Patient/caregiver was instructed regarding complications involved with shoulder replacement surgery as follows:

Complications are relatively rare with total shoulder replacement unlike other joint replacements, but can include:

• Blood loss: Joint replacement surgery can involve moderate blood loss. Transfusion might become necessary in some cases. Your surgeon will make needed arrangement for the transfusion, as part of preparation for the scheduled surgery.
• Injury to the nerves and blood vessels: In the upper limb, arteries & veins providing blood supply & venous drainage and nerves providing nerve supply to the limb travel in close relation to the shoulder joint. These structures can be at risk for injury during surgery for shoulder replacement, thus compromising the blood and nerve supply to the upper limb. Report to your surgeon regarding any pale or bluish discoloration of the surgical limb. Also, report to your surgeon for further investigation, regarding any worsening numbness in the surgical limb.
• Deep venous thrombosis or clot formation: As the mobility and range of motion in the joint is limited during immediate post-surgical phase, blood tends to pool in the deep veins of the limb and increase risk for clot formation. Large blood clots formed in the upper extremities can occlude the veins and obstruct the blood return in these veins towards the heart. Consequently, this can result in diffuse swelling of the limb below the level of the clot, due to the accumulation of blood. Also, occlusion of the vein by the clot can result in localized inflammation of the vein. This can lead to pain and pinpoint tenderness at the site of clot formation, with some redness and elevation of temperature at the site of the clot deposition in the limb. Observing compliance with therapy recommendations and intake of prescribed blood thinner medications, if any, can help prevent clot formation. Keep a close watch for any above-mentioned signs and symptoms of clot formation and report to the physician at the earliest for management measures to prevent further complications.