Even the most routine surgeries carry some risk, and patients and their care teams should work hard to reduce the chances of any potential complications. Shoulder surgery isn’t considered a high-risk surgery by any means, but surgeons still need to be wary of some of the more common complications that can disrupt an operation or a patient’s recovery. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some of the risks associated with shoulder surgeries, and how Dr. Holloway and his team work to mitigate that risk.
Reducing Complication Risk During Shoulder Surgery
As we mentioned in the introduction, shoulder surgery is considered much less risky than other types of operations that focus on more vital structures like the heart or brain. Also, when we say “common” complications, it’s worth noting that overall risk is very low. Studies have shown that on average, less than two percent of patients deal with complications following a rotator cuff surgery, and the percentages remain low for more invasive operations like total shoulder replacement, so “common” is in reference to the types of complications that tend to arise, not the overall rate of complications. A complication after a shoulder procedure is very rare, but if you are going to deal with a complication, here’s a look at some of the more common types we work to prevent and treat.
- Pain – Pain is less of a complication and more of a necessary evil following a shoulder surgery, but since it’s probably the side effect that bothers most people, we wanted to include it on this list. Surgery is a significant trauma on your body, and you’ll have some pain when the anesthesia wears off. You and your care team can help reduce this discomfort by pursuing a minimally invasive procedure, getting on the same page in regards to pain management and medications after your operation, and pursuing physical therapy both before and after surgery.
- Infection – An infection following an arthroscopic shoulder surgery is extremely rare, occurring in less than one percent of all operations. Trust your operation to a surgeon with a great track record of preventing infections, and make sure you closely follow your surgeon’s instructions for caring for and cleaning your incision site.
- Nerve Damage – Again, this is an extremely rare complication following a shoulder procedure. Trusting your surgery to a surgeon who can perform a minimally invasive correction can reduce your risk of nerve damage, but again, this happens in less than one percent of procedures. Physical therapy exercises can also help to break up scar tissue and reduce the risk that recovering tissue envelops or irritates a nearby nerve.
- Frozen Shoulder – This is less of a direct complication of the operation and moreso an effect of having to have your shoulder immobilized for an extended period while it recovers. Thickening or inflammation of certain tissues in the shoulder can restrict mobility and make it difficult to move your shoulder in all directions. Controlled stretching and physical therapy can help to slowly thaw your frozen shoulder.
- Blood Clots – One final complication that we’ll mention is blood clots. One study found that roughly 0.5% of the more than 50,000 patients who underwent a total shoulder replacement developed a blood clot after surgery. Giving up smoking, exercising within your limits and early physical therapy can all help to reduce your risk of a blood clot after surgery.
Dr. Holloway ensures every patient gets the individualized attention and care they need to help reduce their risk of a potential complication following shoulder surgery. These risks are very rare, but we go above and beyond to help mitigate your risk. For more information on how we work to reduce complication rates and provide you with the highest level of care, reach out to Dr. Holloway’s clinic today.
