased postoperative telephone calls. ConclusionPatients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty have similar use of hospital resources regardless of their level of social deprivation. We hope these results can be used to guide clinical decision-making, increase transparency, and manage patient outcomes following shoulder arthroplasty surgery.

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.

Rate of incidental findings on routine preoperative computed tomography for shoulder arthroplasty.

Incidental findings are commonly noted in advanced imaging studies. Few data exist regarding the rate of incidental findings on computed tomography (CT) for preoperative shoulder arthroplasty planning. This study aims to identify the incidence of these findings and the rate at which they warrant further work-up to help guide orthopedic surgeons in counseling patients. A retrospective review was performed to identify patients with available preoperative shoulder CT who subsequently underwent shoulder arthroplasty procedures at a single institution between 2015 and 2021. Data including age, sex, and smoking status were obtained. Radiology reports for CTs were reviewed for incidental findings and categorized based on location, tissue type, and/or body system. The rate of incidental findings and the rate at which further follow-up was recommended by the radiologist were determined. A total of 617 patients was identified. There were 173 incidental findings noted in 146 of these patients (23.7%). Findings ranged from pulmonary (59%), skin/soft tissue (16%), thyroid (13%), vascular (9%), spinal (2%), and abdominal (1%) areas. Of the pulmonary findings, 50% were pulmonary nodules and 47% were granulomatous disease. Overall, the final radiology report recommended further follow-up for 50% of the patients with incidental findings. Incidental findings are relatively common in preoperative CTs obtained for shoulder arthroplasty, occurring in nearly one-quarter of patients. Most of these findings are pulmonary in nature. Overall, half of the patients with incidental findings were recommended for further follow-up. These results establish population data to guide orthopedic surgeons in patient counseling. Level of evidence: III.

How low can we go? A randomized controlled trial of low-quantity initial opioid prescriptions for shoulder surgery

Orthopedic surgeons are the third most frequent prescribers of opioid medications. Given the current opioid addiction crisis, it is critical to limit opioid prescriptions to the lowest effective dose. In this study, we investigated how the initial opioid prescription after shoulder surgery affects maximum possible opioid consumption. We hypothesized that fewer pills in the initial opioid prescription would lead to less opioid consumption, a lower refill request rate, and fewer post-surgery office contacts for pain. In this single-center, prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial, 74 adults who underwent shoulder arthroplasty, rotator cuff repair, or other arthroscopic shoulder procedures were enrolled from December 2020 to July 2022. Follow-up was completed by February 2023. Participants were randomly assigned to receive postoperative prescriptions of seven 5-mg oxycodone pills (n=20), 15 pills (n=29), or 23 pills (n=25). The primary outcome was maximum possible opioid consumption within 2weeks after surgery, calculated by assuming consumption of all pills in the initial prescription, as well as any refills. Secondary outcomes were the opioid prescription refill request rates, post-surgery pain-related telephone calls or messages to the provider's office ("office contacts") within 2weeks after surgery, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons pain scores 2weeks after surgery. Baseline characteristics did not differ among groups except for mean age, which was younger in the 7-pill group (P=.047). Maximum possible opioid consumption increased with the number of pills initially prescribed, with means of 78 morphine milligram equivalents (MME) for the 7-pill group, 118 MME for the 15-pill group, and 199 MME for the 23-pill group (P<.001). None of the secondary outcome measures differed among groups. Refill request rates were 20% for the 7-pill group, 3.4% for the 15-pill group, and 12% for the 23-pill group (P=.20). The proportions of patients with at least 1 office contact were 35% in the 7-pill group, 45% in the 15-pill group, and 28% in the 23-pill group (P=.43). Mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons pain scores were 49 in the 7-pill group, 44 in the 15-pill group, and 40 in the 23-pill group (P=.20). After shoulder surgery, an initial prescription of fewer opioid pills was associated with less maximum possible opioid consumption without an increase in the percentage of patients requesting opioid refills or contacting the provider's office for pain-related concerns. An initial postoperative prescription of fewer 5-mg oxycodone pills may be equally or more effective compared with larger quantities for most patients.

Shoulder Arthroplasty After Previous Nonarthroplasty Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Outcomes and Complications.

