How to avoid baseplate failure: the effect of compression and reverse shoulder arthroplasty baseplate design on implant stability.

BACKGROUND: Failure to achieve fixation of the glenoid baseplate will lead to clinical failure. The fixation of the baseplate to the scapula must be able to withstand sufficient shear forces to allow bony ingrowth. The importance of compression to neutralize the forces at the baseplate-bone interface has been assumed to be critical in limiting excessive micromotion. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of compression on implant stability with different baseplate designs. METHODS: Various baseplate designs (1-piece monolithic central screw [1P], 2-piece locking central screw [2PL], and 2-piece nonlocking center screw [2PNL]) were investigated at 3 different compressive forces (high [810 N], medium [640 N], and low [530 N]). Synthetic bone cylinders were instrumented, and peripheral screws were used in all models. The combination of 1 locking and 3 nonlocking peripheral screw fixation was selected as worst-case scenario. Dynamic testing protocol followed the ASTM F2028-17 standard. The baseplate micromotion at high compression was compared to low compression. Additionally, the baseplate micromotion for each design was compared at baseline (first 50 cycles) and at 10,000 cycles for the 3 different compressive forces where motion above 150 µm was defined as failure. RESULTS: Baseplate micromotion was found to negatively correlate with compression (rpb = -0.83, P < .0001). At baseline, all baseplate designs were considered stable, regardless of compression. With high compression, average micromotion at the glenoid baseplate-bone interface remained below the 150-µm threshold for all baseplate designs at 10,000 cycles (1P: 50 ± 10 µm; 2PL: 78 ± 32 µm; 2PNL: 79 ± 8 µm; P = .060). With medium compression, average micromotion at 10,000 cycles for all 3 designs remained below the 150-µm threshold (1P: 88 ± 22 µm; 2PL: 132 ± 26 µm; 2PNL: 107 ± 39 µm). The 2PL design had the highest amount of micromotion (P = .013). With low compression, both 2-piece designs had an average micromotion above the 150-µm threshold whereas the 1-piece design did not (1P: 133 ± 35 µm; 2PL: 183 ± 21 µm; 2PNL: 166 ± 39 µm). The 2PL design had significantly higher micromotion when compared to 1P design (P = .041). DISCUSSION: The stability of a central screw baseplate correlates with the amount of compression obtained and is affected by implant design. For the same amount of compression, more micromotion is observed in a 2-piece design than a 1-piece design.

Disease diagnosis and arthroplasty type are strongly associated with short-term postoperative patient-reported outcomes in patients undergoing primary total shoulder arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Prognostic factors for total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) clinical outcomes are incompletely understood. This study investigates the associations of preoperative patient, disease-specific, and surgical factors with 1-year postoperative PENN Shoulder Score (PSS) in patients undergoing primary TSA. METHODS: Cleveland Clinic patients undergoing primary anatomic TSA (aTSA) or reverse TSA (rTSA) for glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GHOA) or rotator cuff tear arthropathy (CTA) between February 2015 and August 2019, and having complete preoperative and 1-year postoperative patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), were included. Twenty preselected preoperative patient, disease-specific, and surgical factors were used to fit multivariable models for 1-year PSS and its subscores. RESULTS: Of 1427 eligible primary TSAs, 1174 had 1-year follow-up by PROMs (82%), with 1042 analyzed after additional exclusions, including 30% rTSAs for CTA (n = 308), 26% rTSAs for GHOA (n = 275), and 44% aTSAs for GHOA (n = 459). All PROMs showed statistically significant improvements postoperatively, with 89% of patients reaching an acceptable symptom state. Lower 1-year PSS was associated with younger age, female sex, current smoking, chronic pain diagnosis, history of prior surgery, worker's compensation claim, lower preoperative mental health, lower baseline PSS, absence of glenoid bone loss, and diagnosis-arthroplasty type (CTA-rTSA < GHOA-rTSA < GHOA-aTSA). The most important prognostic factors associated with 1-year PSS were diagnosis-arthroplasty type, baseline mental health status, and insurance status. CONCLUSIONS: Disease diagnosis, arthroplasty type, and several other baseline factors are strongly and individually associated with PROMs following primary TSA, with patients undergoing aTSA for GHOA demonstrating the highest PROM scores at 1-year follow-up. Patient, disease-specific, and surgical factors can be used to guide postoperative prognosis following primary TSA for improved preoperative patient counseling regarding expected outcomes of these procedures.

