Racial and Gender Disparities in Utilization of Outpatient Total Shoulder Arthroplasties.

BACKGROUND: Utilization in outpatient total shoulder arthroplasties (TSAs) has increased significantly in recent years. It remains largely unknown whether utilization of outpatient TSA differs across gender and racial groups. This study aimed to quantify racial and gender disparities both nationally and by geographic regions. METHODS: 168,504 TSAs were identified using Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) inpatient and outpatient claims data and beneficiary enrollment data from 2020 to 2022Q4. The percentage of outpatient cases, defined as cases discharged on the same day of surgery, was evaluated by racial and gender groups and by different census divisions. A multivariate logistics regression model controlling for patient socio-demographic information (white vs. non-white race, age, gender, and dual eligibility for both Medicare and Medicaid), hierarchical condition category (HCC) score, hospital characteristics, year fixed effects, and patient residency state fixed effects was performed. RESULTS: The TSA volume per 1000 beneficiaries was 2.3 for the White population compared to 0.8, 0.6 and 0.3 for the Black, Hispanic, and Asian population, respectively. A higher percentage of outpatient TSAs were in White patients (25.6%) compared to Black patients (20.4%) (p < 0.001). The Black TSA patients were also younger, more likely to be female, more likely to be dually eligible for Medicaid, and had higher HCC risk scores. After controlling for patient socio-demographic characteristics and hospital characteristics, the odds of receiving outpatient TSAs were 30% less for Black than the White group (OR 0.70). Variations were observed across different census divisions with South Atlantic (0.67, p < 0.01), East North Central (0.56, p < 0.001), and Middle Atlantic (0.36, p < 0.01) being the four regions observed with significant racial disparities. Statistically significant gender disparities were also found nationally and across regions, with an overall odds ratio of 0.75 (p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: Statistically significant racial and gender disparities were found nationally in outpatient TSAs, with Black patients having 30% (p < 0.001) fewer odds of receiving outpatient TSAs than white patients, and female patients with 25% (p < 0.001) fewer odds than male patients. Racial and gender disparities continue to be an issue for shoulder arthroplasties after the adoption of outpatient TSAs.

A Preoperative Risk Assessment Tool for Predicting Adverse Outcomes among Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Patients.

BACKGROUND: With the increased utilization of Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (TSA) in the outpatient setting, understanding the risk factors associated with complications and hospital readmissions becomes a more significant consideration. Prior developed assessment metrics in the literature either consisted of hard-to-implement tools or relied on postoperative data to guide decision-making. This study aimed to develop a preoperative risk assessment tool to help predict the risk of hospital readmission and other postoperative adverse outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the 2019-2022(Q2) Medicare fee-for-service inpatient and outpatient claims data to identify primary anatomic or reserve TSAs and to predict postoperative adverse outcomes within 90 days post-discharge, including all-cause hospital readmissions, postoperative complications, emergency room visits, and mortality. We screened 108 candidate predictors, including demographics, social determinants of health, TSA indications, prior 12-month hospital and skilled nursing home admissions, comorbidities measured by hierarchical conditional categories, and prior orthopedic device-related complications. We used two approaches to reduce the number of predictors based on 80% of the data: 1) the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) logistic regression and 2) the machine-learning-based cross-validation approach, with the resulting predictor sets being assessed in the remaining 20% of the data. A scoring system was created based on the final regression models' coefficients, and score cutoff points were determined for low, medium, and high-risk patients. RESULTS: A total of 208,634 TSA cases were included. There was a 6.8% hospital readmission rate with 11.2% of cases having at least one postoperative adverse outcome. Fifteen covariates were identified for predicting hospital readmission with the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.70, and 16 were selected to predict any adverse postoperative outcome (AUC=0.75). The LASSO and machine learning approaches had similar performance. Advanced age and a history of fracture due to orthopedic devices are among the top predictors of hospital readmissions and other adverse outcomes. The score range for hospital readmission and an adverse postoperative outcome was 0 to 48 and 0 to 79, respectively. The cutoff points for the low, medium, and high-risk categories are 0-9, 10-14, ≥15 for hospital readmissions, and 0-11, 12-16, ≥17 for the composite outcome. CONCLUSION: Based on Medicare fee-for-service claims data, this study presents a preoperative risk stratification tool to assess hospital readmission or adverse surgical outcomes following TSA. Further investigation is warranted to validate these tools in a variety of diverse demographic settings and improve their predictive performance.

Five-Year Mortality Rates Following Elective Shoulder Arthroplasty and Shoulder Arthroplasty for Fracture in Patients Over Age 65.

