Obesity is associated with muscle atrophy in rotator cuff tear.

Objective: The primary goal of this study is to evaluate the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and muscle atrophy in individuals with rotator cuff tears. Methods: This study consists of patients with rotator cuff tears identified by MRI from two independent cohorts, the Rotator Cuff Outcomes Workgroup (ROW) and the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON). Presence of atrophy (yes/no) and severity of atrophy (as an ordinal variable) were assessed on MRI by expert physicians. We used multivariable regression models to evaluate the relationship between BMI and muscle atrophy while adjusting for age and sex in each study, conducted sensitivity analyses for full-thickness tear and combined results using inverse variance-weighted meta-analysis. Results: A total of 539 patients (MOON=395, ROW=144) from the combined cohorts had MRI data available on muscle atrophy. Among these patients, 246 (46%) had atrophy of at least one of the muscles of the rotator cuff and 282 (52%) had full-thickness tears. In meta-analysis across both cohorts, each 5 kg/m2 increase in BMI was associated with a 21% (aOR=1.21, 95% CI=1.02, 1.43) increased odds of having muscle atrophy among individuals with any tear size, and 36% (aOR=1.36, 95% CI=1.01-1.81) increased odds among individuals with full-thickness tear. Conclusions: Higher BMI was associated with significantly higher odds of muscle atrophy in patiens with rotator cuff tears. More study is needed to unders1tand why and how this relationship exists, as well as whether interventions to reduce BMI may help improve outcomes for these patients. Level of Evidence: III.

The Predictors of Surgery for Symptomatic, Atraumatic Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears Change Over Time: Ten-Year Outcomes of the MOON Shoulder Prospective Cohort.

BACKGROUND: A prospective cohort study was conducted to assess the predictors of failure of nonoperative treatment, defined as the patient undergoing surgery for symptomatic, atraumatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears. We present the 10-year follow-up data of this population to determine if predictors for surgery change over time, and secondarily we report the outcomes of the cohort. METHODS: At the time of enrollment, demographic, symptom, rotator cuff anatomy, and patient-reported outcome data were collected in patients with symptomatic, atraumatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Patients underwent a standard physical therapy protocol for 6 to 12 weeks. Patient data were then collected at 1, 2, 5, 7, and 10 years. Failure of nonoperative treatment was defined as the patient electing to undergo surgery. RESULTS: Of the 452 patients in the original cohort, 20 patients (5%) withdrew from the study, 37 (9%) died before 10 years, and 40 (9%) were otherwise lost to follow-up. A total of 115 patients (27.0%) underwent a surgical procedure at some point during the 10-year follow-up period. Of these patients, 56.5% underwent surgery within 6 months of enrollment and 43.5%, between 6 months and 10 years. Low patient expectations regarding the efficacy of physical therapy were found to be a predictor of early surgery. Workers' Compensation status and activity level were more important predictors of later surgery. Patient-reported outcome measures all improved following physical therapy. For patients who did not undergo a surgical procedure, patient-reported outcome measures did not decline over the 10-year follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Low patient expectations regarding the efficacy of physical therapy were found to be a predictor of early surgery, whereas Workers' Compensation status and activity level were predictors of later surgery. Physical therapy was successful in >70% of patients with symptomatic, atraumatic full-thickness rotator cuff tears at 10 years. Outcome measures improved with physical therapy and did not decline over the 10-year follow-up period. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Functional outcomes and survivorship following aseptic revision shoulder arthroplasty.

