Ella Boivin
Research Mentor(s): Andrea Rusnak
Mentor Department: MM Orthopaedic Surgery
Authors: Ella Boivin, Andrea Rusnak, Bruce Miller
Session: Session 4 (1:00pm – 1:50pm)
Presentation Type: Poster 39
Abstract
Glenohumeral arthritis is a condition that causes degeneration of the cartilage in the shoulder joint, often causing discomfort and limited mobility. When used to treat glenohumeral arthritis, anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), which is used when the rotator cuff is too damaged to be repaired, contribute to prolonged improvements in pain, mobility, and function of the affected shoulder for the majority of patients. However, there is insufficient evidence as to which surgical method obtains these results the fastest. This study aimed to investigate and compare the recovery timelines and patient satisfaction of primary TSA and RSA procedures, focusing on patients receiving surgery due to glenohumeral arthritis, to determine which method achieves optimal results. Constant Scores and survey data from the Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder (WOOS) and the Single Answer Numeric Assessment (SANE) surveys were collected and analyzed along various time points (pre-operative, post-operatively at 9 weeks, 26 weeks, 1 year, and 2 years) for patients with primary TSA (n=27 ) or RSA (n=24 ) with a minimum of 1-year postoperative follow-up. The Constant Score and survey scores, focusing on physical symptoms and the patient’s reported feeling of normalcy in their shoulder, were compared between the two respective groups (TSA or RSA), finding mean measurements throughout each timepoint and surgical approach and finding the percent of increase to determine which approach results in increased patient satisfaction at the earliest timepoint—ultimately determining the most efficient surgical approach when focusing on patient satisfaction related to physical improvement. TSA and RSA groups showed improved Constant Scores, WOOS, and SANE scores at the 1-year timepoint. The results showed a greater improvement in WOOS and SANE scores for the TSA group, while showing greater improvements in the Constant Scores for the RSA group. Analysis is still being done, so a precise p-value cannot be applied, however it can be predicted that it would not be significant due to the small sample size. Further studies may help recognize which surgical approach has a more significant recovery, and also help recognize discrepancies between the two approaches and specific areas of recovery. This information may help future patients by focusing on the areas showing gaps in recovery and patient satisfaction between the two groups and finding ways to mitigate these disparities.