Background: To effectively counsel patients prior to shoulder arthroplasty, surgeons should understand the overall life trajectory and life expectancy of patients in the context of the patient's shoulder pathology and medical comorbidities. Such an understanding can influence both operative and nonoperative decision-making and implant choices. This study evaluated 5-year mortality following shoulder arthroplasty in patients ≥65 years old and identified associated risk factors. Methods: We utilized Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Fee-for-Service inpatient and outpatient claims data to investigate the 5-year mortality rate following shoulder arthroplasty procedures performed from 2014 to 2016. The impact of patient demographics, including fracture diagnosis, year fixed effects, and state fixed effects; patient comorbidities; and hospital-level characteristics on 5-year mortality rates were assessed with use of a Cox proportional hazards regression model. A p value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 108,667 shoulder arthroplasty cases (96,104 nonfracture and 12,563 fracture) were examined. The cohort was 62.7% female and 5.8% non-White and had a mean age at surgery of 74.3 years. The mean 5-year mortality rate was 16.6% across all shoulder arthroplasty cases, 14.9% for nonfracture cases, and 29.9% for fracture cases. The trend toward higher mortality in the fracture group compared with the nonfracture group was sustained throughout the 5-year postoperative period, with a fracture diagnosis being associated with a hazard ratio of 1.63 for mortality (p < 0.001). Medical comorbidities were associated with an increased risk of mortality, with liver disease bearing the highest hazard ratio (3.07; p < 0.001), followed by chronic kidney disease (2.59; p < 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (1.92; p < 0.001), and congestive heart failure (1.90; p < 0.001). Conclusions: The mean 5-year mortality following shoulder arthroplasty was 16.6%. Patients with a fracture diagnosis had a significantly higher 5-year mortality risk (29.9%) than those with a nonfracture diagnosis (14.9%). Medical comorbidities had the greatest impact on mortality risk, with chronic liver and kidney disease being the most noteworthy. This novel longer-term data can help with patient education and risk stratification prior to undergoing shoulder replacement. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Trends in the Adoption of Outpatient Joint Arthroplasties and Patient Risk: A Retrospective Analysis of 2019 to 2021 Medicare Claims Data.

INTRODUCTION: Total joint arthroplasties (TJAs) have recently been shifting toward outpatient arthroplasty. This study aims to explore recent trends in outpatient total joint arthroplasty (TJA) procedures and examine whether patients with a higher comorbidity burden are undergoing outpatient arthroplasty. METHODS: Medicare fee-for-service claims were screened for patients who underwent total hip, knee, or shoulder arthroplasty procedures between January 2019 and December 2022. The procedure was considered to be outpatient if the patient was discharged on the same date of the procedure. The Hierarchical Condition Category Score (HCC) and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) scores were used to assess patient comorbidity burden. Patient adverse outcomes included all-cause hospital readmission, mortality, and postoperative complications. Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate if higher HCC/CCI scores were associated with adverse patient outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 69,520, 116,411, and 41,922 respective total knee, hip, and shoulder arthroplasties were identified, respectively. Despite earlier removal from the inpatient-only list, outpatient knee and hip surgical volume did not markedly increase until the pandemic started. By 2022Q4, 16%, 23%, and 36% of hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasties were discharged on the same day of surgery, respectively. Both HCC and CCI risk scores in outpatients increased over time (P < 0.001). DISCUSSION: TJA procedures are shifting toward outpatient surgery over time, largely driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. TJA outpatients' HCC and CCI risk scores increased over this same period, and additional research to determine the effects of this should be pursued. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic retrospective cohort study.

Trends and outcomes of outpatient total shoulder arthroplasty after its removal from CMS's inpatient-only list.

BACKGROUND: In January 2021, the US Medicare program approved reimbursement of outpatient total shoulder arthroplasties (TSA), including anatomic and reverse TSAs. It remains unclear whether shifting TSAs from the inpatient to outpatient setting has affected clinical outcomes. Herein, we describe the rate of outpatient TSA growth and compare inpatient and outpatient TSA complications, readmissions, and mortality. METHODS: Medicare fee-for-service claims for 2019-2022Q1 were analyzed to identify the trends in outpatient TSAs and to compare 90-day postoperative complications, all-cause hospital readmissions, and mortality between outpatients and inpatients. Outpatient cases were defined as those discharged on the same day of the surgery. To reduce the COVID-19 pandemic's impact and selection bias, we excluded 2020Q2-Q4 data and used propensity scores to match 2021-2022Q1 outpatients with inpatients from the same period (the primary analysis) and from 2019-2020Q1 (the secondary analysis), respectively. We performed both propensity score-matched and -weighted multivariate analyses to compare outcomes between the two groups. Covariates included sociodemographics, preoperative diagnosis, comorbid conditions, the Hierarchical Condition Category risk score, prior year hospital/skilled nursing home admissions, annual surgeon volume, and hospital characteristics. RESULTS: Nationally, the proportion of outpatient TSAs increased from 3% (619) in 2019Q1 to 22% (3456) in 2021Q1 and 38% (6778) in 2022Q1. A total of 55,166 cases were identified for the primary analysis (14,540 outpatients and 40,576 inpatients). Overall, glenohumeral osteoarthritis was the most common indication for surgery (70.8%), followed by rotator cuff pathology (14.6%). The unadjusted rates of complications (1.3 vs 2.4%, P < .001), readmissions (3.7 vs 6.1%, P < .001), and mortality (0.2 vs 0.4%, P = .024) were significantly lower among outpatient TSAs than inpatient TSAs. Using 1:1 nearest matching, 12,703 patient pairs were identified. Propensity score-matched multivariate analyses showed similar rates of postoperative complications, hospital readmissions, and mortality between outpatients and inpatients. Propensity score-weighted multivariate analyses resulted in similar conclusions. The secondary analysis showed a lower hospital readmission rate in outpatients (odds ratio: 0.8, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: There has been accelerated growth in outpatient TSAs since 2019. Outpatient and inpatient TSAs have similar rates of postoperative complication, hospital readmission, and mortality.