Background: Revision shoulder arthroplasty (SA) is a surgical procedure performed to address complications or failures of primary total SA. However, limited evidence exists regarding the functional outcomes and longevity of implants following revision. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent revision SA for failed primary arthroplasty at a single institution between 2009 and 2021 with a minimum of 2-years follow-up. Data was collected from medical records, including type of arthroplasty (anatomic total SA [TSA], reverse total SA [RSA], or hemi-SA [HSA]), demographics and patient-specific information, functional measurements, and implant survival. Patient reported outcomes were obtained during follow-up by phone. Results: The mean age at index and revision surgeries was 60.5 ± 12.1 years and 64.8 ± 11.1 years, respectively, and average total follow-up was 5.5 ± 3.5 years. The average time to revision was 4.5 ± 5.2 years (range 0.01-24.5 years). Among 99 revision shoulder arthroplasty procedures, 28 were TSA/HA to TSA/HA, 51 were TSA/HA to RSA, 18 were RSA to RSA, and 2 were RSA to HA. Revision surgery significantly improved functional outcomes in forward elevation (preoperative: 79.8 ± 41.0 vs postoperative: 118.5 ± 38.3; p < 0.001), external rotation (preoperative: 27.8 ± 19.3 vs postoperative: 34.3 ± 16.2; p = 0.028), internal rotation (preoperative: glute vs postoperative: S1; p = 0.002), and forward elevation strength (preoperative: 4+/5 vs postoperative: 5/5; p = 0.002). Postoperative patient reported outcomes included: VAS pain (2.2 ± 2.9), SANE (72.6 ± 21.5), ASES (73.3 ± 20.4), and SST (7.7 ± 2.8) scores. The overall 2-, 5-, and 10-year post-revision implant survival rate was 85.48%, 83.06%, and 79.84%, respectively. Patients who had an initial RSA and were revised to RSA were at higher risk of implant failure and subsequent re-revision (RSA to RSA: 1.5 ± 2.5 years vs. TSA/HA to RSA: 2.5 ± 2.1 years vs. TSA/HA to TSA/HA: 4.0 ± 3.5 years; p = 0.0046). Conclusion: Revision shoulder arthroplasty improved patient outcomes post-index arthroplasty failure. Revisions were more likely to be successful when revising from TSA/HA to RSA. Level of evidence: Level III - retrospective comparative study.

Solid organ transplant patients do well after shoulder arthroplasty: a propensity matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: SOT recipients are commonly prescribed immunosuppressive therapies which may predispose patients to higher infection and complication rates following total shoulder arthroplasty. This article aims to analyze the effects SOT and subsequent immunosuppressive regimens have on the functional and patient reported outcomes of total shoulder arthroplasties. METHODS: A single institution, multi-surgeon retrospective case-control study investigating the functional and patient reported outcomes of shoulder arthroplasty after SOT was conducted between the years of 2010-2020. To be included in the study, patients must have undergone SOT prior to primary total shoulder arthroplasty. A 4:1 match-paired control group lacking SOT prior to arthroplasty was then constructed. Thirty-four SOT patients (18 males and 16 females) and 136 control patients (77 male and 59 female) were included in the study. Patients were analyzed who underwent SOT prior to shoulder arthroplasty, with outcomes compared to controls who only underwent arthroplasty. The primary outcomes include range of motion (ROM) and strength in forward elevation, external rotation, and internal rotation, and patient reported outcomes. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in improvement for range of motion and strength between the two cohorts, but within each cohort, improvement was statistically significant. In the SOT patients, forward elevation improved by 56o ± 52o, external rotation increased 13o ± 20o, and internal rotation increased by two vertebral levels. In the non-SOT patients, forward elevation improved 45o ± 51o, external rotation increased 16o ± 25o, and internal rotation increased by three vertebral levels. SOT patients had equivocal VAS pain and Simple Shoulder Test scores but lower ASES (59 ± 13 vs 79 ± 2; p=0.002) and SANE (61 ± 30 vs 84 ± 17; p<.001) scores than non-SOT patients. Complication rates were significantly higher in the SOT group (15% vs 6%; p=0.05), but incidence of surgical revisions was not significantly different (SOT = 3%; non-SOT = 5%; p=0.59). CONCLUSION: Shoulder arthroplasty is a safe, effective surgical intervention for improving shoulder function in patients with a history of SOT. Despite being on chronic immunosuppressive regimens, our solid organ transplants had comparable clinical outcomes and revision rates, but higher complication rates.

Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Outcomes Were Not Negatively Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective To investigate whether patients undergoing anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (ATSA) between January and March 2020 experienced different postoperative outcomes than patients in 2019. We hypothesized that patients in 2020 would have less access to physical therapy (PT) and experience different postoperative outcomes. Methods Records from patients who received ATSA between January 1st, 2019, and March 17th, 2019, and January 1st, 2020, to March 17th, 2020, were analyzed. Patient data, including demographic information, range of motion (ROM), strength, and PT was collected and compared between the two groups. The 2020 patients were contacted by phone during October 2022 and patient-reported metrics were gathered. Results The present study identified 24 patients in 2019 and 27 patients in 2020 who underwent ATSA during the specified time frame and had a minimum 1-year follow-up. Patients in 2019 experienced improvements in forward elevation (FE) ROM (125.4° to 146.7°; p = 0.008), external rotation (ER; 33.0° to 47.7°; p < 0.001), and internal rotation (IR; S1 to L4; p = 0.019). Patients in 2020 also experienced significant improvements in FE (120.2° to 141.1°; p = 0.009), ER (32.9° to 42.0°; p = 0.037), and IR (S1 to L3; p = 0.002). Patients in 2020 terminated PT earlier (2019: 125.8 days; 2020: 91.1 days; p = 0.046) and completed fewer sessions (2019: 21.4 sessions; 2020: 13.1 sessions; p = 0.003). At the final follow-up, patients in 2020 reported an average Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score of 1.67 ± 1.1. Conclusion Despite decreased PT, patients who underwent ATSA in 2020 had significant improvements in ROM and strength and were comparable to patients in 2019.

Functionality, complications, and survivorship of total shoulder arthroplasty in patients under 60 years old.

Background: As total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) expands to younger patients, it is crucial to weigh the benefits of early intervention against potential complications and implant longevity in patients under 60 years of age. This study examines mid-term outcomes in this patient subset. Methods: Between 2009 and 2019, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 50 patients (25 male, 25 female) who underwent anatomic TSA (TSA) under the age of 60 with minimum 5 years follow-up. Demographic and baseline variables were extracted from medical records. Pre-operative and post-operative outcomes of range of motion (ROM) and strength were recorded. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were obtained. Results: Fifty patients were followed for an average of 8.7 ± 2.4 years, having a mean age of 54.1 ± 8.4 years. Comparison of pre-operative and post-operative measurements revealed significant improvements in active ROM, including external rotation (ER) (p < 0.0001), forward elevation (FE) (p < 0.0001), and internal rotation (IR) (p = 0.0001). There were significant improvements in functional strength scores, including ER (p = 0.0005) and FE (p = 0.0002). PROs included visual analog scale (VAS) (2.2 ± 2.6), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) (80.3 ± 17.6), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score (76.4 ± 22.8), and Simple Shoulder Test (SST) (8.9 ± 3.2). The 5-year and 10-year implant survival rates were found to be 98.0 % and 83.3 %, respectively. There were 7 postoperative complications in 5 patients (14.0 %), including glenoid loosening (n = 2), infection (n = 1), atraumatic instability (n = 1), lesser tuberosity avulsion (n = 1), painful arthroplasty (n = 1) and traumatic rotator cuff insufficiency (n = 1). Subsequently, all 5 patients underwent revision shoulder arthroplasty at an average of 6.5 years after the initial procedure. Conclusion: Positive mid to long-term outcomes, including significant improvements in ROM and strength, along with high 5-year and 10-year implant survival rates support TSA as an effective treatment option for patients under the age of 60.

Rotator cuff tears.

Rotator cuff tears are the most common upper extremity condition seen by primary care and orthopaedic surgeons, with a spectrum ranging from tendinopathy to full-thickness tears with arthritic change. Some tears are traumatic, but most rotator cuff problems are degenerative. Not all tears are symptomatic and not all progress, and many patients in whom tears become more extensive do not experience symptom worsening. Hence, a standard algorithm for managing patients is challenging. The pathophysiology of rotator cuff tears is complex and encompasses an interplay between the tendon, bone and muscle. Rotator cuff tears begin as degenerative changes within the tendon, with matrix disorganization and inflammatory changes. Subsequently, tears progress to partial-thickness and then full-thickness tears. Muscle quality, as evidenced by the overall size of the muscle and intramuscular fatty infiltration, also influences symptoms, tear progression and the outcomes of surgery. Treatment depends primarily on symptoms, with non-operative management sufficient for most patients with rotator cuff problems. Modern arthroscopic repair techniques have improved recovery, but outcomes are still limited by a lack of understanding of how to improve tendon to bone healing in many patients.

