What Are the Risks of Shoulder Replacement Surgery?
Undergoing any surgical procedure comes with potential risks and complications. If you’re considering a shoulder replacement, here are a few things to know.
Undergoing any surgical procedure comes with potential risks and complications. If you’re considering a shoulder replacement, here are a few things to know.
Shoulder replacement surgery has been around for years. Many people who suffer from shoulder pain or arthritis find relief and restored mobility through shoulder replacement. However, every surgical procedure can have risks and complications. Your individual results will depend on your personal circumstances, and recovery takes time.
There are many potential problems associated with shoulder replacement surgery. The following list is not intended to be all-encompassing, but highlights some of the complications that can occur. Each of the following reactions or complications can occur during or after surgery and may require medical attention (such as further surgery) and/or implant removal.
Your anesthesiologist is a specialist in giving the medications that will help relax you and manage your pain during and after surgery. You will meet with your anesthesiologist before your hospital admission or surgical procedure to determine the type of anesthetic that is most appropriate for you. Strictly follow your doctor’s guidelines regarding food and drink before surgery. The more common side effects related to anesthesia include nausea, vomiting, and headaches (all of which can usually be relieved with medication).
Surgical incision sites and/or bone and tissue around the shoulder implants can become infected, which can delay recovery and even require additional surgery to remove and/or replace the implants. Talk to your surgeon about the potential risks and complications of infection. After your shoulder replacement, your doctor may require you to take preventive antibiotics before dental or surgical procedures that could allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream. Before any procedure, speak with your surgeon and your dentist to see if you need preventive antibiotics
To help minimize damage that may occur to blood vessels, bones and nerves in and around the incision, surgeons use precision tools, guides and highly refined surgical techniques. Nerve damage, although rare, can cause irritation, pain, and loss of sensation or function following your surgery.
There is no guarantee that shoulder replacement will make you pain-free.
The goal of shoulder replacement is to reduce pain and restore function. However, shoulder implants can loosen, parts can wear and rarely, a device does break. Such occurrences are typically accompanied by pain and/or loss of function, and may require additional surgery.
Consult your doctor but, given the risks, they may decide that
shoulder replacement surgery is not appropriate if:
This article was reviewed by Dr. John Sperling paid consultant of Zimmer Biomet