Arthroscopic Venous Shoulder Surgery Complications
It is more common for individuals undergoing a hip or knee arthroscopic surgery to experience venous complications than those who have a shoulder arthroscopy. However, it can still happen to those in the latter group. But risks for such an occurrence can be reduced by not taking certain drugs during the period leading up to the surgery: Advil, Aleve, and Motrin.
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Arthroscopic Surgery
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An arthroscopic surgery is one in which a physician diagnoses---or seeks to repair or replace---an injured or diseased joint, as well as cartilage, muscles and/or tendons. Arthroscopic surgery is performed with a special tool known as an arthroscope.
The arthroscope optical tool is tube-shaped and very narrow, measuring approximately 4 mm. A camera is located on one end of it, to provide the surgeon with the ability to see into the joint area being operated on, and the tool has special lenses, a light system, and fiber optics as well, since it is used in very tight, small, areas. Arthroscopic surgery can be performed on any joint in the body, including the shoulder.
Shoulder Arthroscopic Surgery
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There are many reasons why someone might need shoulder arthroscopic surgery. These can include: inflamed or damaged tissue, tears to tendons or ligaments, rotator cuff repair, and cartilage damage or wear to the shoulder joint or surrounding area, according to the National Institute of Health (see link in References Section below).
General anesthesia is usually given for this type of surgery, enabling the patient to sleep during the procedure and not to feel any pain; however, localized anesthesia is also used sometimes too---numbing the pain, but allowing the patient to be aware of what is going on during the procedure.
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Surgery Complications
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According to the Mayo Clinic, arthroscopy procedures are low-risk, with complications occurring in only one-to-two percent of all the patients who undergo this surgical procedure. But of the small percentage that does experience a complication, these can include the following: damage to tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, nerves, bone and cartilage that are near (and around) the surgical site area. In addition, infection is a possible complication, as well as a blood clot in a leg vein.
Venous Complications
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Blood clot formation in leg veins is not an uncommon complication after knee or hip arthroscopic surgery, but it is rare after arthroscopic shoulder surgery, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (see link in References Section below). Such venous complications can be fatal if the blood clot makes its way to the heart (causing a heart attack or stroke) or to the lungs, where it can cause an embolism.
But the Mayo Clinic says that clot formation (venous complication) generally doesn't occur unless a surgical procedure lasts for over an hour. Typically, arthroscopy procedures can range anywhere in length from 30 minutes to two hours.
Preventative Measures
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To prevent clot formation during this type of surgical procedure, it is often recommended by surgeons that individuals cease taking aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen at least two weeks prior to surgery, according to the National Institute of Health.
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