Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 27, 2026
The Transition to an Anterior-Based Muscle Sparing Approach Improves Early Postoperative Function but is Associated with a Learning Curve
Published on: September 7, 2022
Effect of Age on Outcomes of Shoulder Arthroplasty
Oke A Anakwenze1, Tameem Yehyawi2, Mark T Dillon3
1Orthopedist at Olympus Orthopedics Medical Group in San Diego, CA. oaa@olympusortho.com.
Context:
Outcomes of total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) as a function of age are not well known.
Objective:
To understand the effects of age on revision rate, mortality, and hospital readmissions.
Design:
A retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected data. Using an integrated health care system's shoulder arthroplasty registry, we identified patients who underwent TSA and RTSA between January 2007 and June 2012. Patients were grouped into older (> 75 years) and younger groups (≤ 75 years).
Main Outcome Measures:
Differences in outcomes between both age groups.
Results:
The TSA cohort had 2007 patients, and 538 (26.8%) were older than age 75 years. Older patients who underwent TSA had higher risks of 1-year mortality (2.0% vs 0.6%; odds ratio = 3.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00-11.11, p = 0.049) and readmission within 90 days (7.6% vs 4.4%; odds ratio = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.17-2.63, p = 0.007). The RTSA cohort had 568 patients, and 295 (51.9%) of them were older than age 75 years. Older RTSA patients had a lower risk of revision (3.7% vs 8.1%; hazard ratio = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.24-0.89, p = 0.020).
Conclusion:
Patient age is one of many important variables that surgeons should consider when performing shoulder arthroplasty. However, the impact of age in the TSA and RTSA populations is different. In the TSA cohort, older patients have higher risk of readmission and mortality. In the RTSA cohort, older patients have lower risk of revision.
Related Concept Videos
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:27Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
01:22Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption
01:00Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution