Topics > Shoulder > Shoulder Arthritis
Shoulder Arthritis
Typically, arthritis of the shoulder occurs when the cartilage over
the glenohumeral joint surfaces (the ball-and-socket joint) is lost.
The degeneration of the cartilage is caused by three types of arthritis:
- Osteoarthritis
is caused by gradual wear and tear that occurs with age and/or overuse.
- Rheumatoid
arthritis is a disease in which the body’s immune
system attacks its own cartilage and destroys it.
- Post traumatic arthritis
happens after significant trauma, like a car accident, or repeated
injury.
Pain is a common presenting symptom of shoulder arthritis, usually coupled
with stiffness. Some individuals find that they can no longer use the
affected shoulder to do their normal activities, like combing their hair,
because of a limited range of motion. Commonly, the patient reports that
they can no longer sleep on the affected side without pain. Some even
notice a grinding feeling, the direct contact of the two bony surfaces,
when they move their shoulder. Among individuals the symptoms and progression
of arthritis can vary greatly, however the disease usually gets worse
with time.
Treatment of arthritis of the shoulder depends on the type
of arthritis present. Osteoarthritis is most often treated with non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAIDS), such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Rheumatoid arthritis
may require additional medicine, such as corticosteroids and/or disease
modifying
drugs like methotrexate. However in either case initial treatment is
conservative and should include:
- Rest or change of activities to lessen
the pain.
- If exercises are not too painful, they may be helpful in maintaining
the flexibility and strength of joints with arthritis.
- Ice the shoulder
for 20-30 minutes two to three times a day to reduce inflammation
and pain.
- Dietary supplements such as glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate
may be helpful.
There are surgical options if conservative treatment
fails to relieve symptoms including replacing the entire shoulder joint
with a prosthesis
(total shoulder arthroplasty) or by replacing the head of the upper
arm bone (hemiarthroplasty).