Predictors of dislocations after reverse shoulder arthroplasty: a study by the ASES complications of RSA multicenter research group.

BACKGROUND: Instability after reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is one of the most frequent complications and remains a clinical challenge. Current evidence is limited by small sample size, single-center, or single-implant methodologies that limit generalizability. We sought to determine the incidence and patient-related risk factors for dislocation after RSA, using a large, multicenter cohort with varying implants. METHODS: A retrospective, multicenter study was performed involving 15 institutions and 24 American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons members across the United States. Inclusion criteria consisted of patients undergoing primary or revision RSA between January 2013 and June 2019 with minimum 3-month follow-up. All definitions, inclusion criteria, and collected variables were determined using the Delphi method, an iterative survey process involving all primary investigators requiring at least 75% consensus to be considered a final component of the methodology for each study element. Dislocations were defined as complete loss of articulation between the humeral component and the glenosphere and required radiographic confirmation. Binary logistic regression was performed to determine patient predictors of postoperative dislocation after RSA. RESULTS: We identified 6621 patients who met inclusion criteria with a mean follow-up of 19.4 months (range: 3-84 months). The study population was 40% male with an average age of 71.0 years (range: 23-101 years). The rate of dislocation was 2.1% (n = 138) for the whole cohort, 1.6% (n = 99) for primary RSAs, and 6.5% (n = 39) for revision RSAs (P < .001). Dislocations occurred at a median of 7.0 weeks (interquartile range: 3.0-36.0 weeks) after surgery with 23.0% (n = 32) after a trauma. Patients with a primary diagnosis of glenohumeral osteoarthritis with an intact rotator cuff had an overall lower rate of dislocation than patients with other diagnoses (0.8% vs. 2.5%; P < .001). Patient-related factors independently predictive of dislocation, in order of the magnitude of effect, were a history of postoperative subluxations before radiographically confirmed dislocation (odds ratio [OR]: 19.52, P < .001), primary diagnosis of fracture nonunion (OR: 6.53, P < .001), revision arthroplasty (OR: 5.61, P < .001), primary diagnosis of rotator cuff disease (OR: 2.64, P < .001), male sex (OR: 2.21, P < .001), and no subscapularis repair at surgery (OR: 1.95, P = .001). CONCLUSION: The strongest patient-related factors associated with dislocation were a history of postoperative subluxations and having a primary diagnosis of fracture nonunion. Notably, RSAs for osteoarthritis showed lower rates of dislocations than RSAs for rotator cuff disease. These data can be used to optimize patient counseling before RSA, particularly in male patients undergoing revision RSA.

Risk factors of acromial and scapular spine stress fractures differ by indication: a study by the ASES Complications of Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty Multicenter Research Group.

BACKGROUND: Both patient and implant related variables have been implicated in the incidence of acromial (ASF) and scapular spine fractures (SSF) following reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA); however, previous studies have not characterized nor differentiated risk profiles for varying indications including primary glenohumeral arthritis with intact rotator cuff (GHOA), rotator cuff arthropathy (CTA), and massive irreparable rotator cuff tear (MCT). The purpose of this study was to determine patient factors predictive of cumulative ASF/SSF risk for varying preoperative diagnosis and rotator cuff status. METHODS: Patients consecutively receiving RSA between January 2013 and June 2019 from 15 institutions comprising 24 members of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) with primary, preoperative diagnoses of GHOA, CTA and MCT were included for study. Inclusion criteria, definitions, and inclusion of patient factors in a multivariate model to predict cumulative risk of ASF/SSF were determined through an iterative Delphi process. The CTA and MCT groups were combined for analysis. Consensus was defined as greater than 75% agreement amongst contributors. Only ASF/SSF confirmed by clinical and radiographic correlation were included for analysis. RESULTS: Our study cohort included 4764 patients with preoperative diagnoses of GHOA, CTA, or MCT with minimum follow-up of 3 months (range: 3-84). The incidence of cumulative stress fracture was 4.1% (n = 196). The incidence of stress fracture in the GHOA cohort was 2.1% (n = 34/1637) compared to 5.2% (n = 162/3127) (P < .001) in the CTA/MCT cohort. Presence of inflammatory arthritis (odds ratio [OR] 2.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-7.78; P = .035) was the sole predictive factor of stress fractures in GHOA, compared with inflammatory arthritis (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.19-2.89; P = .016), female sex (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.20-2.72; P = .007), and osteoporosis (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.02-2.37; P = .003) in the CTA/MCT cohort. CONCLUSION: Preoperative diagnosis of GHOA has a different risk profile for developing stress fractures after RSA than patients with CTA/MCT. Though rotator cuff integrity is likely protective against ASF/SSF, approximately 1/46 patients receiving RSA with primary GHOA will have this complication, primarily influenced by a history of inflammatory arthritis. Understanding risk profiles of patients undergoing RSA by varying diagnosis is important in counseling, expectation management, and treatment by surgeons.