Peripheral neuropathies after shoulder arthroscopy: a systematic review.

Purpose: Peripheral neuropathies after shoulder arthroscopy are rare, though likely under-reported. Many resolve spontaneously, but some patients are left with permanent neurological deficits. The purpose of this study was to review the literature to better characterize this patient population, diagnostic tests performed, the timing and type of surgical intervention, and report clinical outcomes. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed. Articles in English were identified from PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL in August 2021. Article titles and abstracts were screened for relevance by two authors and discordant abstracts were resolved by the senior author. Data were subsequently extracted from the included articles. Results: Seventeen articles were identified yielding a total of 91 patients. The average age was 53 ± 12 years, and most patients were male (72%). Rotator cuff repair (62%) was the most common procedure performed. A peripheral neuropathy was identified an average of 80 ± 81 days from the index procedure (range, 0-240 days). Most commonly, peripheral nerve injury presented as a mononeuropathy, with the median nerve (39%) and ulnar nerve (17%) affected predominantly. Seventeen percent of patients underwent a secondary surgery at an average of 232 ± 157 days after the index procedure. At the final follow-up, 55% of neuropathies had resolved, 14% partially improved, and 22% showed no clinical improvement. The most proposed etiologies were postoperative immobilization (29%) and intraoperative positioning (20%), but several possible etiologies have been suggested. Conclusions: Peripheral neuropathies after arthroscopic shoulder procedures are rare. While most spontaneously resolve, up to 1 in 5 patients may have persistent neuropathic symptoms. A high index of suspicion should be maintained throughout the postoperative period. When neurologic deficits are identified, patients should undergo a thorough diagnostic workup and be referred to a subspecialist in a timely manner.

Acromioclavicular Joint Anatomy and Biomechanics: The Significance of Posterior Rotational and Translational Stability.

The shoulder girdle extends from the sternoclavicular joint to the scapular stabilizing muscles posteriorly. It consists of 3 joints and 2 mobile regions. The shoulder girdle is statically stabilized by the acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular capsuloligamentous structures and dynamically stabilized by the trapezius, deltoid, and deltotrapezial fascia. During humerothoracic elevation, the clavicle elevates, protracts, and rotates posteriorly through the sternoclavicular joint while the scapula tilts posteriorly and rotates upward. The purpose of this article is to review the anatomy and biomechanics of the acromioclavicular joint and the shoulder girdle.

Surgeon idiosyncrasy is a key driver of cost in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: a time-driven activity-based costing analysis.

BACKGROUND: Delivering high-value orthopedic care requires optimizing value, defined as health outcomes achieved per dollar spent. Published literature is stippled with inaccurate proxies for cost, including negotiated reimbursement rates, fees paid, or listed prices. Time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) offers a more robust and accurate approach to calculating cost, including shoulder care. In the present study, we sought to determine the drivers of total cost in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (aRCR) using TDABC. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing aRCR at multiple sites associated with a large urban health care system between January 2019 and September 2021 were identified. Total cost was determined using TDABC methodology. The episode of care was defined by 3 phases: preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care. Patient, procedure, rotator cuff tear morphology, and surgeon characteristics were collected. Bivariate analysis was performed across all characteristics between high-cost (top decile) and all other aRCRs. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify the key cost drivers. RESULTS: In total, 625 aRCRs performed by 24 orthopedic surgeons and 572 aRCRs performed by 13 orthopedic surgeons were included in the bivariate and multivariable linear regression analyses, respectively. By TDABC analysis, total aRCR cost varied 6-fold (5.9×) from least to most costly. Intraoperative costs accounted for 91% of average total cost, followed by preoperative costs and postoperative costs (6% and 3%, respectively). Biologic adjuncts (regression coefficient [RC] 0.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.49-0.58, P < .001) and surgeon idiosyncrasy (RC of highest-cost surgeon 0.50, 95% CI 0.26-0.73, P < .001) were the major cost drivers in aRCR. Patient age, comorbidities, number of rotator cuff tendons torn, and revision surgery were not significantly associated with total cost. The amount of tendon retraction (RC 0.0012, 95% CI 0.000020-0.0024, P = .046), average Goutallier grade (RC 0.029, 95% CI 0.0086-0.049, P = .005), and the number of anchors used (RC 0.039, 95% CI 0.032-0.046, P < .001) were also significantly associated with cost, but with far smaller effect sizes. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Episode of care costs vary nearly 6-fold in aRCR and are almost exclusively dictated by the intraoperative phase. Tear morphology and repair technique contribute to cost, although the largest cost drivers of aRCR are the use of biologic adjuncts and surgeon idiosyncrasy, defined as something a surgeon does or does not do that impacts total cost and is not controlled for in the current analysis. Future work should seek to better delineate what these surgeon idiosyncrasies may represent.

