The purpose of this prospective pilot study is to examine the feasibility of a physiotherapist led rapid access shoulder screening clinic (RASC). The goal of this study is to assess for improvements in patient access to care, patient reported outcome measures, patient reported experience measures, and cost outcomes using time driven activity based costing methods. Patient recruitment began in January 2021. Consultation requests from general practitioners and emergency rooms are analyzed and triaged through a central system. One half of patients awaiting consultation were triaged to the traditional route used at our center while the other half were triaged to be assessed at the RASC. Outcome measures consisting of the Simple Shoulder Test and SF-12 were recorded at the initial consultation and at follow up appointments. Cost benefit analysis was conducted using time driven activity based costing methods (TD-ABC). From January to August of 2021, 123 new patients were triaged for RASC assessment. On average, the RASC gets 10 new referrals per month. As of September 2021, there are 65 patients still on waitlist for RASC assessment with 58 having been assessed. Of the 58, 11% were discharged through the RASC, 48% pursued private physiotherapy, 14% had injections, 19% proceeded on for surgical consultation, and 8% did not show. Over time same time period, approximately 15 new patients were seen in consultation by the surgeon's office. Thirty-five responses were obtained from RASC patients during their initial intake assessment. The average age of respondents was 54.7 with 21 females and 14 males. Median SF-12 scores in the physical dimension (PCS-12) for RASC patients were 36.82 and mental (MCS-12) 49.38927. Median Simple Shoulder Test scores measured 6. Of the patients who responded to the follow up questionnaires after completing physiotherapy at the RASC, both the SF-12 and Simple Shoulder Test scoring improved. Median PCS-12 measured 47.08, MCS-12 of 55.87, and Simple Shoulder Test measured 8. RASC assessments by PT saved $172.91 per hour for consultation and $157.97 per hour for patient follow ups. Utilization of a physiotherapy led rapid access shoulder clinic resulted in improvements in patient outcomes as measured by the SF-12 and Simple Shoulder Test as well as significant direct cost savings. Proper triage protocols to identify which patients would be suitable for RASC assessment, buy-in from physiotherapists, and timely assessment of patients for early initiation of rehabilitation for shoulder pain is paramount to the success of a RASC system at our centre. Future research direction would be geared to analyzing a larger dataset as it becomes available

Aim. Clavicular osteotomy was described as an adjunct to deltopectoral approach for improved exposure of the glenohumeral joint. This study aims to present contemporary outcomes and complications associated with the routine use of clavicular osteotomy by a single surgeon in a regional setting within New Zealand. Methods. A retrospective case series of patients who have undergone any shoulder arthroplasty for any indication between March 2017 to August 2022. This time period includes all patients who had clavicular osteotomy(OS) and patients over an equal time period prior to the routine use of osteotomy as a reference group (N-OS). Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) and a Simple Shoulder Test (STT) were used to assess functional outcomes and were compared with the reported literature. Operative times and Complications were reviewed. Results. 66 patients were included in the study. 33 patients in the OS group and 33 in the N-OS group. No difference in age, sex, indications for operative intervention and the surgery provided was identified. No significant difference in operative time between groups (N-OS 121 minutes; OS 128 minutes). No clinically significant difference was identified in the OSS (N-OS; mean 38 vs OS 39) or the STT (N-OS 8.3 vs OS 9). The outcomes scores of both groups are in keeping with published literature. Two post operative clavicle fractures, one prominent surgical knot occurred in the OS that required further surgical intervention. Two cases of localized pain over the clavicle and one case of the prominent lateral clavicle were reported in the OS group. Two cases of localized pain over clavicle reported in the N-OS group. Conclusion. Use of clavicular osteotomy is not associated with inferior patient reported. The osteotomy introduces specific risks, however, the study provides evidence that these complications are infrequent and avoidable. Surgeons should feel confident in using this adjunct when exposure to the shoulder is difficult

