Cost of shoulder surgery.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Health Economics

Background:

• Shoulder procedures are common, but patient and payer costs vary significantly.
• Understanding the direct financial implications of different surgical approaches is crucial for healthcare decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a cost analysis of four prevalent shoulder surgical procedures.
• To provide data for patients, payers, and future cost-benefit analyses.
• To inform decision-making in the evolving healthcare landscape.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study evaluating 200 patients (50 per group) undergoing distinct shoulder procedures.
• Procedures included: open rotator cuff repair, open anterior instability repair, arthroscopic subacromial decompression, and shoulder arthroplasty (hemiarthroplasty or total).
• Data collected encompassed surgical, anesthetic, hospital, and consultation fees to determine total direct costs.

Main Results:

• Average costs were: open rotator cuff repair ($9444), open instability repair ($8675), arthroscopic decompression ($7246), and shoulder arthroplasty ($16,323).
• Average lengths of stay varied from 0 days (decompression) to 5 days (arthroplasty).
• Patient demographics and insurance types (worker's compensation, private, Medicare) differed across procedure groups.

Conclusions:

• Significant cost variations exist among common shoulder surgical procedures.
• The findings offer essential direct cost data for shoulder surgery in a private healthcare setting.
• This information supports informed financial planning for patients and healthcare providers.