Higher Surgeon Volume is Associated With a Lower Rate of Subsequent Revision Procedures After Total Shoulder Arthroplasty: A National Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Studies assessing the relationship between surgeon volume and outcomes have shown mixed results, depending on the specific procedure analyzed. This volume relationship has not been well studied in patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), but it should be, because this procedure is common, expensive, and potentially morbid. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We performed this study to assess the association between increasing surgeon volume and decreasing rate of revision at 2 years for (1) anatomic TSA (aTSA) and (2) reverse TSA (rTSA) in the United States. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we used Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) fee-for-service inpatient and outpatient data from 2015 to 2021 to study the association between annual surgeon aTSA and rTSA volume and 2-year revision shoulder procedures after the initial surgery. The CMS database was chosen for this study because it is a national sample and can be used to follow patients over time. We included patients with Diagnosis-related Group code 483 and Current Procedural Terminology code 23472 for TSA (these codes include both aTSA and rTSA). We used International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, procedural codes. Patients who underwent shoulder arthroplasty for fracture (10% [17,524 of 173,242]) were excluded. We studied the variables associated with the subsequent procedure rate through a generalized linear model, controlling for confounders such as patient age, comorbidity risk score, surgeon and hospital volume, surgeon graduation year, hospital size and teaching status, assuming a binomial distribution with the dependent variable being whether an episode had at least one subsequent procedure within 2 years. The regression was fitted with standard errors clustered at the hospital level, combining all TSAs and within the aTSA and rTSA groups, respectively. Hospital and surgeon yearly volumes were calculated by including all TSAs, primary procedure and subsequent, during the study period. Other hospital-level and surgeon-level characteristics were obtained through public files from the CMS. The CMS Hierarchical Condition Category risk score was controlled because it is a measure reflecting the expected future health costs for each patient based on the patient's demographics and chronic illnesses. We then converted regression coefficients to the percentage change in the odds of having a subsequent procedure. RESULTS: After controlling for confounding variables including patient age, comorbidity risk score, surgeon and hospital volume, surgeon graduation year, and hospital size and teaching status, we found that an annual surgeon volume of ≥ 10 aTSAs was associated with a 27% decreased odds of revision within 2 years (95% confidence interval 13% to 39%; p < 0.001), while surgeon volume of ≥ 29 aTSAs was associated with a 33% decreased odds of revision within 2 years (95% CI 18% to 45%; p < 0.001) compared with a volume of fewer than four aTSAs per year. Annual surgeon volume of ≥ 29 rTSAs was associated with a 26% decreased odds of revision within 2 years (95% CI 9% to 39%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Surgeons should consider modalities such as virtual planning software, templating, or enhanced surgeon training to aid lower-volume surgeons who perform aTSA and rTSA. More research is needed to assess the value of these modalities and their relationship with the rates of subsequent revision. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

