Hospital for Special Surgery Shoulder Arthroplasty Cohort

Total joint replacements are some of the most successful medical devices developed over the
last fifty years. They enable millions of people to remain ambulatory and pain free, with
minimal risk. In 2002, over 200,000 total hip replacements, 350,000 total knee replacements,
and 25,000 total or partial shoulder replacements were performed in the United States (HCUP
data). Future use will likely be even higher: it is estimated that by the year 2020, the
population 65 and over in developed countries will increase by 71%. Existing studies do not
provide adequate prospective data to evaluate long-term outcomes.

HSS is a world leader in total joint replacement including total shoulder arthroplasty.
However, there is no systematic follow-up or evaluation of patients who have their shoulders
replaced here.

The purpose of this study is to establish a prospective cohort of HSS total shoulder
arthroplasty to evaluate predictors of outcome, causes of failure and to allow ongoing
evaluation of the results of our patients over time.