COMPLICATIONS OF SHOULDER ARTHROPLASTY

Early and mid-range followup studies of shoulder arthroplasty have bee n encouraging, showing good and excellent results in >90% of shoulders . Despite this success, complications in shoulder replacement surgery are inevitable, with an incidence of approximately 14%. Numerous compl ications have been identified and include the following factors in ord er of decreasing frequency: instability, rotator cuff tear, ectopic os sification, glenoid component loosening, intraoperative fracture, nerv e injury, infection, and humeral component loosening. Successful treat ment of these difficulties requires careful identification and subsequ ent analysis of all factors contributing to the complication, knowing that the etiology is often multifactorial. Failed shoulder arthroplast y can be successfully managed with revision surgery, but the technical ly challenging surgery and the overall results are inferior compared w ith other diagnostic categories.