The role of body mass index in survivorship and clinical outcomes in total shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Increased body mass index (BMI) is a potential risk factor for poorer outcomes and complications. However, the influence of BMI on the long-term outcomes of anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) remains to be fully elucidated. METHODS: Institutional records were queried to identify patients who underwent primary total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) between 2009 and 2020 with a minimum of 2 years of clinical follow-up. Retrospective review was performed to collect demographic characteristics; comorbidity status; and range-of-motion and strength measurements in forward elevation, external rotation, and internal rotation. Patients were contacted by telephone to provide patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Patients were stratified into 3 cohorts by BMI: underweight or normal weight (U/NW, BMI ≤25 kg/m2), overweight (OW, BMI >25 to ≤30 kg/m2), and obese (BMI >30 kg/m2). RESULTS: Among 466 TSA patients, 245 underwent aTSA whereas 221 underwent rTSA. In the aTSA cohort, 40 patients were classified as U/NW; 72, as OW; and 133, as obese. Comparatively, the rTSA cohort was composed of 33 U/NW, 79 OW, and 209 obese patients. Patients in the aTSA and rTSA cohorts had an average follow-up period of 5.8 ± 3.2 years and 4.5 ± 2.3 years, respectively. No differences in age at surgery were found in the aTSA group (U/NW vs. obese, 65.2 ± 7.9 years vs. 61.9 ± 8.9 years; P = .133); however, in the rTSA cohort, BMI was found to be inversely related to age at surgery (U/NW vs. obese, 72.4 ± 8.8 years vs. 65.7 ± 8.3 years; P < .001). Across all BMI cohorts, patients saw great improvements in range of motion and strength. Postoperative PROs after TSA did not vary by BMI in terms of Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, Simple Shoulder Test, visual analog scale pain, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores. There was no significant difference in survival rates at 10-year follow-up in the aTSA cohort (U/NW vs. obese, 95.8% vs. 93.2%; P = .753) or rTSA cohort (U/NW vs. obese, 94.7% vs. 94.5%; P = .791). CONCLUSION: With dramatic improvements in range of motion, minimal differences in PROs, and high rates of implant survival, TSA is a safe and effective treatment option for all patients, including overweight and obese patients.

Posterior Glenoid Bone Block Reconstruction: Indications, Techniques, and Outcomes.

Posterior shoulder instability is of particular therapeutic interest, as it typically affects patients with high functional demands such as young athletes and active adults. Although posterior capsulolabral repair has high return-to-sport rates, it is associated with recurrent instability of up to 11%. Posterior glenoid bone loss and significant glenoid retroversion have been identified as risk factors for recurrent instability and failure after primary arthroscopic soft-tissue repair. Therefore, posterior glenoid bone block reconstruction may be indicated for glenoid bone loss 20% or greater (as measured by the perfect circle technique) or greater than 10% in the setting of pathologic glenoid, failed primary posterior labral repair, incompetent posterior capsular tissue, or significant risk factors for failure of soft-tissue repair. This procedure may be performed arthroscopically or with a posterior open approach using distal tibial allograft, iliac crest autograft, or scapular spine autograft. Although short-term to midterm outcomes have been promising, there remain concerns regarding long-term outcomes, with potentially high rates of late recurrence, revision, and secondary osteoarthritis.

Psychological Factors That Affect Return to Sport After Surgical Intervention for Shoulder Instability: A Systematic Review.

Background: Recent advances have begun to identify the nonphysical factors facilitating successful return to sport (RTS) after shoulder instability surgery, yet little is currently known regarding psychological factors and RTS. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purposes of this study were to (1) identify psychological factors associated with RTS, (2) evaluate the prognostic utility of various psychological factors, and (3) evaluate the available metrics used to assess psychological RTS readiness. It was hypothesized that psychological factors would be identified as critical elements influencing a patient's RTS. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Clinical studies reporting on the psychological determinants of RTS for patients who had surgery for shoulder instability between 1996 and 2022 were identified from MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Demographic, clinical, and psychometric properties were extracted for pooled weighted analysis. Results: Of the 969 studies screened, 24 (2.5%) met inclusion criteria. Overall, 2135 patients were included (mean age, 26.0 years; range, 17.4-35.5 years; 84.7% male). The mean time to RTS was 6.8 months (range, 3.7-11.9 months). There was a 76.3% rate of any RTS; of the 1212 patients who reported level of play at return, 305 (25.2%) were unable to perform at their prior level. Psychological reasons were cited by 85% (n = 360) of patients who did not RTS. Fear of reinjury was the most common reason (n = 154; 42.8%); other psychological factors included lack of confidence (n = 46; 12.8%), anxiety (n = 45; 12.5%), depression (n = 44; 12.2%), psychosocial factors (n = 48; 13.3%), and lack of motivation (n = 23; 6.4%). The Shoulder Instability Return to Sport after Injury, Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index, Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptoms Self Report, Degree of Shoulder Involvement in Sports, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia-11, and Veterans Rand 12-Item Health Survey were reported measures for assessing psychology and RTS. Conclusion: Fear of reinjury was found to be the most commonly reported impediment to RTS. The psychological characteristics identified through this review may be incorporated into future RTS protocols seeking to address resilience and nonphysical factors associated with RTS.

