Development and validation of a predictive model for outcomes in shoulder arthroplasty: a multicenter analysis of nearly 2000 patients

BACKGROUND

Guiding expectations following shoulder arthroplasty is important in improving patient satisfaction. The purpose of this study was to develop a predictive model to calculate 2-year American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores in shoulder arthroplasty patients from a comprehensive set of preoperative patient factors and types of arthroplasty performed.

METHODS

This retrospective multicenter study included 1947 shoulder arthroplasties performed from 2010 to 2015 at 3 high-volume centers. Twenty-six variables were evaluated for an association with 2-year ASES scores, and variables with P < .20 in our pair-wise analysis were used to develop a predictive model. The prediction root-mean-square error was calculated. External validation was performed using data from 233 patients who underwent shoulder arthroplasty performed by a separate shoulder surgeon at a center not involved with creation of the predictive model.

RESULTS

A total of 1947 patients were analyzed, and their data were used to construct the predictive model. Variables most associated with 2-year ASES scores were patient age, preoperative ASES score, disability, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, alcohol use, anatomic vs. reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, and primary vs. revision shoulder arthroplasty. By use of cross validation, the prediction error was 20.1, the proportion of variance explained was 25.3%, the mean absolute error was 15.9, and the C statistic for the linear regression model was 0.66. After external validation, the mean difference between predicted and actual 2-year ASES scores was 12.7 points, within the accepted minimal clinically important difference after shoulder arthroplasty.

DISCUSSION

Data from nearly 2000 shoulder arthroplasties allowed the development and validation of a model to predict 2-year ASES scores following shoulder arthroplasty. The model was accurate within the minimal clinically important difference in 85% of patients.

Pulmonary Comorbidities Are Associated with Increased Major Complication Rates Following Indwelling Interscalene Nerve Catheters for Shoulder Arthroplasty

Pulmonary comorbidities and ASA physical status class III and IV can significantly increase the rate of major complications after ISC placement. Patients with an underlying pulmonary comorbidity or lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, or obstructive sleep apnea) have a 2.2-fold increased risk of having any complication and a 2.4-fold increased risk of having a major pulmonary complication compared to those without pulmonary comorbidities. Patients with pulmonary comorbidities may benefit from alternative pain management strategies to avoid complications in the early postoperative period.

Knee Dislocations in the Morbidly Obese Patient

Ultra-low-velocity knee dislocations are historically rare but increasingly common events. They occur most frequently in obese, morbidly obese, and super obese patients during everyday activities, but they can be as severe or more severe than high-velocity knee dislocations. Ultra-low-velocity knee dislocations frequently are associated with neurovascular injury and other complications. Diagnosis, early reduction, and identification and treatment of vascular injuries are critical to reducing the risk of limb ischemia and possibly amputation. Given the size of the limb, maintenance of reduction in these patients almost always requires external fixation. Although surgery on morbidly obese patients may be technically challenging, surgical reconstruction leads to improved subjective and objective results and is recommended.

The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Response to COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted every aspect of society in a way never previously experienced by our nation's orthopaedic surgeons. In response to the challenges the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery has taken steps to adapt our Board Certification and Continuous Certification processes. These changes were made to provide flexibility for as many Candidates and Diplomates as possible to participate while maintaining our high standards. The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery is first and foremost committed to the safety and well-being of our patients, physicians, and families while striving to remain responsive to the changing circumstances affecting our Candidates and Diplomates.

The effect of current and former tobacco use on outcomes after primary reverse total shoulder arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of current and former tobacco use on minimum 2-year clinical and radiographic outcomes after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA).

METHODS

Review of primary RTSA patient data identified 186 patients with at least 2 years of follow-up. Patients were classified as nonsmokers (76 patients), former smokers (89 patients), or current smokers (21 patients). Assessment included preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale pain scores, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores, strength, range of motion, complications, revisions, and narcotic use. Radiographs were analyzed for signs of loosening or mechanical failure.

RESULTS

Overall mean age of the patients was 70 (48-87) years, and mean follow-up was 2.6 (2.0-5.7) years. Smokers (62.1 years) were significantly younger than nonsmokers (70.7 years) and former smokers (70.8 years; P = .00002). All patients had significant improvements in pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, strength, and forward flexion range of motion; however, smokers had higher visual analog scale pain scores (mean, 2.5) than nonsmokers (mean, 1.8) or former smokers (mean, 1.0; P = .014). Otherwise, no differences were found regarding any of the postoperative parameters (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Aside from increased patient-reported pain, current tobacco use does not appear to negatively affect outcomes after primary RTSA. The RTSA design obviates the need for a functioning rotator cuff, possibly mitigating tobacco's negative effects previously demonstrated in rotator cuff repair and anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty. Former users obtained outcomes similar to those of nonusers, suggesting that tobacco use is a modifiable risk factor to achieve optimal pain relief after RTSA.

