Travel distance does not affect outcomes after total shoulder arthroplasty

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of travel distance on achieving the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) on all three commonly used patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for the shoulder more than 1 year following total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA).

Patients undergoing reverse or anatomic TSA at a high-volume tertiary referral center between September 2016 and August 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 groups: driving distance of >50 miles from the location of surgery (referral group) and driving distance of <50 miles (local group). Scores on preoperative and postoperative PROMs, including American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score, and Constant Score (CS) at minimum 1-year follow-up were assessed. Chi-square analysis was used to analyze the achievement of MCID on any PROM or a combination of PROMs. Logistic regression was performed to determine whether travel distance and other variables of interest had an effect on achieving MCID on all three PROMs.

A total of 214 patients with minimum 1-year follow-up were included in the final analysis. Of these, 165 patients (77.1%) traveled <50 miles to their orthopedic provider at the time of surgery. The local group demonstrated significantly inferior preoperative SANE scores (P < .001) and significantly higher postoperative ASES scores (P = .001). A total of 166 (77%) patients achieved all three MCIDs postoperatively. There was no significant difference between distance groups for achievement of all MCIDs (P = .328). On multivariable regression, body mass index > 30 (odds ratio [OR], 5.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.53-30.28), worker's compensation status (OR, 16.78; 95% CI, 2.34-161.39), and higher preoperative ASES score (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.07) were associated with an increased risk of failure to achieve all MCIDs (P < .05). Age, adjusted gross income, private insurance, and travel distance were not significantly associated with failure to achieve all MCIDs.

After controlling for age, sex, and adjusted gross income, distance traveled to a high-volume referral center did not have an effect on achieving the MCID on all three commonly used PROMs for the shoulder at least 1 year after undergoing TSA. Elevated body mass index, worker's compensation status, and higher preoperative ASES score were associated with an increased risk of failure to achieve all MCIDs after TSA.