The shoulder joint has more movement than any other joint in the body. Shoulder arthritis can make these frequent movements more painful.
The two main types of shoulder arthritis are:
- Osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease)
- Rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory)
Osteoarthritis (OA) is typically seen in people over 50 and is due to the wear and tear on the shoulder joint over time. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that affects many joints in the body.
Your doctor determines if you have shoulder arthritis by first discussing your symptoms and taking your medical history. During a shoulder examination, your doctor looks for:
- Pain when pressure is placed on the joint
- Muscle weakness (atrophy)
- Shoulder tenderness
- Signs of injury to the areas surrounding the shoulder joint
- Limitations on range of motion
- A grating sensation inside the shoulder as it moves
- If any other joints show arthritis signs
Your doctor may order X-rays for the bones in your shoulder(s). X-rays can help your doctor determine what form of arthritis may be present.
Shoulder arthritis can be removed from the shoulder using surgery. Some cases of mild arthritis may be treated with shoulder arthroscopy. During surgery, your doctor inserts a tiny scope into the shoulder joint through a small incision. Using the images, your doctor uses micro-instruments to clean out the inside of the joint. While this procedure won’t eliminate arthritis from the shoulder, it does provide pain relief.
In more advanced cases of arthritis, shoulder replacement surgery may be needed to alleviate pain and restore range of motion. In this procedure, damaged parts of the shoulder are removed and replaced with artificial components.
- Non-surgical treatments include:
- Resting the shoulder
- Icing and/or applying heat
- Modifying activities
- Physical therapy
- Steroid injections
Exercise is another great non-surgical treatment. Lifting weights in particular can help manage arthritis pain by helping to build the muscles around the joins and reduce bone loss.
If you believe you have symptoms of shoulder arthritis and are looking for treatment options, make an appointment with ProOrtho.
Curious about other health, exercise, or pain management tips? Contact the top orthopedic doctors at ProOrtho today. Request an appointment today.