Background. The purpose of this study was to determine if thresholds regarding the percentage of maximal improvement in the Simple Shoulder Test (SST) and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (ASES) score exist that predict “excellent” patient s­atisfaction (PS) following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). Methods. Patients undergoing RSA using a single implant system were evaluated pre-operatively and at a minimum 2-year follow-up. Receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) curve analysis determined thresholds to predict “excellent” PS by evaluating the percentage of maximal improvement for SST and ASES. Pre-operative factors were analyzed as independent predictors for achieving SST and ASES thresholds. Results. 198 (SST) and 196 (ASES) patients met inclusion criteria. For SST and ASES, ROC analysis identified 61.3% (p<.001) and 68.2% (p<.001) maximal improvement as the threshold for maximal predictability of “excellent” satisfaction respectively. Significant positive correlation between the percentage of maximum score achieved and “excellent” PS for both groups were found (r=.440, p<.001 for SST score; r=0.417, p<.001 for ASES score). Surgery on the dominant hand, greater baseline VAS Pain, and cuff arthropathy were independent predictors for achieving the SST and ASES threshold. Conclusion. Achievement of 61.3% of maximal SST score improvement and 68.3% of maximal ASES score improvement represent thresholds for the achievement of “excellent” satisfaction following RSA. Independent predictors of achieving these thresholds were dominant sided surgery and higher baseline pain VAS scores for SST, and rotator cuff arthropathy for ASES. Keywords. Percentage of maximal improvement; Predictors; American Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Score; Simply Shoulder Test; Reverse shoulder Arthroplasty; Satisfaction. Level of Evidence. Level III

A reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is frequently performed in the revision setting. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical outcomes and complication rates following revision RSA (RRSA) stratified according to the primary shoulder procedure undergoing revision, including failed hemiarthroplasty (HA), anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), RSA, soft tissue repair (i.e., rotator cuff repair), and open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). A systematic review of the literature was performed using four databases (EMBASE, Medline, SportDISCUS, and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register) between January 1985 and September 2017. The primary outcomes of interest included active range-of-motion (ROM), pain, and functional outcome measures including the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score (ASES), Simple Shoulder Test (SST), and Constant-Murley (CS) Score. Secondary outcomes included complication rates, such as infection, dislocation, perioperative fracture, base plate failure, neurovascular injury, soft tissue injury, and radiological evidence of scapular notching. Clinical outcome data was assessed for differences between preoperative and postoperative results and complication results were reported as pooled complication rates. Forty-five studies met the inclusion criteria for analysis, which included 1,016 shoulder arthroplasties with a mean follow-up of 45.2 months (range, 31.1 to 57.2 months) (Fig. 1). The mean patient age at revision was 60.2 years (range, 36 to 65.2 years). Overall, RSA as a revision procedure for failed HA revealed favorable outcomes with respect to forward elevation (FE), CS pain, ASES, SST, and CS outcome assessment scores, with mean improvements of 52.5° ± 21.8° (P = < 0 .001), 6.41 ± 4.01 SD (P = 0.031), 20.1 ± 21.5 (P = 0.02), 5.2 ± 8.7 (P = 0.008), and 30.7 ± 9.4 (P = < 0 .001), respectively. RSA performed as a revision procedure for failed TSA demonstrated an improvement in the CS outcome score (33.8 ± 12.4, P = 0.016). RSA performed as a revision procedure for failed soft tissue repair demonstrated significant improvements in FE (60.2° ± 21.2°, P = 0.031) and external rotation (20.8° ± 18°, P = 0.016), respectively. Lastly, RSA performed as a revision procedure for failed ORIF revealed favorable outcomes in FE (61° ± 20.2°, P = 0.031). There were no significant differences noted in RSA performed as a revision procedure for failed RSA, or when performed for a failed TSA, soft tissue repair, and ORIF in any other outcome of interest. Pooled complication rates were found to be highest in failed RSA (10.9%), followed by soft tissue repair (7.1%), HA (6.8%), TSA (5.4%) and ORIF (4.7%). When compared to other revision indications, RRSA for failed HA demonstrated the most favorable outcomes, with significant improvements in ROM, pain, and in several outcome assessments. Complication rates were determined and stratified as per the index procedure undergoing RRSA, patients undergoing revision of a failed RSA were found to have the highest complication rates. With this additional information, orthopaedic surgeons will be better equipped to provide preoperative education regarding the risks, benefits and complication rates to those patients undergoing a RRSA. For any figures or tables, please contact authors directly