New Approaches to the Diagnosis and Management of Periprosthetic Joint Infection of the Shoulder.

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) of the shoulder is a potentially devastating complication following shoulder arthroplasty. It is important to review the workup of PJI in the shoulder, including recently developed diagnostic criteria for shoulder PJI, along with detailed examination of the most common causative organism, Cutibacterium acnes. Treatment strategies for PJI of the shoulder include antibiotic therapy, surgical options, and what to do with unexpected positive cultures in revision arthroplasty. Surgeons should be familiar with bony and soft-tissue reconstructive options following explantation of an infected shoulder prosthesis.

What do positive and negative Cutibacterium culture results in periprosthetic shoulder infection mean? A multi-institutional control study.

BACKGROUND: Deep tissue culture specimens obtained at the time of revision shoulder arthroplasty are commonly positive for Cutibacterium. Clinical interpretation of positive cultures can be difficult. This was a multi-institutional study evaluating the accuracy of cultures for Cutibacterium using positive control (PC) and negative control (NC) samples. The relationship between time to culture positivity and strength of culture positivity was also studied. METHODS: Eleven different institutions were each sent 12 blinded samples (10 PC and 2 NC samples). The 10 PC samples included 2 sets of 5 different dilutions of a Cutibacterium isolate from a failed total shoulder arthroplasty with a probable periprosthetic infection. At each institution, the samples were handled as if they were received from the operating room. Specimen growth, time to culture positivity, and strength of culture positivity (based on semiquantitative assessment) were reported. RESULTS: A total of 110 PC samples and 22 NC samples were tested. One hundred percent of specimens at the 4 highest dilutions were positive for Cutibacterium. At the lowest dilution, 91% of samples showed positive findings. Cutibacterium grew in 14% of NC samples. Cutibacterium grew in PC samples at an average of 4.0 ± 1.3 days, and all of these samples showed growth within 7 days. The time to positivity was significantly shorter (P < .001) and the strength of positivity was significantly higher (P < .001) in true-positive cultures compared with false-positive cultures. CONCLUSIONS: This multi-institutional study suggests that different institutions may report highly consistent rates of culture positivity for revision shoulder arthroplasty samples with higher bacterial loads. In contrast, with lower bacterial loads, the results are somewhat less consistent. Clinicians should consider using a shorter time to positivity and a higher strength of positivity as adjuncts in determining whether a tissue culture sample is a true positive.

Low-dose CT with metal artifact reduction in arthroplasty imaging: a cadaveric and clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a simulated low-dose metal artifact reduction (MAR) CT technique is comparable with a clinical dose MAR technique for shoulder arthroplasty evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two shoulder arthroplasties in cadavers and 25 shoulder arthroplasties in patients were scanned using a clinical dose (140 kVp, 300 qrmAs); cadavers were also scanned at half dose (140 kVp, 150 qrmAs). Images were reconstructed using a MAR CT algorithm at full dose and a noise-insertion algorithm simulating 50% dose reduction. For the actual and simulated half-dose cadaver scans, differences in SD for regions of interest were assessed, and streak artifact near the arthroplasty was graded by 3 blinded readers. Simulated half-dose scans were compared with full-dose scans in patients by measuring differences in implant position and by comparing readers' grades of periprosthetic osteolysis and muscle atrophy. RESULTS: The mean difference in SD between actual and simulated half-dose methods was 2.42 HU (95% CI [1.4, 3.4]). No differences in streak artifact grades were seen in 13/18 (72.2%) comparisons in cadavers. In patients, differences in implant position measurements were within 1° or 1 mm in 149/150 (99.3%) measurements. The inter-reader agreement rates were nearly identical when readers were using full-dose (77.3% [232/300] for osteolysis and 76.9% [173/225] for muscle atrophy) and simulated half-dose (76.7% [920/1200] for osteolysis and 74.0% [666/900] for muscle atrophy) scans. CONCLUSION: A simulated half-dose MAR CT technique is comparable both quantitatively and qualitatively with a standard-dose technique for shoulder arthroplasty evaluation, demonstrating that this technique could be used to reduce dose in arthroplasty imaging.

