Indications and contraindications

Abstract Just as with hip and knee arthroplasty; as the volume of shoulder arthroplasties performed each year increases, so will the number of patients requiring revision shoulder arthroplasty. Indications for performing revision shoulder arthroplasty are variable and numerous and can include problems related to the glenoid, problems related to the humerus, and problems related to the soft tissues (rotator cuff, instability). Rarely, infection, either early postoperative or late-appearing hematogenous, is an indication for revision arthroplasty. Complications related to healing of the greater and lesser tuberosities can be observed after unconstrained shoulder arthroplasty performed for proximal humeral fractures. Finally, certain periprosthetic humeral fractures are an indication for revision shoulder arthroplasty. This chapter details our specific indications and contraindications for revision shoulder arthroplasty.