We identified 224 TSAs performed for primary glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis with 2- to 5-year follow-up in a prospective shoulder arthroplasty registry. Sixty patients with a history of preoperative opioid use for shoulder pain were compared with a control group of 164 patients. Patient-reported outcome measurements, range of motion measurements, and patient satisfaction were assessed preoperatively and at most recent follow-up.
Preoperative opioid use was associated with significantly worse preoperative patient-reported outcome scores for nearly all outcome measures. Both groups significantly improved on all outcome scores and range of motion measurements from preoperative to most recent follow-up; however, the nonopioid group had significantly better postoperative outcome scores. There was a statistical difference between the 2 groups regarding the number of satisfied patients, with 80% satisfied in the opioid group (48 of 60 patients) compared with 91% satisfied in the nonopioid group (149 of 164 patients) (P = .03).
Patients with a history of preoperative opioid use can achieve significant improvements in patient-reported outcome measurements and patient satisfaction after anatomic TSA for primary glenohumeral joint arthritis. However, patients with preoperative opioid use have a significantly lower preoperative baseline and achieve significantly lower final outcome scores after TSA compared with patients without a history of preoperative opioid use.