Editorial Commentary: Are Serum Inflammatory Markers Useful Diagnostic Tools in the Shoulder?

Serum inflammatory markers are commonly used to evaluate for the presence of surgical-site infection or periprosthetic joint infections following orthopaedic surgery. However, data on the utility of these tests following shoulder surgery are more limited. Worse diagnostic performance is seen in the shoulder when compared with use of these tests in the evaluation of hip and knee infections, likely due to the low virulence of the commonly cultured shoulder organisms, and the normalization of these serum markers following shoulder surgery is less well defined when compared with the hip and knee literature. A better understanding of the behavior of these serum inflammatory markers in the shoulder may enhance the utility of these tests in the diagnosis and management of infection following elective shoulder surgery.

Central-peg radiolucency progression of an all-polyethylene glenoid with hybrid fixation in anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty is associated with clinical failure and reoperation.

BACKGROUND: Glenoid component loosening is a common cause of failure after anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty. Prior studies of all-polyethylene glenoid implants with hybrid fixation did not show early glenoid radiolucency to be clinically significant. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical significance of progression of radiolucency around the central peg of the glenoid component. METHODS: We identified 73 shoulders that underwent primary anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty between January 1995 and May 2015 for osteoarthritis with an all-polyethylene pegged glenoid, with a minimum follow-up interval of 2 years between early and late follow-up. Demographic, radiographic (central-peg osteolysis [CPO] and central-peg grading [CPG]), and outcome variables comprising the Penn Shoulder Score (PSS) and revision surgery were collected. Clinical failure was defined as a PSS decrease >11.4 points (ie, PSS failure) or revision surgery. RESULTS: The average patient age at surgery was 65 ± 7 years, and 63% of patients were men. The median initial follow-up period was 14 months (interquartile range, 12-25 months), and the final median follow-up period was 56 months (interquartile range, 47-69 months). Revision surgical procedures were performed in 4 patients, and 17 PSS failures occurred. We found that CPO at final follow-up, CPG progression, and worse PSS at follow-up were associated with revision surgery (P < .05). We also found younger age at surgery, CPO at final follow-up, CPG progression, and greater glenoid component retroversion at final follow-up to be associated with clinical failure (PSS failure or revision surgery) (P < .05). Multivariate analysis found only CPG progression to be associated with clinical failure (P < .001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: CPO and CPG progression were associated with clinical failure, defined as decreasing clinical outcome scores or revision surgery.

Three-dimensional computed tomography analysis of pathologic correction in total shoulder arthroplasty based on severity of preoperative pathology.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to quantify correction of glenoid deformity and humeral head alignment in anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty as a function of preoperative pathology (modified Walch classification) and glenoid implant type in a clinical cohort using 3-dimensional computed tomography (CT) analysis. METHODS: Patients undergoing anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty with a standard glenoid (SG) (n = 110) or posteriorly stepped augmented glenoid (AG) (n = 62) component were evaluated with a preoperative CT scan and a postoperative CT scan within 3 months of surgery. Glenoid version, inclination, and medial-lateral (ML) joint line position, as well as humeral head alignment, were assessed on both CT scans, with preoperative-to-postoperative changes analyzed relative to pathology and premorbid anatomy based on the modified Walch classification and glenoid implant type. RESULTS: On average, correction to the premorbid ML joint line position was significantly less in type A2 glenoids than in type A1 glenoids (-2.3 ± 2.1 mm vs. 1.1 ± 0.9 mm, P < .001). Correction to premorbid version was not different between type B2 glenoids with AG components and type A1 glenoids with SG components (-1.7° ± 6.6° vs. -1.0° ± 4.0°, P = .57), and the premorbid ML joint line position was restored on average in both groups (0.3 ± 1.6 mm vs. 1.1 ± 0.9 mm, P = .006). Correction to premorbid version was not different between type B3 glenoids with AG components and type A1 glenoids with SG components (-0.6° ± 5.1° vs. -1.0° ± 4.0°, P = .72), but correction relative to the premorbid ML joint line position was significantly less in type B3 glenoids with AG components than in type A1 glenoids with SG components (-2.2 ± 2.1 mm vs. 1.1 ± 0.9 mm, P < .001). Postoperative humeral glenoid alignment was not different in any group comparisons. DISCUSSION: In cases with posterior glenoid bone loss and retroversion (type B2 or B3 glenoids), an AG component can better correct retroversion and the glenoid ML joint line position compared with an SG component, with correction to premorbid version comparable to a type A1 glenoid with an SG component. However, restoration of the premorbid ML joint line position may not always be possible with SG or AG components in cases with more advanced central glenoid bone loss (type A2 or B3 glenoids). Further follow-up is needed to determine the clinical consequences of these findings.