Factors Associated With Humeral Avulsion of Glenohumeral Ligament Lesions in Patients With Anterior Shoulder Instability: An Analysis of the MOON Shoulder Instability Cohort.

Background: Humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament (HAGL) lesions are an uncommon cause of anterior glenohumeral instability and may occur in isolation or combination with other pathologies. As HAGL lesions are difficult to detect via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthroscopy, they can remain unrecognized and result in continued glenohumeral instability. Purpose: To compare patients with anterior shoulder instability from a large multicenter cohort with and without a diagnosis of a HAGL lesion and identify preoperative physical examination findings, patient-reported outcomes, imaging findings, and surgical management trends associated with HAGL lesions. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients with anterior glenohumeral instability who underwent surgical management between 2012 and 2020 at 11 orthopaedic centers were enrolled. Patients with HAGL lesions identified intraoperatively were compared with patients without HAGL lesions. Preoperative characteristics, physical examinations, imaging findings, intraoperative findings, and surgical procedures were collected. The Student t test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, Fisher exact test, and chi-square test were used to compare groups. Results: A total of 21 HAGL lesions were identified in 915 (2.3%) patients; approximately one-third (28.6%) of all lesions were visualized intraoperatively but not identified on preoperative MRI. Baseline characteristics did not differ between study cohorts. Compared with non-HAGL patients, HAGL patients were less likely to have a Hill-Sachs lesion (54.7% vs 28.6%; P = .03) or an anterior labral tear (87.2% vs 66.7%; P = .01) on preoperative MRI and demonstrated increased external rotation when their affected arm was positioned at 90° of abduction (85° vs 90°; P = .03). Additionally, HAGL lesions were independently associated with an increased risk of undergoing an open stabilization surgery (odds ratio, 74.6 [95% CI, 25.2-221.1]; P < .001). Conclusion: Approximately one-third of HAGL lesions were missed on preoperative MRI. HAGL patients were less likely to exhibit preoperative imaging findings associated with anterior shoulder instability, such as Hill-Sachs lesions or anterior labral pathology. These patients underwent open procedures more frequently than patients without HAGL lesions.

Development and Validation of a Short-Form Version of the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Scale (Short-WOSI).

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have transitioned from primarily being used as research instruments to becoming increasingly used in the clinical setting to assess recovery and inform shared decision-making. However, there is a need to develop validated short-form PROM instruments to decrease patient burden and ease incorporation into clinical practice. PURPOSE: To assess the validity and responsiveness of a shortened version of the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (Short-WOSI) when compared with the full WOSI and other shoulder-related PROM instruments. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of data collected as part of an institutional review board-approved, multicenter cohort of 1160 patients undergoing surgical stabilization for shoulder instability. The following PROMs were captured preoperatively and 2 years after surgery: WOSI, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE), and 36-Item Health Survey (RAND-36). The cohort was split into 2 data sets: a training set to be used in the development of the Short-WOSI (n = 580) and a test set to be used to assess the validity and responsiveness of the Short-WOSI relative to the full WOSI, ASES, SANE, and RAND-36. RESULTS: The Short-WOSI demonstrated excellent internal consistency before surgery (Cronbach α = .83) and excellent internal consistency at the 2-year follow-up (Cronbach α = .93). The baseline, 2-year, and pre- to postoperative changes in Short-WOSI and WOSI were closely correlated (r > 0.90), with both demonstrating large effect sizes (Short-WOSI = 1.92, WOSI = 1.81). Neither the Short-WOSI nor the WOSI correlated well with the other PROM instruments before (r = 0.21-0.33) or after (r = 0.25-0.38) surgery. The Short-WOSI, WOSI, and SANE scores were more responsive than ASES and RAND-36 scores. CONCLUSION: The 7-item Short-WOSI demonstrated excellent internal consistency and a lack of floor or ceiling effects. The Short-WOSI demonstrated excellent cross-sectional and longitudinal construct validity and was similarly responsive over time as the full WOSI. Neither the Short-WOSI nor WOSI correlated with more general shoulder PROMs, underscoring the advantage of using instability-specific instruments for this population.

