Clinical utility of immediate postoperative radiographs following uncomplicated primary reverse shoulder arthroplasty

It is common practice to order an immediate postoperative radiograph in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) following reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). However, with a growing emphasis on value-based care and cost-effectiveness, we question the necessity for immediate postoperative radiographs following uncomplicated, primary RSA.

From 2014-2020, patients undergoing primary RSA at a single institution by one of 3 surgeons were included in this cohort. Radiographs from the PACU and any clinic visit during the initial 3-month postoperative period were reviewed to determine if any radiographic findings from the PACU altered clinical care or decision making.

A total of 157 patients were included in this study and 13 patients had abnormal findings during the initial 3-month postoperative period where the immediate postoperative radiograph provided clinical utility for decision making. In 9 of the 12 patients requiring revision surgery, the postoperative complication was instability. In those patients requiring revision surgery during the initial 3 months, the most common indication for primary surgery was proximal humerus nonunion. Immediate postoperative radiographs were read by the radiologist as normal/unremarkable for 100% of patients. The typical amount billed for the immediate postoperative radiograph was $544.00 per patient.

Based on our findings, we see utility for an intraoperative or immediate postoperative radiograph following uncomplicated, primary RSA, especially when done as a salvage procedure for indications such as proximal humerus nonunion. However, there is low utility for obtaining an immediate postoperative radiograph in the PACU when indications include osteoarthritis or rotator cuff tear arthropathy.