Fluid Buildup After Shoulder Surgery

Rotator-cuff surgeries can be a lot to handle. Apart from the immense pain, one of the rare complications that might arise is fluid buildup after shoulder surgery. This is also called extravasation of arthroscopic fluid in the case of shoulder arthroscopic surgery and should not be confused with seroma in general terms for any surgery. Extravasation of fluid is seen immediately after surgery.

Or it can be a gradual process when the fluid or serum starts to build up (even after a few weeks post-surgery) due to shoulder arthroscopy. Also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), swelling and pain all across the shoulder up to the elbow can also be caused by shoulder surgery.

This is nothing to be super anxious about, though. Know that there are only extremely rare cases where you need to worry. So, you can trust your surgical team to get your arthroscopic surgery done well on you.

What Causes Fluid Buildup After Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery?

If you’re experiencing extreme discomfort followed by excessive and abnormal swelling in the upper extremity, it might be time to consult your doctor again. The swelling or puffiness under your skin due to fluid leakage from tissue is also called edema.

• Time to get a little technical, but the glenohumeral joint possesses a capsule that can often play the role of an anatomic barrier to fluid extravasation. But if this capsule is not present, then the subacromial area allows for fluid extravasation during arthroscopy.
  
• There are various things that can also increase the risk of this fluid buildup. These include lateral decubitus placement, high pump pressures, and long periods of time taken to operate. If you are obese, then you might be at the risk of fluid extravasation too.
  
• In arthroscopic shoulder surgeries with several risk factors for hazardous periarticular fluid accumulation, surgeons and anesthesia providers should consider regular endotracheal intubation.
• Joint irrigation is a process in which surgeons flush your shoulder area to allow visualization during surgery. If proper procedures (usually an air passage pipe is attached to the mouth) are not followed, then irrigation fluid might lead to serious conditions.
  
• Furthermore, rotator cuff injuries and iatrogenic anterior deltoid tears are risk factors for fluid extravasation.

There is nothing to worry about, as edema or fluid buildup into the deltoid muscle can also be treated with care. And a few precautions will, in fact, avoid any extravasation that can lead to airway compromise.

What to Do in the case of Fluid Buildup Post Shoulder Arthroscopy?

So, you recently got done with your shoulder arthroscopic surgery, and you’re feeling weird? It is totally normal. It is no big issue to get swelling around your shoulders and arms.

So when should you consult a doctor? The first thing you might obviously notice is an abnormal amount of swelling spreading rapidly across the neck and face as well. Just keep a lookout for the following symptoms:

• Severe neck and chest edema (chest and neck swelling)
• Blotchy skin
• Tracheal compression caused due to fluid extravasation
• Difficulty breathing
• Inability to move neck
• Excessive pain in the swollen area

However, you should know that life-threatening airway edema is again an extremely rare case where this might threaten your well-being. And a doctor should take care of these symptoms of fluid buildup. Prior to discharge you will be evaluated to confirm you do not have this type of fluid build up.

Now, you should also understand that not every swelling after arthroscopic shoulder surgery is a sign of fluid buildup. Following section covers things that are usually quite common and nothing to worry about.

What to Expect After Shoulder Surgery?

• Pain and swelling for several weeks
• Mild Fever
• Numbness
• A regular need for ice packs
• Inability to move the shoulder
• Difficulty sleeping
• Pain while waking up

These are all normal, and these symptoms will only go away after a few weeks post the surgical procedure. A further complication of shoulder surgeries is easily taken care of.

Should You Skip Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Surgery?

NO, Open surgery is also a successful technique, but arthroscopic shoulder procedures are effective, safe, and include some faster rehabilitation. Open surgeries cause more trauma to the soft tissues.

This means shoulder arthroscopy surgeries are less invasive and allow a quicker recovery. That’s why you should not panic and trust the process of arthroscopic surgery.

What to Expect During Shoulder Arthroscopic Surgery?

This surgery procedure has become quite popular, and you can expect these things during this surgery:

• Expect to receive general and block anesthesia. You won’t feel pain but the movement of shoulder joints when the surgeon is operating.
• Once you are in a lateral decubitus position, the surgeon will make a small incision for the arthroscope to go in. A video monitor helps visualize with the arthroscope.
• The surgeon will either repair damaged tissues, attach tendons to bone structure, clean damaged tissue, or repair damaged ligaments while you remain in the lateral decubitus position.
• After the incision are sewn back together, you will recover in the recovery room.

This might be oversimplifying it. But it is for you to understand that arthroscopic surgery for the shoulder is safe, and you shouldn’t be anxious about fluid buildup or any other complications.

What to Know Before A Shoulder Surgery?

You have to keep a few things in mind before going under the knife with shoulder arthroscopy. The following things are quite common and important to know:

• You’ll have to depend on someone for your daily chores for the first few days.
• The bathing routine is difficult after one joint is out of action.
• You’ll be on painkillers most of the time.
• Sleeping on a recliner for better support

These, of course, are some of the things that happen after shoulder arthroscopy.

Other Causes of Edema Apart from Fluid Buildup

Not all edema is linked with fluid buildup. There are certain non-serious causes of edema that are quite common for people who undergo any kind of surgery. These are as follows:

• Our body goes through a cytokine response after incisions and other damage caused by surgery.
• This increases the permeability of the capillary membrane to proteins like albumin, resulting in the shift of plasma proteins and fluid from the intravascular to the interstitial space.
• This is an inflammatory process.
• You can use ice packs to reduce edema of this kind.
  

Final Thoughts

So, you have gone or are going to go through rotator cuff repair? Or an arthroscopic subacromial decompression? Or maybe a full-thickness rotator cuff tear? Shoulder arthroscopy can be a scary procedure and can cause a lot of postoperative pain and discomfort for sure.

But there is nothing to worry about the rare complication of severe airway obstruction involving a laryngeal airway. Just look for the symptoms that I have mentioned above.

Just give yourself some time to recover. But yes, if you have severe neck and chest edema, then you should see your doctor immediately. Rest assured, a rise in body temperature, some swelling, and pain are quite normal.