Modern Applications of Machine Learning in Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Review.

¼ There is increased integration of machine learning (ML) to aid clinical decision-making in orthopaedic surgery.¼ ML has the ability to predict both clinical outcomes such as range of motion and complications in total shoulder arthroplasty patients.¼ An increased area of focus is the ability for ML to identify implants to aid in revision surgery planning.¼ In this article, we review the current applications of ML in shoulder arthroplasty and discuss future areas where it may enhance orthopaedic practice.

Outcomes of Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty Were Not Adversely Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: The objective was to investigate outcomes in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) in patients affected by the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. We hypothesized that patients undergoing RTSA in early 2020 would have decreased access to physical therapy (PT) and worse postoperative outcomes compared to historical controls. Materials and Methods: Patients who received primary RTSA between 1/1/2020 to 3/17/2020 were included and patients who received primary RTSA between 1/1/2019 to 3/17/2019 were used as a control group. Retrospective chart review was performed, and patient reported outcomes were recorded at an average of 2.69 ± 0.06 years and a minimum of 1 year postoperatively. Patient data were collected and statistically analyzed using the 2-sample t-test and Chi-square test. The Mann Whitney U test and Fisher's Exact test were used when appropriate. Results: 38 patients in 2020 were included in this study and compared to 31 patients in 2019. RTSA performed in 2019 had improvements in forward elevation (FE) (95.7º ± 47.2º to 144.7º ± 17.2º, p<0.001), but not in external rotation (ER) (32.5º ± 20.3º to 41.0º ± 13.3º, p=0.15), or internal rotation (IR) (S1 to L5, p=0.76). RTSA 2020 cases had improvements in FE (111.5º ± 40.3 to 132.8º ± 30.6, p=0.016), but not ER (31.9º ± 18.2 to 35.7º ± 15.9, p=0.36) or IR (S1 to L5, p=0.13). Patients in 2019 (FE: 4 to 5-, p<0.001; ER: 4+ to 5-, p=0.003; IR: 5- to 5, p<0.001) and 2020 (FE: 4 to 5-, p<0.001; ER: 4+ to 5, p<0.001; IR: 5- to 5, p=0.02) both experienced improvements in strength. Patients in 2020 initiated PT later (2019: 39.3 ± 27.3 days, 2020: 57.1 ± 35.5 days, p=0.028) and completed less PT sessions (2019: 20.7 ± 11.1, 2020: 12.9 ± 6.6, p<0.001) than patients in 2019. In the 2020 cohort, 10.5% (4/38) did not complete any PT, 34.2% (13/38) reported a delay in initiating PT, and 47.4% (18/38) reported that their recovery was negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. At final follow-up, patients in 2020 reported a mean SANE score of 73.6 ± 17.5 on their affected shoulder and a mean VAS score of 1.68 ± 1.23. Discussion: Despite a delay in initiating PT and completing less PT overall, patients who received RTSA in 2020 experienced significant improvements in ROM and strength at final follow-up and were comparable to the 2019 patients.

Predictors of Bone Loss in Anterior Glenohumeral Instability.

