Rotator Cuff Tears, Repairs, and Shoulder Arthroplasties Among Workers' Compensation Claimants: A 16-Year Longitudinal Study at a National Workers' Compensation Insurance Carrier.

BACKGROUND

Rotator cuff repair (RCR) is increasingly being performed for both acute traumatic and degenerative tears of the rotator cuff, whereas total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is reserved for osteonecrosis of the humeral head, arthritis of the glenohumeral joint, and failed RCR.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the incidence and patient characteristics of rotator cuff tears (RCTs), RCRs, and TSAs among workers' compensation claimants.

METHODS

A total of 8347 RCTs indemnity claims filed to Accident Fund Group from 2007 to 2022 were studied.

RESULTS

Over the study period, the percentages of RCTs increased from 41% to 65% among shoulder injury indemnity claimants, RCRs increased from 88% to 92% of RCTs, and TSAs increased from 1% to 5%.

CONCLUSIONS

RCT, RCR, and TSA have increased dramatically among workers' compensation claimants, with age of the injured worker being the primary determinant of the increase.