Effect of Shoulder Stabilization on Career Length and Performance in National Basketball Association Athletes

PURPOSE

Untreated episodes of shoulder instability can have major consequences on athletic careers. Operative shoulder stabilization reduces the rate of recurrent instability and allows for high rates of return to sport (RTS). Basketball players who experience an episode of instability have high rates of recurrence, though little is known about postoperative player performance. The purpose of this study was to identify the impact of shoulder instability and surgical stabilization on player performance and career lengths in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

METHODS

NBA players who had episodes of shoulder instability between 1994-2014 were identified using the NBA Injury Surveillance and Analytics Database. Players were stratified according to operative versus nonoperative treatment of shoulder instability. Two demographic- and performance-matched controls were chosen for each test subject. Univariate analyses were used to compare pre- and postoperative player performance metrics. Survival analysis was used to assess the effect of shoulder surgery on postoperative career lengths.

RESULTS

Fifty athletes were identified, 46 (92.0%) returned to play in the NBA. Compared to controls, there was no significant difference in postoperative performance according to either 1- or 3-year averages. Survival analysis demonstrated no significant difference in postoperative career lengths between athletes with a history of shoulder surgery for instability and matched controls.

CONCLUSION

NBA players return to professional basketball in high numbers following orthopedic surgery for shoulder instability. Shoulder instability may not be a career-altering event, as there are highly effective methods of shoulder stabilization available to athletes.

Identifying appropriate candidates for ambulatory outpatient shoulder arthroplasty: validation of a patient selection algorithm

BACKGROUND

Outpatient total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is increasing in frequency, but the selection of patients who are appropriate outpatient joint candidates remains challenging. We propose an algorithm for selecting outpatient TSA candidates, with validation by a cohort of patients from an ambulatory surgery center (ASC).

METHODS

We identified 61 patients who had primary anatomic and reverse TSA. The selection algorithm, which stratifies patients referable to their age and cardiopulmonary comorbidities, was used to choose patients for outpatient surgery. Complications, including cardiopulmonary, thromboembolic, and postoperative wound problems, were recorded.

RESULTS

All 61 patients were discharged from the ASC on the day of surgery. There were no cardiopulmonary events requiring intervention or hospital admission. One patient (2%) required a secondary operation, 3 patients (5%) experienced acute surgical complications, 3 patients (5%) had transient postoperative nausea, and 4 patients (7%) had additional complications within the 90-day episode of care.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to propose a patient selection method for outpatient TSA. Using this algorithm for patient selection produced a low rate of perioperative complications and no hospital admissions. We suggest this algorithm provides an evidence-based method for the standardization of outpatient TSA candidate selection.

Liposomal bupivacaine mixture has similar pain relief and significantly fewer complications at less cost compared with indwelling interscalene catheter in total elbow arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pain control, short-term and long-term narcotic consumption, complication rates, and costs of indwelling interscalene catheter (ISC) were compared with a liposomal bupivacaine (LBC) mixture in patients undergoing primary total elbow arthroplasty.

METHODS

Forty-four consecutive patients were identified, the first 28 with an ISC and the later 16 with intraoperative LBC injection that also included ketorolac and 0.5% bupivacaine. Medical records were reviewed for visual analog scale scores for pain, oral morphine equivalent (OME) use, complications, and facility charges.

RESULTS

Average visual analog scale scores at 24 hours, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks were not significantly different. Mean OME use was significantly greater in the LBC group at 24 hours but less at 12 weeks, although this difference was not statistically significant. Twelve anesthetic-related complications occurred in the ISC group (1 major and 11 minor); 10 patients (36%) had at least 1 complication. The major complication was respiratory failure requiring emergent tracheostomy. Minor complications included leaking pump/catheters, catheters inadvertently pulled out early, global hand paresthesias, forearm paresthesias, and pain at the catheter site. There were no anesthetic-related complications in the LBC group. The average charge for the LBC mixture was $327.10; charges for ISC, including equipment and anesthesia fees, were $1472.42.

CONCLUSIONS

An LBC mixture provides similar pain relief with fewer complications at a lower cost than indwelling ISC after total elbow arthroplasty. Although the OME use in the LBC group was almost double that of the ISC group at 24 hours, there was no difference at later time points.

