Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2025
Measuring 3D In-vivo Shoulder Kinematics using Biplanar Videoradiography
Published on: March 12, 2021
Rotator Cuff Tears, Repairs, and Shoulder Arthroplasties Among Workers' Compensation Claimants: A 16-Year
Dan L Hunt1, Edward J Bernacki, Nicholas F Tsourmas
1From the AF Group, Lansing, MI (D.L.H.); Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland (E.J.B., N.F.T., N.K., L.Y., N.L., X.G.T.); General Electric, Norwalk, CT (N.K.); Texas Mutual, Workers' Compensation Insurance, Austin, Texas (N.F.T., N.L.); University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (J.G.-M.); and Ortho, Creve Coeur, Missouri (P.M.).
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.
