Trends in total shoulder arthroplasty utilization and implant pricing

Abstract

Background

Total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is the third most common total joint replacement procedure in the United States, with high rates of success and cost-effectiveness. As indications continue to expand, anatomic TSA (aTSA), reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), and hemiarthroplasty are available procedures for treating patients with varying end-stage shoulder pathologies. While previous studies have documented trends in overall costs and reimbursements in TSA, there is limited information regarding recent trends in implant utilization, pricing, and procedure type. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze trends in implant and technology utilization for TSA in the United States between 2013 and 2022 to inform decision-making and improve clinical best practices.

Methods

Utilization trends and average implant prices between 2013 and 2022 were extracted from Orthopedic Network News, the largest publicly available implant registry. All costs and prices were adjusted for inflation. Trends were analyzed using linear regressions.

Results

Averages and nationwide estimates for 2022 were based off 7339 shoulder cases from 117 US hospitals. RSA significantly increased from 40% in 2013 to 72% of all shoulder arthroplasties in 2022 (β = 4.18; P < .001), whereas aTSA significantly decreased from 43% to 20% (β = −0.34; P < .001), and hemiarthroplasty significantly decreased from 10% to 1% (β = −1.07; P < .001). Other types of procedures, such as revisions and shoulder resurfacings, constituted 7%. Anatomic constructs showed a rise in stemless humeral component usage from 2% in 2017 to 10% in 2022 (β = 1.4; P < .01). Financially, Medicare physician payment for shoulder surgeries witnessed significant decline from $1882 USD in 2017 to $1428 in 2023 (β = −73; P < .001). The inflation-adjusted cost of aTSA also decreased from $8055 in 2013 to $6223 in 2022 (β = −173.56; P < .01), and RSA from $12,207 to $8882 in 2022 (β = −318.31; P < .001).

Conclusion

Trends in primary TSA procedures feature a growing prevalence of RSA as compared to aTSA, in addition to a rise in stemless humeral implants within aTSA. As both Medicare physician reimbursements and implant prices continue to decrease, it is important for surgeons to consider the tradeoffs of different implant materials and patient-specific technology when performing such procedures.