Symptoms of Failed Shoulder Surgery

What Is a Failed Shoulder Surgery?

Failed shoulder surgery means the surgery didn’t meet expectations. It led to ongoing pain or other issues. All surgeries come with risks, and some have higher risks than others. The most common types of failed shoulder surgeries are rotator cuff repairs and shoulder stabilization for instability.

Why You Might Need a Shoulder Surgery?

People have shoulder surgery for various reasons. Some of the most common include:

• A torn rotator cuff or labrum
• Shoulder instability from frequent dislocations
• Damage to the tendons
• A frozen shoulder that hasn’t gotten better
• Ongoing shoulder pain that affects your daily life

What Causes a Failed Shoulder Surgery?

The main goals of shoulder surgery are to reduce pain and swelling, restore movement, improve strength, and regain function.

A study found that over 80% of failed surgeries for shoulder instability are linked to bone loss. The quality of soft tissues and any damage to them can also affect the success of the surgery. Dense scar tissue can cause problems and new injuries after surgery.

The surgeon’s experience is also important, as there’s always a risk of mistakes. Revision surgeries have a higher risk of failure. They may lead to more issues with shoulder function. The risk can vary depending on the extent of joint damage. Sometimes, if there’s no clear reason for the failure, your surgeon might use imaging to check the shoulder’s bones and tissues.

Common Symptoms of Failed Shoulder Surgery

The symptoms of failed shoulder surgery can vary with the original condition and the type of surgery performed. However, you might experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Ongoing or worsening pain that doesn’t get better with rest or medication
• Reduced movement in the shoulder joint
• Shoulder instability
• Popping, grinding, or clicking sounds when you move your shoulder
• Swelling in the joint that doesn’t go away
• Loss of muscle strength

How Frequently Do Shoulder Surgeries Fail?

The chance of shoulder surgery failing depends on the procedure, the patient, and the surgeon’s experience. According to a review, the failure rate for primary open or arthroscopic shoulder surgery is generally between 5% and 30%. Revision surgeries have a higher failure rate, about 22%.

For Bankart repair, which fixes labral tears, the failure rate is between 6% and 30%. The failure rate for rotator cuff repair varies widely. Another study found that 11% to 94% of patients might experience retear or failure to heal, depending on factors like age and tear size.

Treatment Options for Symptoms of Failed Shoulder Surgery

The treatment for complications from failed shoulder surgery depends on how serious the problem is. Your options might include:

• Nonsurgical treatments like physical therapy or medications
• Revision surgery to fix additional damage or replace parts
• Arthroplasty (joint replacement) if other treatments don’t work

Revision surgery can be complicated and is usually considered only if symptoms continue or get worse after nonsurgical treatments.
The revision procedure will depend on the symptoms and what was done in the initial surgery. The surgeon may need to remove scar tissue, repair more damage, or replace a part of the shoulder joint.