Loosening/infection: shoulder arthroplasty

Signs & symptoms

• Red, hot swollen joint/ post-operative infection
• Feeling systemically unwell
• Fluid leaking from incision
• Signs of sepsis
• Worsening pain
• Fatigue
• Chronic infection
• New onset shoulder pain/ decreased function in arthoplasty
• Feeling the arthroplasty is unstable
• Long term unexplained pain
• Chronic infection

Risk factors

• Shoulder arthroplasty surgery
• Immunosuppressed
• Prolonged surgery time
• 10-15 years post-operative

Refer urgently to Orthopaedics/ Emergency dept depending on severity of infection.