Many patients who undergo shoulder arthroplasty (SA) have had at least 1 nonarthroplasty shoulder surgery before the surgery. There is conflicting evidence regarding the effects of previous shoulder surgery on the outcome of SA. A systematic review was conducted to compare functional outcomes and complications between SA patients with and without prior non-SA surgery on the ipsilateral shoulder. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and searched MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science comprehensively from inception to January 2023. Based on 9,279 records reviewed, 26 comparative studies were included in the meta-analysis consisting of 5,431 shoulders with prior nonarthroplasty procedures (cases) and 55,144 shoulders without previous surgery (controls). Variables such as functional scores, complications, and range of motion were compared between cases and controls using Review Manager Software. In addition, subgroup analysis was conducted based on prior surgery type (rotator cuff repair [RCR], open reduction and internal fixation [ORIF], soft tissue repairs, and not specified) and type of SA (hemiarthroplasty, anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty, and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty [RTSA]). The results were presented as odds ratios (ORs) or standardized mean differences (SMDs). Except for a higher rate of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in patients who had undergone previous arthroscopic surgery (OR, 2.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.66-4.01; p < 0.01), a higher rate of complications was only observed in patients with previous ORIF. These complications included aseptic loosening (OR, 3.43; 95% CI, 2.14-5.50; p < 0.01), shoulder dislocation (OR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.05-4.84; p = 0.04), overall complication (OR, 3.95; 95% CI, 2.38-6.55; p < 0.01), and revision (OR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.28-4.97; p = 0.01). Patients with a history of previous surgery demonstrated inferior functional outcomes in comparison with the control group, including American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (SMD, -0.39; 95% CI, -0.51 to -0.27; p < 0.01; I2 = 36%), Constant-Murley score (SMD, -0.34; 95% CI, -0.44 to -0.24; p < 0.01; I2 = 0%), abduction (SMD, -0.26; 95% CI, -0.45 to -0.08; p = 0.01; I2 = 54%), and flexion (SMD, -0.33; 95% CI, -0.46 to -0.21; p < 0.01; I2 = 40%). Subgroup analysis by previous type of surgery was not possible regarding functional outcomes. Patients who have had prior fracture surgery are at a higher risk of complications, reoperations, and revisions after SA than controls. The normal shoulder anatomy may be disrupted by prior surgery, which makes arthroplasty technically challenging, particularly when it comes to soft tissue balance. On the other hand, RCR before SA did not negatively affect clinical outcomes after RTSA and did not have a higher rate of overall complications (except PJI). Level III (Treatment Studies). See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Do Preoperative Corticosteroid Injections Increase the Risk of Infection after Shoulder Arthroscopy or Shoulder Arthroplasty? A Systematic Review.

Corticosteroid injections have demonstrated short-term benefits for shoulder pain. This symptomatic treatment method is used in various inflammatory conditions that affect the shoulder joint. Corticosteroid joint injections are not without risks and complications. Adverse effects have been documented, including damage to the articular cartilage, tendon rupture, and attenuation of the subject's immune response. The aim of this study was to examine the timing of preoperative corticosteroid injections on infectious outcomes of shoulder arthroscopies and shoulder arthroplasty. In accordance with the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), the PubMed, Cochrane, and Science Direct databases were systematically reviewed by two independent authors in January 2024. After full-text reading and checking the reference lists, 11 article were included. Patients who received a shoulder injection within three months prior to undergoing shoulder arthroplasty exhibited a markedly elevated incidence of infection. In addition, a significantly increased risk of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) at 90 days postoperatively in patients who received CSIs (corticosteroid injections) within 1 month prior to shoulder arthroplasty was found. Different authors consider CSI injections within the 2 weeks prior to shoulder arthroscopy surgery principally associated with an increased risk of postoperative infection. There is still no consensus on the correct timing of preoperative CSIs in both arthroscopic and arthroplasty procedures. The literature does not identify whether the number of preoperative injections could increase the risk of periprosthetic infection. Obesity, sex, and smoking did not have a significant effect on PJIs; alcohol abuse could be considered as a risk factor for PJIs with CSIs. Both in prosthetic surgeries and in arthroscopy procedures, modifiable and unmodifiable factors play secondary roles. The risk of postoperative infection is greater within 3 months, although it is almost comparable at one- and two-year follow-ups.