Extract
Total shoulder arthroplasty is considered to be a safe procedure with a low
complication rate. Cofield et
al.1 reviewed the
literature and reported that the overall complication rate for this procedure
was 10.4% (123 of 1183). Associated complications that have been reported
include infection, nerve damage, arterial injury, fracture, instability, and
long-term loosening of the
implant2-5.
The rate of bleeding or hematoma formation after total shoulder arthroplasty
has been reported as 0.17% (two of
1183)1, 2.78% (one
of
thirty-six)1,6,
and 3.3% (five of
152)7. Most reviews
of total shoulder arthroplasty have not listed bleeding as a complication of
the
procedure8-12.