New Health Economics Study Highlights Long-Term Benefits of Rotator Cuff Surgery

Understanding the Full Impact of Treatments is Important for Patients with Common Shoulder Injury

ROSEMONT, Ill., Nov. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Each year, close to 2 million people in the United States visit their doctor for shoulder pain associated with a rotator cuff injury. Approximately one-third of rotator cuff tears will require surgery, with the remaining injuries benefiting from nonsurgical treatment including pain medication and rehabilitation exercises. To help physicians determine the best treatment for each patient, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) recently released Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) covering five different treatments for rotator cuff injuries.

For patients who do require surgery, a new study published today in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS) suggests surgical treatment for rotator cuff tears reduces indirect costs, including ability to work and fewer missed work days. The authors of "The Societal and Economic Value of Rotator Cuff Repair," estimate these surgeries result in a lifetime societal savings in the U.S. of approximately $3.44 billion annually.

"A torn rotator cuff will weaken your shoulder and may make daily activities painful and more difficult, but the decision-making process as to when surgery is warranted is not always black and white," said Richard C. Mather, MD, assistant professor, department of orthopaedic surgery at Duke University Medical Center and a study author. "This study and the new appropriate use criteria add tools for both patients and physicians to inform and improve their care both in the short and long terms."

Despite tearing their rotator cuffs, Wesley Linton and Michaela "Pinky" Puno are able to keep doing what they love, work and support their families. Linton, a firefighter in Winston Salem, North Carolina, can rescue victims from fires, complete 50 push-ups with no pain and lift patients needing assistance. Puno, an amateur ballroom dancer, can continue improving her technique, practice two hours a day and dance competitively. Both patients are able to live full lives thanks to the rotator cuff surgery they had to ease their shoulder pain.

The prevalence of rotator cuff tears increases with age and yet, many people desire to stay in the workforce longer, which makes examining the cost-savings of rotator cuff surgeries an important issue. The new study offers a comprehensive look at the societal impact of rotator cuff disease and its treatments. Comparing surgical and non-surgical treatment options, the study's investigators found rotator cuff repair is cost effective across all patient age groups. Additionally, societal savings offset the direct costs of treatment in patients younger than age 61, resulting in an average net savings to society of $13,771 per patient. This number significantly increased to $77,662 for patients younger than 40 years.

"Rotator cuff injuries can affect anyone, but risk increases with age. The societal burden of rotator cuff tears is potentially significant, considering their impact on people's ability to work and remain productive," said Lane Koenig, health economist at KNG Health Consulting and a study author. "Fortunately, what this research enables us to do is quantify this value. It truly offers a new perspective to the body of information available about this condition."  

To conduct the study, researchers reviewed literature and Medicare claims data. The collected data were applied to a Markov Decision Model where they estimated lifetime direct and indirect costs associated with surgical and continued non-operative treatment for rotator cuff tears by comparing costs for probability of employment, household income, missed workdays and disability payments among patients ages 30-80. Additionally, AAOS developed appropriate use criteria for rotator cuff injuries to help clinicians identify when surgery is appropriate for each patient.

The full AAOS study is available at ANationInMotion.org/value/rotator-cuff.

AAOS commissioned KNG Health Consulting, LLC (KNG Health) and its partner, IHS Global Inc., to prepare this study.

More information about the AAOS
With more than 37,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, (www.aaos.org) or (www.orthoinfo.org) is the premier not-for-profit organization that provides education programs for orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals, champions the interests of patients and advances the highest quality of musculoskeletal health. Orthopaedic surgeons and the Academy are the authoritative sources of information for patients and the general public on musculoskeletal conditions, treatments and related issues. An advocate for improved care, the Academy is participating in the Bone and Joint Initiative (www.usbjd.org), the global initiative to raise awareness of musculoskeletal health, stimulate research and improve people's quality of life.

When orthopaedic surgeons restore mobility and reduce pain, they help people get back to work and to independent, productive lives. To learn more, to read hundreds of patient stories or to submit your own story, visit ANationInMotion.org.

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SOURCE American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons