Patient/caregiver was instructed regarding findings to watch for and report to the physician after the shoulder replacement surgery as follows:
- Signs and symptoms of infection: After shoulder replacement surgery, patients and caregivers must keep a close watch for any signs and symptoms of evolving infection, such as, fever, foul smelling drainage from the surgical site, progressively increasing pain and swelling of the joint. During the immediate post-surgical phase, while you were in the hospital, your doctor could keep you on antibiotics to prevent infection. Your doctor could also send you home or call into your pharmacy for a course of antibiotics, if need be. So, report to your physician immediately regarding any signs and symptoms of infection.
- Signs and symptoms of 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 beyond 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. After shoulder replacement surgery, patients and caregivers must keep a close watch for any above-mentioned signs and symptoms of clot formation and report to the physician at the earliest for measures to prevent further complications.
- Implant loosening and joint instability: One of the most serious problems after shoulder replacement surgery is loosening of the prosthetic implant. About 5 – 10 percent of individuals undergoing shoulder replacement could present with loosening of the implant. Loosening of the implant with joint instability can also happen years later to the surgery. Individuals can present with exacerbated pain, stiffness, limitation in range of motion, and worsening joint instability. Individuals with glenoid loosening could be needing a revision surgery on the shoulder. Keep a close watch for the above-mentioned signs and symptoms of glenoid loosening and report to the physician at the earliest for appropriate management measures to prevent further complications.