Five-year minimum clinical and radiographic outcomes of total shoulder arthroplasty using a hybrid glenoid component with a central porous titanium post

BACKGROUND

To determine the effectiveness of hybrid glenoid components in reducing the frequency of glenoid component loosening, we evaluated clinical and radiographic outcomes at a minimum 5-year follow-up in 45 shoulders that underwent total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) using a system with a central porous titanium post to augment the cemented peripheral pegs.

METHODS

Function and pain were evaluated with the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment score, visual analog scale, active shoulder range of motion, and strength. Postoperative radiographs were analyzed for radiolucent lines, progressive loosening, and at-risk signs.

RESULTS

The mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score improved from 40.4 to 83.7 (P < .0001) and the mean visual analog scale from 5.9 to 0.8 (P < .0001). Forward elevation improved from 113° to 151° (P < .001), internal rotation from 49° to 60° (P = .035), and mean external rotation from 36° to 50° (P = .0006). Radiographs showed glenoid component radiolucency in 29 shoulders. Radiolucencies were confined to the area under the glenoid faceplate in 6 and were only around the central post in 13. Nine TSAs (20%) demonstrated 2 or more columns of involvement but were not judged to be at-risk. One implant (2.2%) had glenoid component failure and was revised to a hemiarthroplasty.

CONCLUSION

Anatomic TSA using a hybrid glenoid component with a central porous titanium post demonstrated a low rate of mechanical failure and a rate of radiolucent lines comparable to reports of all polyethylene implants. Further evaluations are needed to demonstrate the long-term durability of these implants and to determine the significance and fate of the radiolucent lines, particularly relative to the central post.

Liposomal Bupivacaine Mixture Has Similar Pain Relief and Significantly Fewer Complications at Less Cost Compared to Indwelling Interscalene Catheter in Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

The efficacy and costs of indwelling interscalene catheter (ISC) and liposomal bupivacaine (LBC), with and without adjunctive medications, in patients with primary shoulder arthroplasty are a source of current debate.

METHODS

In 214 arthroplasties, 156 patients had ISC and 58 had LBC injections that were mixed with morphine, ketorolac, and 0.5% bupivacaine with epinephrine. Charts were reviewed for visual analog scale pain scores, oral morphine equivalent (OME) usage, major complications, and costs.

RESULTS

Visual analog scale scores were not significantly different at 24 hours or at 2, 6, and 12 weeks. Average OME consumption at 24 hours was significantly more with LBC, but was not significantly different at 12 weeks. Relative risk of a major complication was nearly 4 times higher with ISC than with LBC. The average cost for the LBC mixture was $289.04, and for ISC, including equipment and anesthesia fees, was $1559.42.

CONCLUSION

The intraoperative LBC mixture provided equivalent pain relief with significantly fewer major complications and at markedly lower cost than ISC. LBC required almost twice as much OME to attain the same level of pain relief at 24 hours, but there was no significant difference in the cumulative amount of outpatient narcotic use.

Neer Award 2016: Outpatient total shoulder arthroplasty in an ambulatory surgery center is a safe alternative to inpatient total shoulder arthroplasty in a hospital: a matched cohort study

BACKGROUND

Recent emphasis on safe and efficient delivery of high-quality health care has increased interest in outpatient total joint arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of outpatient total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) by comparing episode-of-care complications in matched cohorts of patients with anatomic TSA as an outpatient or inpatient procedure.

METHODS

Thirty patients with outpatient TSA at a freestanding ambulatory surgery center (ASC) were compared with an age- and comorbidities-matched cohort of 30 patients with traditional inpatient TSA to evaluate 90-day episode-of-care complications, including hospital admissions or readmissions and reoperations. Two-tailed t-tests were used to evaluate differences, and differences of P < .05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found between the ASC and hospital cohorts regarding average age, preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists score, operative indications, or body mass index. No patient required reoperation. There were no hospital admissions from the ASC cohort and no readmissions from the hospital cohort. Minor complications in the ASC cohort were arthrofibrosis in 2 patients and mild asymptomatic anterior subluxation in 1 patient; the only major complication was in an outpatient who fell 11 weeks after surgery and disrupted his subscapularis repair. Three minor complications in the hospital cohort were mild asymptomatic anterior subluxation, blood transfusion, and superficial venous thrombosis. The complication rates (13% vs. 10%) were not significantly different.

CONCLUSIONS

Outpatient TSA is a safe alternative to hospital admission in appropriately selected patients. Further investigation is warranted to evaluate the longer term outcomes and cost-effectiveness of outpatient TSA.