BACKGROUND: Anterior shoulder instability can result in bone loss of both the anterior glenoid and the posterior humerus. Bone loss has been shown to lead to increased failure postoperatively and may necessitate more complex surgical procedures, resulting in worse clinical outcomes and posttraumatic arthritis. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate predictors of glenoid and humeral head bone loss in patients undergoing surgery for anterior shoulder instability. It was hypothesized that male sex, contact sport participation, traumatic dislocation, and higher number of instability events would be associated with greater bone loss. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: A total of 892 patients with anterior shoulder instability were prospectively enrolled in the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) Shoulder Instability cohort. The presence and amount of anterior glenoid bone loss and accompanying Hill-Sachs lesions were quantified. Descriptive information and injury history were used to construct proportional odds models for the presence of any bone defect, for defects >10% of the anterior glenoid or humeral head, and for combined bony defects. RESULTS: Anterior glenoid bone loss and Hill-Sachs lesions were present in 185 (20.7%) and 470 (52.7%) patients, respectively. Having an increased number of dislocations was associated with bone loss in all models. Increasing age, male sex, and non-White race were associated with anterior glenoid bone defects and Hill-Sachs lesions. Contact sport participation was associated with anterior glenoid bone loss, and Shoulder Actitvity Scale with glenoid bone loss >10%. A positive apprehension test was associated with Hill-Sachs lesions. Combined lesions were present in 19.4% of patients, and for every additional shoulder dislocation, the odds of having a combined lesion was 95% higher. CONCLUSION: An increasing number of preoperative shoulder dislocations is the factor most strongly associated with glenoid bone loss, Hill-Sachs lesions, and combined lesions. Early surgical stabilization before recurrence of instability may be the most effective method for preventing progression to clinically significant bone loss. Patients should be made aware of the expected course of shoulder instability, especially in athletes at high risk for recurrence and osseous defects, which may complicate care and worsen outcomes. REGISTRATION: NCT02075775 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Shoulder arthroplasty following solid organ transplant: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to report a systematic review and meta-analysis of solid organ transplant (SOT) patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty to compare functional and radiographic outcomes, demographics, and complications with non-transplant patients. Methods: Studies were included if they examined patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty in the setting of prior solid organ transplantation and included post operative range of motion, patient-reported outcomes, complications, or revisions. Studies were excluded if they were national database analyses or lacked clinical data. Pubmed, MEDLine, Scopus, and Web of Science were queried using relevant search terms in July 2022. Data was pooled, weighted, and a paired t-test and chi-square analysis was performed. Results: There were 71 SOT and 159 non-SOT shoulders included in the study. The most common indication for surgery was avascular necrosis (n = 26) in the solid organ transplant group and osteoarthritis (n = 60) in the non-SOT group. Forward elevation, external rotation, ASES, and VAS pain scores improved significantly in both cohorts following surgery. There was no significant difference in age at surgery (p-value = 0.20), postoperative forward elevation (p-value = 0.08), postoperative external rotation (0.84), and postoperative ASES scores (p-value = 0.11) between the two cohorts. VAS pain scores were significantly lower in the SOT cohort (p-value<0.01). The risk of death was significantly higher in the SOT group (p-value<0.01). but the rate of overall complications (p = 0.47), surgical complication (p-value = 0.79), or revision surgery (p-value = 1.00) was not significantly different between the two cohorts. Conclusion: Shoulder arthroplasty is a safe, effective option in patients following solid organ transplant. There is not an increased risk of adverse outcomes, and SOT patients had comparable range of motion and patient-reported outcomes when compared to their non-SOT peers. Level of evidence: III.

Subscapularis Repair Augmentation With Bioinductive Implant During Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty.

Subscapularis management and repair are crucial during total shoulder arthroplasty to maximize outcomes. Bioinductive implants have been used to aid in repair of tendons in a variety of surgical techniques. In this surgical technique, we demonstrate our technique of subscapularis repair augmentation with a bioinductive implant during anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty.

The quality and accuracy of direct-to-consumer biologic marketing for shoulder pathology are poor.

