Shoulder Arthritis
Understanding and managing shoulder joint arthritis for better quality of life
What is Shoulder Arthritis?
Shoulder arthritis is a degenerative condition where the smooth cartilage covering the shoulder joint bones wears away, leading to pain, stiffness, and loss of function. As the protective cartilage deteriorates, the bones may rub against each other, causing inflammation and pain.
The shoulder has two joints that can be affected: the glenohumeral joint (main shoulder joint between the upper arm bone and shoulder blade) and the acromioclavicular (AC) joint (where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade).
While shoulder arthritis is less common than hip or knee arthritis, it can significantly impact daily activities and quality of life, making simple tasks like reaching overhead or behind your back difficult and painful.
Causes and Risk Factors
• Age-related wear and tear (osteoarthritis)
• Rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory conditions
• Previous shoulder injury or fracture
• Rotator cuff tear arthropathy
• Avascular necrosis (loss of blood supply to bone)
• Age over 50 years
• Family history of arthritis
• Previous shoulder injury or surgery
• Repetitive overhead activities
• Obesity increasing joint stress
Symptoms
• Progressive shoulder pain that worsens with activity
• Pain at night interfering with sleep
• Limited range of motion
• Grinding, clicking, or catching sensations
• Weakness in the shoulder
• Stiffness making daily tasks difficult
• Swelling around the joint
Diagnosis
Medical History: Discussion of symptoms, pain patterns, previous injuries, and impact on daily activities.
Physical Examination: Assessment of range of motion, strength, tenderness, and grinding sensations.
X-rays: Show joint space narrowing, bone spurs, and changes in bone structure characteristic of arthritis.
MRI or CT Scan: Provide detailed images of cartilage damage, bone quality, and rotator cuff status for surgical planning.
Treatment Options
• Rest and activity modification to reduce joint stress
• NSAIDs or acetaminophen for pain management
• Physiotherapy to maintain strength and mobility
• Ice and heat therapy
• Corticosteroid injections for temporary relief
• Hyaluronic acid injections (viscosupplementation)
• Lifestyle modifications including weight management
When Surgery is Needed: Conservative treatments no longer provide adequate relief, significant functional limitations, or severe joint damage.
Surgical Options:
• Arthroscopy: For mild arthritis, removing debris and bone spurs
• Total Shoulder Replacement: Replacing damaged surfaces with artificial components
• Reverse Shoulder Replacement: For arthritis with rotator cuff tears
• Hemiarthroplasty: Replacing only the humeral head in younger patients
Recovery Expectations
Conservative Treatment: Ongoing management with periods of improvement and flare-ups. Lifestyle modifications and regular physiotherapy can maintain function for years.
Post-Surgical Recovery: Hospital stay of 1-2 days. Sling use for 4-6 weeks. Physiotherapy begins within days of surgery. Most daily activities resume at 3 months. Full recovery takes 6-12 months.
Outcomes: Over 90% of patients experience significant pain relief and improved function after shoulder replacement. Most can return to low-impact activities and enjoy better quality of life.
