All surgeries carry some amount of risk, and as doctors it is our goal to do everything in our power to minimize these risks and ensure our patients progress through surgery and rehabilitation as expected. We do this far more often than not, and it’s not by accident. We are meticulous in how we work to identify, reduce and eliminate the potential for risk during shoulder surgeries. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some of the most common risks and complications associated with total shoulder replacement, and we explain how we work to prevent them.
Anesthesia Reactions
Anesthesiologists are very meticulous in how they administer and bring patients out of anesthesia to prevent complications, but there is a small risk of anesthesia-related reactions and issues like breathing complications. A full medical review and patient assessment can help ensure anesthesia is administered properly.
Infections
Any time a wound is created there is the potential for bacteria to enter the body and cause an infection. Antibiotics are used during the procedure and all implants are carefully sterilized before they are inserted to greatly reduce the possibility that they could be the source of the infection.
Nerve or Blood Vessel Damage
By trusting your shoulder replacement operation to a skilled surgeon like Dr. Holloway with countless replacement operations under his belt, your risk of having a nerve or blood vessel damaged during the operation is greatly minimized.
Blood Clots
Blood clots are more common after lower body surgeries, but you should still be aware of their possibility following a total shoulder replacement, as they occur in about 1 in 200 patients. Your surgeon can talk to you about your individual clot risk and how to help reduce that risk with safe movements and medication.
Rotator Cuff Damage
Your rotator cuff can be damaged during the operation or after the surgery if you try to perform certain movements too quickly. Dr. Holloway uses specialized techniques to minimize stress on the rotator cuff during the operation, and he’ll ensure you understand your expectations and physical limitations before you’re discharged so you don’t suffer a setback during rehabilitation.
