Rotator Cuff Tears, Repairs, and Shoulder Arthroplasties Among Workers' Compensation Claimants: A 16-Year Longitudinal Study at a National Workers' Compensation Insurance Carrier.

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.

Is Arthroscopic Meniscectomy Associated With an Increased Risk of Total Knee Arthroplasty for Claimants in the Workers' Compensation System? A 10-Year Study of Workers' Compensation Claims From a Large Nationwide Workers' Compensation Insurance Carrier.

Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a commonly performed knee surgery and prior arthroscopic meniscectomy (AM) has been linked to an increased risk of TKA in the general population.

Objective: To study the relationship between AM and TKA among injured workers whose medical care is paid for under workers' compensation (WC).

Method: A total of 17,247 lost-time claims depicting all arthroscopic knee surgical procedures performed from 2007 to 2017 were followed to the end of 2022 and analyzed.

Dose Escalations Among Workers' Compensation Claimants Using Opioid Medications-An 8 Year Postinjury Follow up Study.

Objective: The aim of the study is to determine the morphine equivalent dose in milligrams (MED)/day escalation trend after initial utilization.

Methods: A total of 25,108 lost time claims filed between 1998 and 2007 were followed for 8 years from injury date. Claims were stratified by initial MED/day at 3 months after injury into four groups (0, 1 to < 15, 15 to < 30, and ≥30 MED/day).