Pain management after total shoulder arthroplasty: a systematic review and procedure‐specific postoperative pain management ( PROSPECT ) recommendations

In the absence of contraindication, the analgesic regimen should include: paracetamol; a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug administered peri-operatively and continued postoperatively; intravenous dexamethasone (8-10 mg); and postoperative opioids for rescue analgesia.

As a regional technique, an interscalene brachial plexus block with a single-bolus injection of long-acting local anaesthetic (bupivacaine or ropivacaine), but not liposomal bupivacaine, should be provided.

In case of contraindications or absence of expertise, local infiltration analgesia is a reasonable alternative.