Introduction. The impact of prior ipsilateral shoulder surgery on outcomes following total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of prior shoulder surgery on patients undergoing TSA and RSA compared to patients without prior shoulder surgery. The hypothesis was that patients undergoing arthroplasty after prior ipsilateral shoulder surgery would have inferior outcomes with higher complication rates compared to patients undergoing arthroplasty without having undergone prior surgery. Materials and Methods. Seven-hundred fifteen consecutive patients undergoing TSA or RSA between 1/2010 and 5/2014 with a minimum 2-year follow-up were prospectively analyzed. All patients were evaluated with the American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES), Simple Shoulder Test (SST), Functional Score, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) outcomes assessments, as well as with physical examination including range of motion assessments. Outcomes in patients undergoing prior ipsilateral shoulder surgery (PS group) were compared to those in patients without history of prior surgery (NPS group). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way univariate and multivariate analysis of covariates (ANCOVA/MANCOVA) adjusting for age, Whitney-Mann U tests, and Chi-square or Fisher's exact test, with P<0.05 considered significant. Results. Of the 715 patients, 506 (263 TSA, 243 RSA) were available for analysis (71% follow-up rate). A total of 144 patients (29%) underwent an average of 2.0±1.1 ipsilateral shoulder surgeries, prior to arthroplasty while 362 (71%) did not undergo prior surgery. In the PS Group, rotator cuff repair (RCR) accounted for 67% of the prior surgeries. PS group patients were significantly younger at the time of arthroplasty compared to the NPS group (61.6±10.2 vs. 68.2±8.6 years, P=0.035). At an average follow-up of 42.8±16.4 months, both groups had significant improvements in ASES, SST, and VAS outcomes scores and range of motion values (P<0.05 for all). All outcomes scores in the PS group were significantly lower compared to the NPS group (P≤0.005 for all). Within the PS group, there were no significant differences detected in outcome scores or magnitudes of change in outcomes between patients undergoing RCR or any other procedure. There were 41 total complications (8.1%) and 17 total reoperations (3.4%) following shoulder arthroplasty, and there was a significantly higher rate of complications in the PS Group (18.1%) versus the NPS Group (4.1%, P<0.001). There were no significant differences between the PS and NPS groups with respect to the number of postoperative infections (P=0.679), reoperations (P=0.553), or transfusions (P=0.220). Conclusions. While patients who have undergone prior ipsilateral shoulder surgery derive benefit from shoulder arthroplasty, these patients are significantly younger, have significantly more complications, and their magnitude of improvement and final scores are significantly lower than patients without prior surgery. This information can be used to counsel this challenging patient population on expected outcomes following shoulder arthroplasty procedures

Background:. The use of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) has been increasing around the world. However, because of concerns over lack of internal rotation with the reverse prosthesis and the resultant difficulties with activities of daily living (ADLs), many have recommended against performing bilateral RTSA. Methods:. We performed a retrospective review of prospectively obtained clinical data on 15 consecutive patients (30 shoulders) that underwent staged bilateral primary RTSA for the diagnosis of cuff tear arthropathy (CTA) between 2004 and 2012. All operations were performed by a single surgeon. The mean follow-up was 29.6 months from the second RTSA (range 12–65 months). The mean age of the patients at the time of the first operation was 72.9 years (range 63–79 years), and the mean duration between arthroplasties was 21.6 months (range 8–50 months). Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and yearly with standardized clinical exams and outcome measures questionnaires including Constant, ASES, UCLA, Simple Shoulder Test, SPADI, and SF-12 scores. Results:. On both operative sides, elevation showed significant improvement from preoperative values (p = 0.002 and p = 0.021); however, external rotation, abduction, and internal rotation did not show significant differences at an average follow-up of 29.6 months. The SPADI, Constant, ASES, UCLA, and SST scores of both RTSA shoulders showed significant improvement from preoperative values (p ≤ 0.001 for all scores); however, the SF-12 scores on either shoulder did not show significant improvement. Evaluation of the outcome measures questionnaire revealed that all 15 patients in the cohort were able to perform perineal hygiene after their reverse arthroplasty. Conclusions:. Bilateral RTSA results in marked improvement in forward elevation, pain, and functional outcomes, and carries a high rate of satisfaction in subjective patient assessment. In addition, common ADLs that require significant internal rotation, such as perineal care, were not problematic in the patients studied

