Stiffness following shoulder arthroplasty: To manipulate or not

While the definition of “stiffness” after shoulder arthroplasty remains controversial, loss of range of motion in the post-arthroplasty setting can be a disabling functional complication. Cause of limitations in the range of motion after shoulder arthroplasty can be attributed to four potential etiologies: failure to address preoperative indications, implant complications, surgical technical errors, and finally soft tissue management and soft tissue results. Preoperative diagnostic error, implant failures, and intraoperative technical errors are often managed with revision surgery; however, there appears to be a role for contracture releases in the treatment of shoulder stiffness.