Associations of preoperative patient mental health status and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics with baseline pain, function, and satisfaction in patients undergoing primary shoulder arthroplasty.

HYPOTHESIS AND BACKGROUND: Shoulder pain and dysfunction are common indications for shoulder arthroplasty, yet the factors that are associated with these symptoms are not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the associations of patient and disease-specific factors with preoperative patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in patients undergoing primary shoulder arthroplasty. We hypothesized that worse mental health status assessed by the Veterans RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12) mental component score (MCS), glenoid bone loss, and increasing rotator cuff tear severity would be associated with lower values for the preoperative total Penn Shoulder Score (PSS) and its pain, function, and satisfaction subscores. METHODS: We prospectively identified 12 patient factors and 4 disease-specific factors as possible statistical predictors of preoperative PROMs in patients undergoing primary shoulder arthroplasty at a single institution over a 3-year period. Multivariable statistical modeling and Akaike information criterion comparisons were used to investigate the unique associations with, and relative importance of, these factors in accounting for variation in the preoperative PSS and its subscores. RESULTS: A total of 788 cases performed by 12 surgeons met the inclusion criteria, with a preoperative median total PSS of 31 points (pain, 10 points; function, 18 points; and satisfaction, 1 point). As hypothesized, a lower VR-12 MCS was associated with lower preoperative PSS pain, function, and total scores, but patients with intact status or small to medium rotator cuff tears had modestly lower PSS pain subscores (ie, more pain) than patients with large to massive superior-posterior rotator cuff tears. Glenoid bone loss was not associated with the preoperative PSS. Female sex and fewer years of education (for all 4 outcomes), lower VR-12 MCS and preoperative opioid use (for all outcomes but satisfaction), and rotator cuff tear severity (for pain only) were the factors most prominently associated with preoperative PROMs. CONCLUSION: In addition to mental health status and rotator cuff tear status, patient sex, years of education, and preoperative opioid use were most prominently associated with preoperative PROMs in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty. Further studies are needed to investigate whether these factors will also predict postoperative PROMs.

Inter-rater agreement of rotator cuff tendon and muscle magnetic resonance imaging parameters evaluated preoperatively and during the first postoperative year following rotator cuff repair.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is standard of care for rotator cuff evaluation, with clinical interpretation usually limited to qualitative judgments. The reliability of MRI-based measurements and scoring systems has been evaluated only preoperatively or ≥6 months following rotator cuff repair, when repairs are in the later stages of healing. This study describes the MRI assessments and inter-rater agreement of various rotator cuff tendon and muscle parameters evaluated preoperatively and 4 times during the first postoperative year. METHODS: Two musculoskeletal radiologists independently assessed MRI scans of 42 patients preoperatively and 3, 12, 26, and 52 weeks after rotator cuff repair. Using standardized reading rules, readers assessed tendon integrity (5-point Sugaya classification), tear dimensions, muscle fat (5-point Goutallier classification) and atrophy (4-point Warner classification), muscle cross-sectional areas, and myotendinous junction distance. Raw exact agreement proportions, κ statistics, and correlation coefficients were used to quantify inter-rater agreement. RESULTS: Readers showed moderate to substantial above-chance agreement in scoring rotator cuff tendon integrity and supraspinatus muscle atrophy and good to excellent agreement on tear dimensions and muscle cross-sectional areas but only fair to moderate agreement for fatty infiltration and myotendinous junction distance. Only fatty infiltration grades evidenced observer bias. Inter-rater agreement did not appear time dependent. CONCLUSION: By use of defined reading rules in a research setting, MRI evaluations of rotator cuff tendon integrity, tear dimensions, muscle atrophy, and cross-sectional areas have reasonable reliability at all time points in the first postoperative year. However, the presence of clinically significant disagreements, even in such favorable circumstances, indicates the need for improved imaging tools for precise rotator cuff evaluation.

