Follow-up Studies
Painful or failed shoulder arthroplasties are evaluated with serial conventional radiographs. Most of these cases will show radiographic abnormalities. Exceptions include:
- Acutely infected arthroplasties where the diagnosis has been made very early by clinical exam and arthrocentesis, before radiographic abnormalities have developed.
- Intraarticular or adjacent soft-tissue abnormalities that may require advance imaging for optimal evaluation.
Painful or failed arthroplasties may be due to a variety of problems, including:
- Instability
- Polyethylene problems
- Osteolysis
- Loosening
- Infection
- Fractures
- Heterotopic ossification
