These authors sought to identify the medical relevance and cost-benefit of routine radiographs after primary anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). They reviewed 160 consecutive patients undergoing anatomic TSA by an individual fellowship-trained surgeon who ordered radiographs obtained at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 4 months, and 1 year postoperatively.
The authors reviewed the clinic notes to determine if a change in postoperative care occurred as a result of radiographic findings. Cost data and amount billed were obtained.
Patients underwent radiography at 1.8 ± 0.2 weeks, 6.5 ± 1.2 weeks, 14.9 ± 2.9 weeks, and 46.8 ± 19.5 weeks postoperatively. Findings on the radiologist’s reading were normal/unremarkable for 100.0%, 96.8%, 95.9%, and 95.2%, respectively, at each visit.
Review of the radiographs yielded no change in management based on these parameters. The amount billed for radiographs was $284,281 ($1776.76 per patient).
Comment: This study is a model for considering the value of tests that are ordered. The key question is the one posed: how often does the test obtained change the management of the patient?
This is indeed the question we asked in this post:
Preoperative imaging of the glenoid - what information is needed? In that post we raise similar questions regarding the utility of routine preoperative CT scans.
Comment: This study is a model for considering the value of tests that are ordered. The key question is the one posed: how often does the test obtained change the management of the patient?
This is indeed the question we asked in this post:
Preoperative imaging of the glenoid - what information is needed? In that post we raise similar questions regarding the utility of routine preoperative CT scans.
===
Use the "Search" box to the right to find other topics of interest to you.
You may be interested in some of our most visited web pages including:shoulder arthritis, total shoulder, ream and run, reverse total shoulder, CTA arthroplasty, and rotator cuff surgery as well as the 'ream and run essentials'
You may be interested in some of our most visited web pages including:shoulder arthritis, total shoulder, ream and run, reverse total shoulder, CTA arthroplasty, and rotator cuff surgery as well as the 'ream and run essentials'