Return to Play After Shoulder Surgery in Professional Baseball Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: The current literature lacks an updated review examining return to play (RTP) and return to prior performance (RTPP) after shoulder surgery in professional baseball players. Purpose: To summarize the RTP rate, RTPP rate, and baseball-specific performance metrics among professional baseball players who underwent shoulder surgery. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A literature search was performed utilizing the PubMed, MEDLINE, and CINAHL databases and according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Inclusion criteria were English-language studies reporting on postoperative RTP and/or RTPP in professional baseball players who underwent shoulder surgery between 1976 and 2016. RTP rates, RTPP rates, and baseball-specific performance metrics were extracted from qualifying studies. A total of 2034 articles were identified after the initial search. Meta-analysis was performed where applicable, yielding weighted averages of RTP and RTPP rates and comparisons between pitchers and nonpitchers for each type of surgery. Baseball-specific performance metrics were reported as a narrative summary. Results: Overall, 26 studies featuring 1228 professional baseball players were included. Patient-level outcome data were available for 529 players. Surgical interventions included rotator cuff debridement (n = 197), rotator cuff repair (RCR; n = 43), superior labrum from anterior to posterior repair (n = 124), labral repair (n = 103), latissimus dorsi/teres major (LD/TM) repair (n = 21), biceps tenodesis (n = 17), coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction (n = 15), anterior capsular repair (n = 5), and scapulothoracic bursectomy (n = 4). Rotator cuff debridement was the most common surgical procedure, while scapulothoracic bursectomy was the least common (37.2% and 0.8% of interventions, respectively). Meta-analysis revealed that the RTP rate was highest for LD/TM repair (84.5%) and lowest for RCR (53.5%), while the RTPP rate was highest for LD/TM repair (100.0%) and lowest for RCR (27.9%). RTP and RTPP rates were generally higher for position players than for pitchers. Nonvolume performance metrics were unaffected by shoulder surgery, while volume statistics decreased or remained similar. Conclusion: RTP and RTPP rates among professional baseball players were modest after most types of shoulder surgery. Among surgical procedures commonly performed on professional baseball players, RTP and RTPP rates were highest for LD/TM repair and lowest for RCR.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on racial disparities in patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty in the United States.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess racial disparities in total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) in the United States and to determine whether these disparities were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 100% sample was used to examine primary TSA volume from April to December from 2019 to 2020. Utilization was assessed for White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian populations to determine if COVID-19 affected these groups differently. A regression model adjusted for age, sex, CMS-hierarchical condition categories (HCC) score, dual enrollment (proxy for socioeconomic status), time-fixed effects, and core-based statistical area fixed effects was used to study difference across groups. Results: In 2019, the TSA volume per 1000 beneficiaries was 1.51 for White and 0.57 for non-White, with a 2.6-fold difference. In 2020, the rate of TSA in White patients (1.30/1000) was 2.9 times higher than non-White (0.45/1000) during the COVID-19 pandemic (P < .01). There was an overall 14% decrease in TSA volume per 1000 Medicare beneficiaries in 2020; non-White patients had a larger percentage decrease in TSA volume than White (21% vs. 14%, estimated difference; 8.7%, P = .02). Black patients experienced the most pronounced disparity with estimated difference of 10.1%, P = .05, compared with White patients. Similar disparities were observed when categorizing procedures into anatomic and reverse TSA, but not proximal humerus fracture. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, overall TSA utilization decreased by 14% with White patients experiencing a decrease of 14%, and non-White patients experiencing a decrease of 21%. This trend was observed for elective TSA, while disparities were less apparent for proximal humerus fracture.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on shoulder arthroplasty: surgical trends and postoperative care pathway analysis.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 triggered disruption in the conventional care pathways for many orthopedic procedures. The current study aims to quantify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on shoulder arthroplasty hospital surgical volume, trends in surgical case distribution, length of hospitalization, posthospital disposition, and 30-day readmission rates. METHODS: This study queried all Medicare (100% sample) fee-for-service beneficiaries who underwent a shoulder arthroplasty procedure (Diagnosis-Related Group code 483, Current Procedural Terminology code 23472) from January 1, 2019, to December 18, 2020. Fracture cases were separated from nonfracture cases, which were further subdivided into anatomic or reverse arthroplasty. Volume per 1000 Medicare beneficiaries was calculated from April to December 2020 and compared to the same months in 2019. Length of stay (LOS), discharged-home rate, and 30-day readmission for the same period were obtained. The yearly difference adjusted for age, sex, race (white vs. nonwhite), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Hierarchical Condition Category risk score, month fixed effects, and Core-Based Statistical Area fixed effects, with standard errors clustered at the provider level, was calculated using a multivariate analysis (P < .05). RESULTS: A total of 49,412 and 41,554 total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) cases were observed April through December for 2019 and 2020, respectively. There was an overall decrease in shoulder arthroplasty volume per 1000 Medicare beneficiaries by 14% (19% reduction in anatomic TSA, 13% reduction in reverse shoulder arthroplasty, and 3% reduction in fracture cases). LOS for all shoulder arthroplasty cases decreased by 16% (-0.27 days, P < .001) when adjusted for confounders. There was a 5% increase in the discharged-home rate (88.0% to 92.7%, P < .001), which was most prominent in fracture cases, with a 20% increase in discharged-home cases (65.0% to 73.4%, P < .001). There was no significant change in 30-day hospital readmission rates overall (P = .20) or when broken down by individual procedures. CONCLUSIONS: There was an overall decrease in shoulder arthroplasty volume per 1000 Medicare beneficiaries by 14% during the COVID-19 pandemic. A decrease in LOS and increase in the discharged-home rates was also observed with no significant change in 30-day hospital readmission, indicating that a shift toward an outpatient surgical model can be performed safely and efficiently and has the potential to provide value.

Change in humeral anchor position significantly affects isometry in ulnar collateral ligament repair: a 3-dimensional computer modeling study.

