Shoulder Arthritis

Shoulder arthritis refers to damage to the shoulder joint cartilage. The shoulder is made up of two joints, with the glenohumeral joint—a ball-and-socket joint connecting the humerus to the glenoid—being the most commonly affected. The cartilage covers both the humeral head (ball) and the glenoid (socket).

This condition develops as the cartilage surface begins to break down, eventually affecting the deeper layers.

Symptoms

The symptoms of shoulder arthritis can vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Common symptoms of arthritis include:

• Persistent discomfort or tenderness in the joints lasting for over two weeks.
• The affected joint may appear red or feel warm.
• Difficulty moving the joint or stiffness, especially in the morning.

In cases of shoulder arthritis:

• The cartilage lining becomes abnormally thin or may be completely worn away, depending on the type and phase of arthritis.
• The joint capsule becomes swollen.
• X-rays often reveal a narrowed and irregular joint space.
• Bone spurs or excess bone growth may develop around the joint edges.

Causes

Shoulder arthritis can arise from various conditions that damage the cartilage or joint structures over time. Common causes include:

Osteoarthritis

This is the most common type of arthritis, often referred to as a “wear and tear” condition. Age-related degeneration leads to brittle, flaking, or thinning cartilage. As cartilage breaks down, the underlying bones become exposed and grind against each other.

Rheumatoid arthritis

This is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks healthy joint tissues. In the shoulder, this results in swelling of the joint lining and progressive cartilage degradation over time.

Rotator cuff tear arthropathy

The shoulder stays stable while moving because the “ball” of the upper arm rotates in the shoulder blade socket. The rotator cuff, which is a group of four tendons, is the cause of this. Over time, rotator cuff tears or ripping of these tendons usually show up as progressive wear and fraying. These tears may occasionally increasingly widen until the humeral head shifts out of its normal position and grinds against other shoulder bones, leading to cartilage deterioration and arthritis.

Trauma to the Shoulder

Shoulder traumas or injuries like fractures, dislocations, or strong impacts can damage the cartilage surface, increasing the risk of arthritis development.

Avascular necrosis (osteonecrosis)

This condition causes part of the shoulder’s “ball” to disappear. Trauma or illness cuts off the bone’s blood circulation. Without bone support, the shoulder joint eventually disintegrates as the cartilage deteriorates.

Diagnosis

One of our clinicians at The Joint Pain Clinic will conduct a physical exam to evaluate the shoulder’s range of motion and strength. They will also review your medical history along with the current symptoms you have. If needed, additional diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRI and CT scans may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis and assess the severity of the arthritis.

Our Options for Treating Shoulder Arthritis

To treat shoulder arthritis, we can prescribe anti-inflammatory medication or cortisone injections to ease pain and inflammation. We may also recommend physiotherapy or occupational therapy, which involves workouts and heat treatment.

Surgery might be an option in extreme circumstances. The patient’s age and intensity of the disorder will determine the sort of operation to be performed.

Joint replacement is a viable option for older adults with severe arthritis. A procedure to surgically repair the damaged joint, known as arthroplasty, is frequently used to address shoulder arthritis. This procedure can be either hemiarthroplasty or total shoulder arthroplasty.

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