Background: The growing role of biologic therapies as adjunct or standalone procedures in orthopedic practice has led to greater levels of direct-to-consumer biologic marketing. The present study aims to assess the quality, accuracy, and readability of online educational resources available to patients regarding biologic therapies for shoulder pathology. Methods: Eight search terms relevant to shoulder biologic therapies (shoulder + BMAC, Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate, PRP, Platelet Rich Plasma, Lipogems, Adipose Tissue, Biologic therapy, and Stem cell therapy) were searched across three separate search engines. The first 25 websites of each search were recorded. Duplicate websites and those not specific to shoulder pathology were excluded. Three evaluators independently assessed quality using an author-derived scoring rubric for a total of 25 possible points and accuracy for a total of 12 possible points. The Flesch-Kincaid readability test was used to quantify reading levels. Websites were further characterized by authorship and the presence of commercial bias. Results: Of the 600 results from the initial search, 59 met inclusion criteria. The mean quality of the websites was poor, with 7.97 ± 2.3 of 25 points (32%). The mean accuracy was low, with 8.47 ± 1.52 of 12 points (71%). The average reading level was 11.2 ± 1.93, with 32% of websites' reading at greater than 12th grade reading level. The search terms of "shoulder PRP" and "shoulder Platelet Rich Plasma" yielded the highest quality results (mean = 8.14 ± 2.63). "shoulder Lipogems" and "shoulder Adipose tissue" yielded the most accurate results (mean = 9.25 ± 0.96). "shoulder BMAC" and "shoulder bone marrow aspirate concentrate" were most difficult to read (mean = 12.54 ± 3.73). Sixty-four percent of websites were authored by physicians, hospitals, or medical groups. The accuracy of websites authored by health care professionals was significantly higher than the accuracy of those authored by other industry sources (P = .01). Fifteen percent of websites demonstrated commercial bias. Discussion: The online resources available to patients seeking information about biologic therapies for the treatment of shoulder pathologies are of very poor quality, moderately poor accuracy, and advanced readability. Providers should caution patients about the reliability of direct-to-consumer biologic marketing for shoulder pathology. Conclusion: The information available to patients online regarding the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of shoulder pathology with biologic therapies is of poor quality and accuracy and difficult readability.

Risk factors for postoperative blood transfusion after shoulder arthroplasty.

Purpose: To identify the effect of surgical indication, patient factors, and perioperative characteristics on transfusion after shoulder arthroplasty (SA). Methods: Shoulder arthroplasties for osteoarthritis (OA) (N = 47), rotator cuff arthropathy (RCA) (N = 50), fracture (N = 76), revision (N = 66), and periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) (N = 35) performed at a single institution during a 6-year period were included. All other indications were excluded. Patient-based and surgical risk factors, including surgical indication, for postoperative allogeneic red blood cell transfusion were assessed with multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 274 SAs were included; transfusions were performed in 2% (2/97) of primary SAs for OA or RCA. Increased transfusion rates occurred in PJI (23%, p = 0.0006) and fracture (18%, p = 0.0018) cases. The mean preoperative hemoglobin (Hgb) was 12.2 ± 2.2 with PJI, 12.0 ± 2.1 with fracture, and 13.3 ± 1.6 g/dL for all other SAs. Independent risk factors for transfusion included lower preoperative hemoglobin (p < 0.001), PJI indication (p = 0.008), and fracture indication (p = 0.02), with no difference for fracture greater or less than 4 weeks old (p = 0.53). Conclusion: Risk factors for allogeneic red blood cell transfusion after SA were low preoperative hemoglobin and procedures for PJI or fracture.Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective case-control study.

Factors Associated With Shoulder Activity Level at Time of Surgery and at 2-Year Follow-up in Patients Undergoing Shoulder Stabilization Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing shoulder stabilization surgery have been shown to have elevated activity levels. Factors associated with shoulder activity in this patient population at baseline and after surgery are unknown. HYPOTHESIS: Patient-specific variables are associated with shoulder activity level at baseline and at 2-year follow-up in a cohort of patients undergoing shoulder stabilization surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Patients undergoing shoulder stabilization surgery were prospectively enrolled. As part of the data collection process, patients completed a previously validated Shoulder Activity Scale. A regression analysis was performed to assess the association of patient characteristics with baseline and 2-year follow-up shoulder activity levels. RESULTS: A total of 764 (n = 612 men, n = 152 women) out of 957 patients (80%) undergoing shoulder stabilization surgery with a median age of 25 years had baseline and 2-year follow-up data and were included in the current analysis. The baseline shoulder activity level was associated with race ( P < .0001) and preoperative duration of instability (P < .0001). At 2 years, 52% of the cohort had returned to the same or higher activity level after surgery. Predictors of higher shoulder activity level at 2-year follow-up included higher baseline activity level (P < .0001), male sex (P < .0001), younger age (P = .004), higher body mass index (BMI) (P = .03), more dislocations (P = .03), nonsmokers (P = .04), and race (P = .04). CONCLUSION: A longer duration of preoperative symptoms was associated with a lower baseline activity in this cohort. High baseline preoperative shoulder activity, younger age, male sex, higher BMI, number of dislocations, and nonsmoking status predicted higher shoulder activity 2 years after shoulder stabilization surgery. REGISTRATION: NCT02075775 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).