BACKGROUND: Medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) repair utilization is increasing in recent years, bolstered by shorter rehabilitation and satisfactory clinical outcomes. Although previous literature has illustrated the importance of tunnel position on restoring graft isometry in reconstruction, there remains a paucity of literature guiding anchor placement in UCL repair. The purpose of this study is to design a 3-dimensional (3D) elbow model to understand the effect of anchor location on UCL repair isometry. METHODS: A 3D computer model of an elbow joint was created using computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging MRI scans from a single patient. The humeral and ulnar attachments of the UCL were plotted using 3 methodologies: (1) geometric cloud mapping and (2) quantitative measurements from the anatomic studies by Camp et al and (3) Frangiamore et al. A 3.5-mm-diameter clockface was placed on each attachment site, which allowed for simulation of 12 distinct 1.75-mm deviations in anchor position. The 3 models were ranged through 0°-120° at 10° increments, and the 3D distances were measured between the ligament centroids. The humeral and ulnar anchors were sequentially repositioned around the clockfaces, and construct lengths were again measured to evaluate changes in isometry. A paired Student t test was performed to determine if there was a significant difference in isometry between the humeral and ulnar anchor deviations. RESULTS: Using method 1, the UCL repair length at 90° of elbow flexion was 26.8 mm. This construct underwent 13.6 mm of total excursion for a 46.4% change in length throughout its arc of motion. Method 2 produced a 19.3-mm construct that underwent 0.8 mm of excursion for a 3.9% length change throughout the arc. Method 3 produced a 24.5-mm construct that underwent 2.3 mm of excursion for a 9.4% length change. Identifying ligament footprints using the quantitative anatomic measurements from Camp et al and Frangiamore et al improved construct isometry through 120° of flexion (length changes of 3.9% and 9.4%, respectively) when compared to using the geometric cloud technique alone (46.4% length change). Humeral anchor deviations produced a significant increase in repair construct excursion compared with ulnar anchor deviations (P < .001). CONCLUSION: When performing UCL repair, small deviations in humeral anchor position may significantly influence ligament repair isometry. Using quantitative anatomic data may help identify anchor positions with improved repair isometry. Particularly when addressing detachments of the humeral footprint, surgeons should be critical of the humeral anchor position in order to restore native anatomy and optimal biomechanics.

Telehealth Visits After Shoulder Surgery: Higher Patient Satisfaction and Lower Costs.

INTRODUCTION: Studies comparing the cost of in-person and virtual care are lacking. The goal of this study was threefold (1) to compare the cost of telemedicine visits with in-person clinic visits after common shoulder surgeries, (2) to measure the safety, and (3) to evaluate patient experience with telemedicine visits. METHODS: The In-Person Visit cohort (N = 25) and the telemedicine cohort (Virtual Visit cohort, N = 24) were selected from patients undergoing routine follow-up of common shoulder procedures. Time-driven activity-based costing was used to determine costs associated with each episode of care. Patient complications, satisfaction, convenience, and technical difficulties associated with telehealth were recorded. RESULTS: The average Virtual Visit was 54.1% less costly and 87.8% shorter than the In-Person Visit ($49 versus $107 per patient, 8.6 versus 70.1 minutes per patient, P < 0.01, respectively). One complication was missed in the Virtual Visit cohort, later captured by an in-person visit. All patients in the Virtual Visit cohort reported that the virtual visit was safe and convenient and showed high levels of satisfaction. DISCUSSION: Virtual visits for postoperative care of patients undergoing shoulder surgery are associated with decreased costs and high ratings of convenience and satisfaction. Postoperative complications may be more challenging to diagnose virtually.

What Is the Clinical Benefit of Common Orthopaedic Procedures as Assessed by the PROMIS Versus Other Validated Outcomes Tools?