Reliability of the modified Walch classification for advanced glenohumeral osteoarthritis using 3-dimensional computed tomography analysis: a study of the ASES B2 Glenoid Multicenter Research Group.

BACKGROUND: Variations in glenoid morphology affect surgical treatment and outcome of advanced glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA). The purpose of this study was to assess the inter- and intraobserver reliability of the modified Walch classification using 3-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) imaging in a multicenter research group. METHODS: Deidentified preoperative CTs of patients with primary glenohumeral OA undergoing anatomic or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) were reviewed with 3D imaging software by 23 experienced shoulder surgeons across 19 institutions. CTs were separated into 2 groups for review: group 1 (96 cases involving all modified Walch classification categories evaluated by 12 readers) and group 2 (98 cases involving posterior glenoid deformity categories [B2, B3, C1, C2] evaluated by 11 readers other than the first 12). Each case group was reviewed by the same set of readers 4 different times (with and without the glenoid vault model present), blindly and in random order. Inter- and intraobserver reliabilities were calculated to assess agreement (slight, fair, moderate, substantial, almost perfect) within groups and by modified Walch classification categories. RESULTS: Interobserver reliability showed fair to moderate agreement for both groups. Group 1 had a kappa of 0.43 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.38, 0.48) with the glenoid vault model absent and 0.41 (95% CI: 0.37, 0.46) with it present. Group 2 had a kappa of 0.38 (95% CI: 0.33, 0.43) with the glenoid vault model absent and 0.37 (95% CI: 0.32, 0.43) with it present. Intraobserver reliability showed substantial agreement for group 1 with (0.63, range 0.47-0.71) and without (0.61, range 0.52-0.69) the glenoid vault model present. For group 2, intraobserver reliability showed moderate agreement with the glenoid vault model absent (0.51, range 0.30-0.72), which improved to substantial agreement with the glenoid vault model present (0.61, range 0.34-0.87). DISCUSSION: Inter- and intraobserver reliability of the modified Walch classification were fair to moderate and moderate to substantial, respectively, using standardized 3D CT imaging analysis in a large multicenter study. The findings potentially suggest that cases with a spectrum of posterior glenoid bone loss and/or dysplasia can be harder to distinguish by modified Walch type because of a lack of defined thresholds, and the glenoid vault model may be beneficial in determining Walch type in certain scenarios. The ability to reproducibly separate patients into groups based on preoperative pathology, including Walch type, is important for future studies to accurately evaluate postoperative outcomes in TSA patient cohorts.

Effectiveness of a Web-Based Electronic Prospective Data Collection Tool for Surgical Data in Shoulder Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the validity and efficiency of the Outcomes Management and Evaluation (OME) system, a prospectively designed electronic data collection tool, for collecting comprehensive and standardized surgical data in shoulder arthroplasty. METHODS: Surgical data from the first 100 cases of shoulder arthroplasty that were collected into the OME database were analyzed. Surgeons completed a traditional narrative operative note and also an OME case report using an encrypted smartphone. A blinded reviewer extracted data from the operative notes and implant logs in the electronic medical records (EMR) by manual chart review. OME and EMR data were compared with regard to data counts and agreement between 39 variables related to preoperative pathology, including rotator cuff status and glenoid wear, and surgical procedures. Data counts were assessed using both raw percentages and with McNemar's test (with continuity correction). Agreement of nominal variables was analyzed using Cohen's unweighted kappa (κ) and of ordinal variables using the linearly weighted Cohen's test. Efficiency was assessed by calculating the median time needed to complete OME. RESULTS: Compared to the EMR, the OME database had significantly higher data counts for 56% (22 of 39) of the variables assessed. A high level of proportional and statistical agreement was demonstrated between the data in the two datasets. 10 of 39 variables had 100% agreement but could not be statistically compared because both datasets had the same single response under those variables. Among the 29 variables that were compared, 79% (23 of 29) of variables had >80% raw proportional agreement, and 69% (20 of 29) of variables showed at least substantial agreement (κ > 0.6). The median time for completing OME surgery data entry was 92 seconds (IQR 70 - 126). CONCLUSION: The prospectively designed, electronic data entry system (OME) is an efficient and valid tool for collecting comprehensive and standardized surgical data on shoulder arthroplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Editorial Commentary: The Surgeon is the Method: Patient Positioning in Arthroscopic Repair of Shoulder Panlabral Tears.

