What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine disparities in treatment rates of cortisone injections and surgical management for rotator cuff disease among different racial/ethnic groups.

February 20, 2026

Minority Groups Are Less Likely to Undergo Surgical Fixation or Receive a Cortisone Injection for Rotator Cuff Disease: A Large Database Study

Key Points

To examine disparities in treatment rates of cortisone injections and surgical management for rotator cuff disease among different racial/ethnic groups.
Query of TriNetX database for patients aged 18-90 diagnosed with rotator cuff disease
Stratification by ethnic/racial identity using ICD and CPT codes
Assessment of treatment rates using Chi-squared and student t-tests
Propensity score matching to control for demographic variables and co-morbidities
Minorities were 24% less likely to receive cortisone injections compared to non-Hispanic whites
African Americans have a 19% lower chance of receiving injections; Asian/Pacific Islanders, 58% less likely
Minorities were 26% less likely to undergo surgical repair compared to non-Hispanic whites; African Americans, 34% less likely; Asian/Pacific Islanders, 40% less likely

Abstract

Rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are commonly repaired after failure of conservative management. Prior literature has demonstrated that racial disparities exist in surgical management of RCTs. There is limited literature addressing whether certain patient populations are less likely to receive cortisone injection. Our hypothesis is that minority groups are less likely to undergo a cortisone injection for the non-operative treatment of RCTs. Additionally, we hypothesize that minority patients are less likely to undergo surgical management of RCTs compared to non-Hispanic white patients. The TriNetX database was queried to identify all patients aged 18-90 years who were diagnosed with rotator cuff disease based on M75.1, S43.42, S46 ICD 10 codes between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2024. Patients were then stratified based on ethnic/racial identity. Using CPT codes 29827, 23410, 23412, 23420 with appropriate ICD codes for common co-morbidities, the rates of cortisone injection and rotator cuff repair were characterized in a five-year post-diagnostic period. Categorical and continuous variables were assessed using a Chi-squared and student t-testing, respectively. Propensity score matched analysis were employed to control for non-racial/ethnic demographic variables and medical co-morbidities. Statistical significance for all analyses was set at p <0.005. 1,406,127 patients with rotator cuff disease were included. When assessing the matched odds ratio of receiving a cortisone injection compared to non-Hispanic white populations, minorities were 24% less likely to receive a cortisone injection (95% CI 0.75-0.77, p < 0.0001). African Americans were 19% less likely to receive an injection (95% CI 0.8-0.82, p < 0.0001) and Asian/Pacific Islanders had a 58% reduced chance (95% CI 0.41-0.44, p < 0.0001). These trends also extended to Hispanic patients, (10% reduced chance with 95% C.I 0.89-0.92, p < 0.0001). Minorities were 26% less likely to undergo surgical repair compared to their non-Hispanic white counterparts (95% CI 0.73-0.75, p < 0.0001), African Americans were 34% less likely (95% CI 0.64-0.67, p < 0.0001), and Asian/Pacific Islanders were 40% less likely (95% CI 0.58-0.62, p < 0.0001) to undergo surgical repair. Our findings suggest that minority patients are less likely to receive a cortisone injection or undergo surgical management for RCTs irrespective of underlying co-morbidities. Further research is necessary to assess the reasons for such disparities and potential methods for addressing these healthcare inequities. Level III, Retrospective Cohort Comparison using Large Database, Prognosis Study

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