Purpose. Reverse shoulder prosthesis may lead to scapular notching, caused by attrition of the upper humeral component with scapular neck. We compared the clinical and radiographic results obtained with a SMR prosthesis, which allows a concentric or an eccentric glenosphere to be applied. Patients and methods. 67 patients, mean age 73 years, were treated with reverse prosthesis using concentric and eccentric glenosphere. In patients with concentric glenosphere, the glenosphere extended about 4 mm below the glenoid. The eccentric glenosphere protected the upper glenoid neck by its inferior prolongment. Patients were followed for a mean of 33 months. At final F-U the Constant Score (C.S.) and the score with the Simple Shoulder test (S.S.T.) were calculated. Radiographs were obtained to evaluate the presence of scapular notching, psna (prosthesis-scapular neck angle), pgrd (peg- glenoid rim distance) and DBSNG (distance between scapular neck and glenosfere). Included in this study were patients, as much homogeneous as possible by age and pathology, 25 with concentric (Group I) and 30 with eccentric (Group II) glenosphere, who had a minimum F-U of 24 months. Statistical analysis was performed with a paired test. Results. 25 patients of group I and 26 in group II were available for the study. In Group I mean elevation improved from 78° to 122° and mean abduction from 71° to 98°; in Group II from 66° to 148° and 60° to 115°. External and internal rotations were similar in both groups. 14 (56%) patients of Group I, and none of Group II had scapular notching (p<0.001). CS increased from 38 pt to 69 pt in Group I and from 30 pt to 74 pt in Group II. Conclusions. Low implantation of glenosphere did not eliminate scapular notching. Instead, no notching was detected with eccentric glenosphere, which also increased the ROM. The PSNA, DBSNG, PGRD are reliable measures to predict scapular notching

The reverse ball and socket shoulder replacement, employing a humeral socket and glenosphere, has revolutionized the treatment of patients with arthritis and rotator cuff insufficiency. The RSP (DjO Surgical, Inc., Austin, Texas) is one such device, characterized by a lateral center of rotation and approved for use in the United States since 2004. Multiple studies by the implant design team have documented excellent outcomes and low revision rates for the RSP, but other published outcomes data are relatively sparse. The objective of this study is to report on the complications and early outcomes in the first consecutive 60 RSPs implanted in 57 patients by a single shoulder replacement surgeon between 2004 and 2010. Forty-four patients were female and mean age at the time of reverse shoulder arthroplasty was 75 years (range 54 to 92 years). The RSP was used as a primary arthroplasty in 42 shoulders and to revise a failed prosthetic shoulder arthroplasty in 18 shoulders. During the study period, 365 shoulder replacements were implanted so that the RSP was used selectively, accounting for only 17% of all shoulder arthroplasties (8.4% for 2004-2007, 24.2% for 2008-2010). Most patients had pseudoparalysis and profound shoulder dysfunction so that mean pre-operative active forward elevation was to 45°, active abduction to 43°, active internal rotation to the buttock, and the mean pre-operative Simple Shoulder Test (SST) score was 1 out of 12. At final follow-up, mean active forward elevation had improved to 101° (p<0.0001), active abduction to 91° (p<0.0001), active internal rotation to the lumbosacral junction (p<0.001), and the mean final SST score was 7 out of 12. There were 16 complications in 14 patients, including 7 reoperations in 6 patients (11%): 3 closed reductions for dislocation, 2 open revisions for instability and for a dissociated liner in the same patient, one evacuation of a hematoma, and one open reduction and internal fixation of a post-operative scapular spine fracture. Two additional scapular spine or acromion fractures and one acromioclavicular joint separation developed postoperatively that impacted outcome adversely but did not require re-operation. None of the glenoid baseplates or humeral stems has been revised and no deep infections have occurred. Experience with reverse shoulder arthroplasty appears to influence the reoperation rate, as 3 of the reoperations occurred following the first 15 reverse shoulder arthroplasties. Overall improvements in active motion and self-assessed shoulder function were comparable to those reported previously. Final active motion results were somewhat lower than those reported previously, which may relate to the selection of predominately pseudoparalytic patients for reverse shoulder arthroplasty in this series. Use of the RSP device for reverse shoulder arthroplasty leads to improved motion and function in carefully selected older patients with pseudoparalysis or a failed shoulder replacement. Re-operations and complications occur but the learning curve may not be as steep as previously reported. This may relate to specific features of the implant system used in this series, as well as to surgeon experience