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), including the Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS), are increasingly used to measure healthcare value. The minimum clinically important difference (MCID) is a metric that helps clinicians determine whether a statistically detectable improvement in a PROM after surgical care is likely to be large enough to be important to a patient or to justify an intervention that carries risk and cost. There are two major categories of MCID calculation methods, anchor-based and distribution-based. This variability, coupled with heterogeneous surgical cohorts used for existing MCID values, limits their application to clinical care. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: In our study, we sought (1) to determine MCID thresholds and attainment percentages for PROMIS after common orthopaedic procedures using distribution-based methods, (2) to use anchor-based MCID values from published studies as a comparison, and (3) to compare MCID attainment percentages using PROMIS scores to other validated outcomes tools such as the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) and Knee Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). METHODS: This was a retrospective study at two academic medical centers and three community hospitals. The inclusion criteria for this study were patients who were age 18 years or older and who underwent elective THA for osteoarthritis, TKA for osteoarthritis, one-level posterior lumbar fusion for lumbar spinal stenosis or spondylolisthesis, anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for glenohumeral arthritis or rotator cuff arthropathy, arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy, or arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. This yielded 14,003 patients. Patients undergoing revision operations or surgery for nondegenerative pathologies and patients without preoperative PROMs assessments were excluded, leaving 9925 patients who completed preoperative PROMIS assessments and 9478 who completed other preoperative validated outcomes tools (HOOS, KOOS, numerical rating scale for leg pain, numerical rating scale for back pain, and QuickDASH). Approximately 66% (6529 of 9925) of patients had postoperative PROMIS scores (Physical Function, Mental Health, Pain Intensity, Pain Interference, and Upper Extremity) and were included for analysis. PROMIS scores are population normalized with a mean score of 50 ± 10, with most scores falling between 30 to 70. Approximately 74% (7007 of 9478) of patients had postoperative historical assessment scores and were included for analysis. The proportion who reached the MCID was calculated for each procedure cohort at 6 months of follow-up using distribution-based MCID methods, which included a fraction of the SD (1/2 or 1/3 SD) and minimum detectable change (MDC) using statistical significance (such as the MDC 90 from p < 0.1). Previously published anchor-based MCID thresholds from similar procedure cohorts and analogous PROMs were used to calculate the proportion reaching MCID. RESULTS: Within a given distribution-based method, MCID thresholds for PROMIS assessments were similar across multiple procedures. The MCID threshold ranged between 3.4 and 4.5 points across all procedures using the 1/2 SD method. Except for meniscectomy (3.5 points), the anchor-based PROMIS MCID thresholds (range 4.5 to 8.1 points) were higher than the SD distribution-based MCID values (2.3 to 4.5 points). The difference in MCID thresholds based on the calculation method led to a similar trend in MCID attainment. Using THA as an example, MCID attainment using PROMIS was achieved by 76% of patients using an anchor-based threshold of 7.9 points. However, 82% of THA patients attained MCID using the MDC 95 method (6.1 points), and 88% reached MCID using the 1/2 SD method (3.9 points). Using the HOOS metric (scaled from 0 to 100), 86% of THA patients reached the anchor-based MCID threshold (17.5 points). However, 91% of THA patients attained the MCID using the MDC 90 method (12.5 points), and 93% reached MCID using the 1/2 SD method (8.4 points). In general, the proportion of patients reaching MCID was lower for PROMIS than for other validated outcomes tools; for example, with the 1/2 SD method, 72% of patients who underwent arthroscopic partial meniscectomy reached the MCID on PROMIS Physical Function compared with 86% on KOOS. CONCLUSION: MCID calculations can provide clinical correlation for PROM scores interpretation. The PROMIS form is increasingly used because of its generalizability across diagnoses. However, we found lower proportions of MCID attainment using PROMIS scores compared with historical PROMs. By using historical proportions of attainment on common orthopaedic procedures and a spectrum of MCID calculation techniques, the PROMIS MCID benchmarks are realizable for common orthopaedic procedures. For clinical practices that routinely collect PROMIS scores in the clinical setting, these results can be used by individual surgeons to evaluate personal practice trends and by healthcare systems to quantify whether clinical care initiatives result in meaningful differences. Furthermore, these MCID thresholds can be used by researchers conducting retrospective outcomes research with PROMIS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

Biological augmentation of meniscal repair: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Orthopedic literature remains divided on the utility of biologic augmentation to optimize outcomes after isolated meniscal repair. The aim of this systematic review is to analyze the clinical outcomes and re-operation rates of biologically augmented meniscal repairs. METHODS: PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases were queried in October 2020 for published literature on isolated meniscal repair with biological augmentation. Studies were assessed for quality and risk of bias by two appraisal tools. Patient demographics, meniscal tear characteristics, surgical procedure, augmentation type, post-operative rehabilitation, patient reported outcome measures, and length of follow-up were recorded, reviewed, and analyzed by two independent reviewers. RESULTS: Of 3794 articles, 18 met inclusion criteria and yielded 537 patients who underwent biologic augmentation of meniscal repair. The biologically augmented repair rates were 5.8-27.0% with PRP augmentation, 0.0-28.5% with fibrin clot augmentation, 0.0-12.9% with marrow stimulation, and 0.0% with stem cell augmentation. One of seven studies showed lower revision rates with augmented meniscal repair compared to standard repair techniques, whereas five of seven found no benefit. Three of ten studies found significant functional improvement of biologically augmented repair versus standard repair techniques and six of ten studies found no difference. There was significant heterogeneity in methods for biologic preparation, delivery, and post-operative rehabilitation protocols. CONCLUSION: Patients reported significant improvements in functional outcomes scores after repair with biological augmentation, though the benefit over standard repair controls is questionable. Revision rates after biologically augmented meniscal repair also appear similar to standard repair techniques. Clinicians should bear this in mind when considering biologic augmentation in the setting of meniscal repair. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Surgical time and outcomes of stemmed versus stemless total shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Stemless total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) was approved for use in the United States in 2015, and there remains a paucity of data on its performance in this market. Decreased operative time without compromise of clinical outcomes is a theoretical advantage of stemless TSA, but no studies have evaluated this in a comparative study to date. Herein, the operative times and clinical outcomes of stemless vs. conventional stemmed TSA are investigated. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study, evaluating all consecutive TSAs performed by a single surgeon between 2015 and 2018. Data were collected from 59 patients who underwent TSA with conventional, stemmed humeral implants and 115 patients in whom a stemless humeral implant was used. Operative times and demographic data were collected retrospectively from the anesthesia record, and prospectively collected patient-reported outcome measures were collected from the Surgical Outcomes System database. For patient-reported outcome measure, visual analog scale, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, and Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation scores were recorded serially until a minimum 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: The average operative time was 24 minutes less in the stemless cohort compared with the stemmed cohort (104 minutes vs. 128 minutes, P < .001). Cost analysis showed a decreased personnel cost of 15.9% that correlates to a 3.1% overall reduction in operating room-associated cost. Patient-reported outcome scores significantly improved postoperatively in both cohorts across all time points. There was no difference found in visual analog scale, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, and Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation scores between the cohorts at the 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Stemless TSA significantly reduces operative time with equivalent functional outcomes at a minimum 2-year follow-up.

