The role age plays in the outcomes and complications of shoulder arthroplasty.

Background: This investigation used age as a continuous variable to estimate implant survival and the risk of complications.

Methods: Prospectively collected data were used to analyze 5494 consecutive shoulder arthroplasties performed from 1970 to 2012. Patients were a mean age of 67 years. The association between the age at the index procedure and the risk for each outcome was assessed using Cox regression and smoothing spline analysis.

Results: Older age was associated with a decreased risk of revision surgery, revision for mechanical failure, and reoperation but with a higher risk for thromboembolic events. Reoperation rates also decreased in a linear fashion with older ages (P < .001). The risk of revision surgery decreased in a linear fashion between the ages of 40 and 85, with a 3% decreased risk of revision per 1-year increase in age (P < .01). This association held true in a multivariate model and when specific procedures were separated out. Compared with patients aged <50 years, patients aged from 50 to 65 years (P < .001) and those >65 years (P < .001) have decreased risks of revision surgery. The risk of a revision surgery in a patient aged >50 years was significantly decreased (~13% reduction in risk for each year; P < .001). There was a subtle association between older age and decreased rates of infection (P = .01).

Conclusions: There is a strong association between older age and decreased rates of revision surgery and reoperation after shoulder arthroplasty, with a striking association with decreased rates of mechanical failure. These are important considerations when counseling younger patients regarding their risks.