Each year I make an effort to analyze my surgical cases and publish our shoulder replacement data. I think this is important for several reasons. First, it is an opportunity to analyze our complication rate to see how our team is doing, and to compare our results to national averages. Second, I think this information is owed to patients. Patients should know what their surgeon's complication rate is, so that they can make an informed decision. In 2018, it is amazing that this data is not available for every surgeon and every surgery. We need to do better in that regard.
Over the past 13 months, we have performed 143 shoulder replacements. Of those, three patients had a significant complication. One patient had an infection, one had a dislocation and one had severe stiffness that required a second surgery for scar removal. Therefore, the overall significant complication rate was 2%. The infection rate .6%. There was also on acromion stress fracture after a reverse but that patient made a full recovery and therefore I would classify that as a minor complication. I have previously written about acromion stress fractures on this site for those who are interested.
I am proud to say that our complicaiton rate is far below the national average. I think this is a reflection of the great team that I have both in the office and O.R. I believe it is also a reflection of our high level of experience.
In terms of the data presented here, I will admit that it is basic stuff. I am very happy to say that within the next year I will have much more detailed data to provide to patients. We (Dr. Manke and myself) have been collecting detailed data as part of a national database for the past year, and soon we will have that information to present. This will give a much fuller picture of patient function and outcome. Also proud to say that we are one of a handful of data collection sites throughout the U.S. Other sites include, Stanford University, University of Florida, and NYU medical center.
