Interest in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty is increasing! An analysis of publication frequency and Google Trends

Abstract

Background

Total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) procedure volume is increasing, as is reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) procedure volume, which continues to make up a larger proportion of all TSA procedures performed. Whether growing procedure volume is associated with growing patient interest has not yet been assessed with the field of shoulder arthroplasty. The present study aimed to evaluate trends in public and scientific interest in RTSA compared to TSA by assessing Google Trends and publication frequency data, respectively.

Methods

Google Trends data and publication frequency data on PubMed were collected for RTSA and TSA between January 2010 and December 2023. Trend analyses were performed.

Results

Over the 13-year period between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2023, Google Trends search data demonstrated that RTSA searches are growing as a share of TSA searches, indicating an upward trajectory for RTSA over the entirety of the study period. PubMed literature revealed RTSA represents a rising proportion of all TSA publications, increasing significantly from 31% to 58% of the total publications (P < .001). Publications for both RTSA and TSA have increased 668% and 233%, respectively, over the study period.

Conclusion

RTSA encompasses an increasing portion of patient interest in TSA and, similarly, a growing share of publications on TSA. The significant upward trajectory of these trend lines over the entirety of the study period suggests both public and research interest in RTSA will continue to grow. Trends demonstrating rising public awareness and interest can inform surgeons planning for a future of increased demand for RTSA.