Reassessing the minimum two-year follow-up standard after total shoulder arthroplasty—Is one year sufficient?. (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mahendraraj, Kuhan A; Carducci, Michael P; Galvin, Joseph W; Golenbock, Samuel W; Grubhofer, Florian; Jawa, Andrew
• Is Part Of: Shoulder & elbow. Volume 13:Number 5(2021)
• Page Start: 527
• Page End: 533
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty -- reverse total shoulder arthroplasty -- patient-reported outcomes -- range of motion -- minimum follow-up -- timeline of recovery; Elbow -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Elbow -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Shoulder -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Shoulder -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Shoulder -- Periodicals; Elbow -- Periodicals; Shoulder Joint -- Periodicals; Elbow Joint -- Periodicals; 617.572005
• DOI: 10.1177/1758573220922845
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-5732

Abstract

Background: US Food and Drug Administration Investigation Device Exemption studies and academic journals emphasize the importance of two-year follow-up data in reporting outcomes of total shoulder arthroplasty, but there is limited data evaluating appropriate follow-up length. We aim to evaluate change in postoperative outcomes and complications between one and two years following anatomic and reverse total shoulder arthroplasties. Methods: We retrospectively identified 250 patients who underwent anatomic and reverse total shoulder arthroplasties between 2013 and 2016 from a single surgeon arthroplasty registry. Patients without both one- and two-year follow-up data were excluded. We compared American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Visual Analog Scale for pain, and goniometer-measured range of motion. Results: Patient-reported outcome measurements ( p > 0.05) did not change between one and two years postoperatively following both reverse ( n = 146) and anatomic ( n = 104) total shoulder arthroplasties. Range of motion increased slightly ( p < 0.05), but this change was not clinically relevant. There were no additional complications. Discussion: Minimum two-year clinical follow-up may not be necessary for future shoulder arthroplasty Investigation Device Exemption and other peer-reviewed investigations. Patient-reported outcomes (ASES and pain score) and range of motion plateau at one year postoperatively without additional complications. One-year follow-up is an acceptable minimum follow-up length. Level of evidence: Level III—retrospective analysis.