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. 2014 Dec 23;8(1):40–52. doi: 10.1007/s12178-014-9247-6

Table 2.

Complications after rotator cuff repair commonly treated by operative means

Complication Usual signs/symptoms Description of treatment
Chondrolysis Pain, crepitus, loss of motion May have a role for arthroscopic debridement or require arthroplasty
Deep infection Pain, erythema, drainage Irrigation, debridement, and removal of all hardware and foreign material able to be removed. May require open excision of sinus tract. Culture-specific intravenous antibiotics, transitioned to oral antibiotics
Deltoid injury Pain, loss of active abduction, fluid collection at superior shoulder (AC joint) Open direct repair or reconstruction with rotational deltoidplasty
Implant failure Pain, crepitus, loss of strength Loose body removal with possible revision rotator cuff repair
Osteonecrosis Pain, loss of active and passive motion, crepitus Reverse shoulder arthroplasty
Re-tear Pain, loss of active motion, or decreased strength Possible initial treatment with physical therapy in select case or revision rotator cuff repair in physiologically young, active patients. Muscle transfer is an option as well. In the elderly low demand patient, reverse shoulder arthroplasty is an excellent revision option