Combined tears of the anterior, posterior, and superior glenoid labrum have not been commonly reported in the literature. These lesions represent a small, but significant portion of labral injuries. Care should be taken in the diagnosis and management of these lesions because preoperative physical examination and imaging may have limited ability to detect the full extent of pathology. Arthroscopic repair of panlabral tears produces good to excellent outcomes and a low rate of recurrent instability at short-term follow-up, both when performed in the beach chair position and in the lateral decubitus position. Surgical positioning, therefore, should be based on surgeon preference.

The value of artificial neural networks for predicting length of stay, discharge disposition, and inpatient costs after anatomic and reverse shoulder arthroplasty.

HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: The objective is to develop and validate an artificial intelligence model, specifically an artificial neural network (ANN), to predict length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition, and inpatient charges for primary anatomic total (aTSA), reverse total (rTSA), and hemi- (HSA) shoulder arthroplasty to establish internal validity in predicting patient-specific value metrics. METHODS: Using data from the National Inpatient Sample between 2003 and 2014, 4 different ANN models to predict LOS, discharge disposition, and inpatient costs using 39 preoperative variables were developed based on diagnosis and arthroplasty type: primary chronic/degenerative aTSA, primary chronic/degenerative rTSA, primary traumatic/acute rTSA, and primary acute/traumatic HSA. Models were also combined into diagnosis type only. Outcome metrics included accuracy and area under the curve (AUC) for a receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: A total of 111,147 patients undergoing primary shoulder replacement were included. The machine learning algorithm predicting the overall chronic/degenerative conditions model (aTSA, rTSA) achieved accuracies of 76.5%, 91.8%, and 73.1% for total cost, LOS, and disposition, respectively; AUCs were 0.75, 0.89, and 0.77 for total cost, LOS, and disposition, respectively. The overall acute/traumatic conditions model (rTSA, HSA) had accuracies of 70.3%, 79.1%, and 72.0% and AUCs of 0.72, 0.78, and 0.79 for total cost, LOS, and discharge disposition, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our ANN demonstrated fair to good accuracy and reliability for predicting inpatient cost, LOS, and discharge disposition in shoulder arthroplasty for both chronic/degenerative and acute/traumatic conditions. Machine learning has the potential to preoperatively predict costs, LOS, and disposition using patient-specific data for expectation management between health care providers, patients, and payers.

Editorial Commentary: In Search of the Optimal Diagnostic Tool for Periprosthetic Joint Infections of the Shoulder.

A number of perioperative diagnostic tests are currently available to evaluate for the presence of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in painful shoulder arthroplasties. However, data on the utility of these tests are more limited in the shoulder, with worse diagnostic performance compared with the evaluation of hip and knee PJI because of the low virulence of the commonly cultured shoulder organisms, such as Cutibacterium acnes. Diagnostic arthroscopy with culturing of arthroscopic tissue samples may allow for a more definitive diagnosis and treatment planning in patients with shoulder PJI prior to revision shoulder arthroplasty, but data on the efficacy of this procedure have been limited.

Tear characteristics and surgeon influence repair technique and suture anchor use in repair of superior-posterior rotator cuff tendon tears.

