Trends in the surgical treatment of posterior shoulder instability in the United States from 2016 to 2020

Abstract

Background The purpose of this study was to describe trends in the incidence of open versus arthroscopic management of posterior shoulder instability (PSI) as well as the patients undergoing these procedures in the United States over time. Methods The PearlDiver Patient Records Database was utilized for this study. Cases of PSI and surgery were identified via the appropriate ICD-10-CM and CPT codes. Linear regression and two-sample Student's t-test were used to analyze incidence rates, procedure type, number of instability events, and patient age. Results A total of 5655 patients were identified as having PSI, undergoing a total of 686 capsulorraphies. The incidence of PSI treated surgically increased across the years of the study at a rate of 0.0293 per 100,000 person-years with an incidence in 2019–2020 greater than in 2016–2018 ( p = 0.0151). Patients undergoing arthroscopic capsulorrhaphy were on average younger than those undergoing open capsulorrhaphy ( p = 0.0021). Patients experienced a higher number of posterior instability events before open surgery compared to arthroscopic ( p = 0.0274). Discussion The incidence of surgical treatment of PSI in the United States is steadily rising, with greater than 90% of cases being treated arthroscopically. Those undergoing arthroscopic posterior stabilization are both younger and face fewer instability events prior to surgery.