Reverse shoulder replacement is a surgical procedure utilized to provide shoulder pain relief for patients with chronic symptoms. This procedure differs from traditional shoulder replacement surgery in that a surgeon attaches a prosthetic shoulder socket to the upper portion of the arm bone, while the ball is attached directly to the shoulder blade. During traditional shoulder replacement surgery, a surgeon attaches a prosthetic socket to the shoulder blade and a ball to the top of the arm bone. Patients should discuss the potential complications of reverse shoulder replacement with a doctor prior to surgery.
Nerve Injury
A surgeon can inadvertently damage the nerves surrounding the site of surgery during reverse shoulder replacement, the University of Washington Medicine reports. Nerve injury complications can cause unusual sensations of numbness or tingling that extend from the treated shoulder down into the hand following surgery. These complications typically diminish as a patient begins to heal after surgery. Numbness may be permanent if a surgeon completely severs a nerve while performing this procedure.
Joint Stiffness
Scar tissue that accumulates around the implanted prosthesis can contribute to joint stiffness complications in treated patients, according to Dr. William Kurtz, an orthopedic surgeon with William Kurtz Joint Replacement. Compared to healthy tissue, scar tissue is tough and inflexible, making it difficult for patients to extend or rotate the treated shoulder. Intensive physical therapy following reverse shoulder replacement surgery can help limit joint stiffness complications in patients.
Shoulder Dislocation
The prosthetic shoulder socket can slip away from the implanted ball, leading to shoulder dislocation complications after surgery. Shoulder dislocation is painful and may require additional medical intervention, such as manual shoulder reduction or additional shoulder surgery, to place the shoulder joint back in its proper position.
Fracture
Certain patients can experience a shoulder fracture during surgery when a surgeon places the prosthetic shoulder components into the shoulder and arm bones. If this occurs, a surgeon will typically repair the fracture during surgery utilizing a metal plate or cables, Kurtz explains. If fracture complications occur after reverse shoulder replacement surgery, patients may require additional surgery to address this bone injury.
Joint Loosening
In certain cases, a prosthetic shoulder replacement can irritate the surrounding tissues, causing loosening of the joint, the University of Washington Medicine warns. Joint loosening can lead to painful shoulder symptoms in affected patients. Typically, patients who experience this complication require additional surgery to have the shoulder joint replaced with a new prosthetic.
Infection, Bleeding, Blood Clots
Shoulder surgery increases a patient's risk of developing infection, bleeding or blood clot complications. Infection of the shoulder joint is a serious complication that may require that the implanted joint be removed by a surgeon. Patients who develop infection complications also typically require antibiotic medication to resolve infection symptoms. Bleeding complications occur infrequently but may necessitate a blood transfusion if they occur, the University of Washington Medicine reports. Blood clots in the legs can cause leg discomfort or swelling and may result in potentially fatal medical complications if they detach from the veins and travel into a patient's lungs. Though these complications are uncommon, patients should be aware of these risks of reverse shoulder replacement prior to undergoing surgery.