BACKGROUND: The factors that associate with surgical decisions about repair technique and the number of suture anchors used in rotator cuff repair have not been previously investigated. This study investigated the extent to which patient, surgeon, and surgical factors associate with performing single-row vs. double-row repair technique and ultimately with the number of suture anchors used. METHODS: Our institution's prospective surgical cohort was queried for patients undergoing suture anchor repair of superior-posterior rotator cuff tendon tears between February 2015 and August 2017. Exclusion criteria were patients with isolated subscapularis tears, tears that were not repaired, repairs without suture anchors, repairs involving graft augmentation, and repairs by surgeons with fewer than 10 cases. Multivariable statistical modeling was used to investigate associations between patient and surgical factors and the choice of repair technique and number of suture anchors used. RESULTS: A total of 925 cases performed by 13 surgeons met inclusion criteria. Tear type (full thickness), tear size (medium, large, and massive), a greater number of torn tendons, repair type (arthroscopic), and surgeon were significantly associated with performing a double-row over a single-row repair. Tear size, a greater number of torn tendons, double-row repair technique, and surgeon were significantly associated with a greater number of anchors used for repair. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that in the absence of data to conclusively support a clinical benefit of one repair technique over another, surgeons' training, experience, and inherent practice patterns become the primary factors that define their surgical methods.

Comparison of radiographic and clinical outcomes of revision reverse total shoulder arthroplasty with structural versus nonstructural bone graft.

BACKGROUND: Revision shoulder arthroplasty in the setting of glenoid bone loss poses substantial surgical challenges. This study's purpose was to compare radiographic and clinical results of patients requiring structural iliac crest bone autograft (ICBA) for severe bone loss versus patients with less severe bone loss treated with nonstructural bone allograft (NSBA) in the setting of revision reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). METHODS: A retrospective cohort of 30 patients (70% of the 43 patients who met the inclusion criteria) undergoing revision RSA with ICBA (n = 15) or NSBA (n = 15) between 2007 and 2015 were analyzed at a minimum 2-year follow-up. Radiographic assessment included bone graft integration, bone graft resorption, glenosphere tilt, glenosphere version, and the presence of scapular notching. Clinical assessment included active range of motion, Penn Shoulder Score, Veterans RAND 12-item health survey, and need for revision surgery. RESULTS: No radiographic difference was found between the ICBA and NSBA groups with regard to implant position, graft integration, scapular notching, implant shift, or failure of fixation (P > .05). Of 15 patients with ICBA, 14 (93%) had at least partial integration of the bone graft. Some degree of resorption of the bone graft was noted in 6 of 15 patients (40%). There was no significant difference in postoperative active range of motion, Penn Shoulder Score, or Veterans RAND 12-item health survey score (P > .05 for all comparisons). One patient in the ICBA group underwent revision surgery for glenoid baseplate failure. CONCLUSION: Revision RSA with glenoid bone grafting resulted in good clinical and radiographic outcomes at short-term follow-up. Patients requiring structural ICBA were not at increased risk of component failure, radiographic or clinical complications, or inferior clinical outcomes.

Validity and efficiency of a smartphone-based electronic data collection tool for operative data in rotator cuff repair.

BACKGROUND: This study tested validity and efficiency of Orthopaedic Minimal Data Set (OrthoMiDaS) Episode of Care (OME). METHODS: We analyzed 100 isolated rotator cuff repair cases in the OME database. Surgeons completed a traditional operative note and OME report. A blinded reviewer extracted data from operative notes and implant logs in electronic medical records by manual chart review. OME and electronic medical record data were compared with data counts and agreement between 40 variables of rotator cuff disease and repair procedures. Data counts were assessed using raw percentages and McNemar test (with continuity correction). Agreement of categorical variables was analyzed using Cohen κ (unweighted) and of numerical variables using the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC). Efficiency was assessed by median time to complete. RESULTS: OME database had significantly higher data counts for 25% (10/40) of variables. A high level of proportional and statistical agreement was demonstrated between the data. Among 35 categorical variables, proportional agreement was perfect for 17%, almost perfect (0.81 ≤ κ ≤ 1.00) for 37%, substantial (0.61 ≤ κ ≤ 0.80) for 20%, moderate (0.41 ≤ κ ≤ 0.60) for 14%, fair (0.21 ≤ κ ≤ 0.40) for 6%, and slight (0.0 ≤ κ ≤ 0.20) for 6%. Of 5 numerical variables, agreement was almost perfect (CCC > 0.99) for 20% and poor (CCC < 0.90) for 80%. Median OME completion time was 161.5 seconds (interquartile range, 116-224.5). CONCLUSION: OME is an efficient, valid tool for collecting comprehensive, standardized data on rotator cuff repair.