Management of complications after revision shoulder arthroplasty

Complications after revision shoulder arthroplasty are similar to those in the primary setting which include instability, fracture, bone loss, infection, nerve injury, and loosening. Unlike in the primary setting, however, the rate of complications for revisions is significantly greater and the management is more complex because of overlapping complications and limited treatment options. Furthermore, there is a paucity of evidence-based literature to direct the management options in these patients. The purposes of this review are to broadly outline the major complications that are seen in revision shoulder arthroplasty and to provide general principles on how to recognize and approach these complex cases.