Return to Play and Player Performance After Meniscal Tear Among Elite-Level European Soccer Players: A Matched Cohort Analysis of Injuries From 2006 to 2016.

BACKGROUND: Meniscal injuries are extremely common in soccer athletes, and little is known about postrecovery performance. PURPOSE: To (1) identify characteristics associated with return to play (RTP) to the same league level and (2) evaluate long-term effects that injury and management approach may have on player performance. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Using publicly available records, we identified athletes who sustained meniscal tears across the 5 major European soccer leagues (English Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1, and Serie A) between 2006 and 2016. Injured athletes were matched to controls 1:2 by demographics and performance. Investigations included rate of RTP to the same league level, reinjury, player characteristics associated with RTP within 2 seasons, long-term availability, field time, and performance metrics standardized to 90 minutes of play during the next 4 seasons. RESULTS: A total of 250 players sustaining meniscal tears were included, of which 106 (42%) received surgical management. Median absence was 57.5 days (interquartile range [IQR], 35-92) or 7 games (IQR, 4-12). Rate of RTP was 70%, and the reinjury rate 5% if a player could RTP. Age greater than 30 years was a negative predictor for RTP (odds ratio [OR], 0.62; P = .002), whereas higher preinjury goals per game (OR, 2.80; P = .04) and surgical management (OR, 1.38; P = .002) were positive predictors for RTP. Surgical management was associated with higher long-term availability (P < .01). As compared with the control, there were no significant differences in field time or performance metrics after RTP, either overall or by player position. As compared with nonoperative management, defenders undergoing surgery demonstrated decreased field time. Attackers and midfielders demonstrated similar field time and performance regardless of management. CONCLUSION: RTP of elite soccer athletes sustaining meniscal tear is contingent on age, preinjury performance, and management approach. Those who RTP to the same league level can be expected to demonstrate equivalent field time, performance, and long-term availability as noninjured athletes.

Prevalence, management, and outcomes of nerve injury after shoulder arthroplasty: a case-control study and review of the literature.

Background: Neurologic injury is a rare and potentially devastating complication of shoulder arthroplasty. Patients typically present with a mixed plexopathy or mononeuropathy, most commonly affecting the axillary and radial nerves. Given the paucity of studies available on the topic, our goal was to elucidate the prevalence of nerve injury after shoulder arthroplasty and to describe the treatment course and outcomes of neurologic injuries. Methods: This is a retrospective case-control study performed at a single, urban, academic institution. Consecutive patients who underwent anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) or reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) by a single surgeon from 2014 to 2020 were reviewed, and patients with a documented nerve injury were identified. A control group of patients without nerve injury were selected in a 2:1 ratio controlling for age and procedure type (TSA vs. RSA; primary vs. revision). Data collected included demographics, comorbidities as per the Charlson Comorbidity Index, radiographic evaluations, surgical and implant details, patient-reported outcome measures, and perioperative complications. Results: Of 923 patients, 33 (3.6%) sustained an iatrogenic nerve injury: 10 (2.1%) after TSA, 23 (5.0%) after RSA, and 3 (7.8%) after revision arthroplasty. Axillary mononeuropathy was most common (42%), followed by brachial plexopathies (18%). There was no significant difference in age, sex, race, body mass index, and preoperative diagnoses between groups. Patients with nerve injury had fewer comorbidities (Charlson Comorbidity Index <3, 33 vs. 65%, P<.001). Patients with nerve injury had higher rates of cervical spine pathology (15 vs. 6%; P = .15) and increased postoperative lateralization (8.9 mm [7.2] vs. 5.5 mm [7.3]; P<.06). The majority (91%) were managed with observation alone. Three (9%) underwent an additional procedure: carpal tunnel release (1, 3%), ulnar nerve decompression (1, 3%), and ulnar nerve transposition (1, 3%) for peripheral compressive neuropathies. At the final follow-up, 19 (57%) nerves fully recovered, and 14 (43%) showed mild residual sensorimotor dysfunction. The mean time to first sign of recovery and ultimate recovery were 11 (7.2) and 36 (23.5) weeks, respectively. At the final follow-up, patients with nerve injury performed worse on patient-reported outcomes, including visual analog score pain (2.2 vs. 1.0, P<.001), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (67.8 vs. 84.8, P<.001), and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores (62 vs. 77, P = .009). Discussion: Nerve injury after shoulder arthroplasty is rare, occurring in 3.6% of our patient population. Axillary mononeuropathy and brachial plexopathies are the most common. Most patients can be managed expectantly with observation and will recover at least partial nerve function, although clinical outcomes remain inferior to those without nerve complication.