What it is
Arthritis of the shoulder means the smooth cartilage lining the ball and socket has worn thin. The joint becomes painful, stiff and often noisy. It can follow years of heavy use, previous injury or repeated dislocations, and sometimes it simply happens with time.
How it usually presents
- A deep ache in the shoulder, often worse with activity and at night
- Gradual loss of rotation, so reaching behind you becomes difficult
- Grinding or crunching through the arc of movement
How it is assessed
History and examination, with an X-ray to show the joint space and shape of the bone. A CT or MRI scan is sometimes added when planning treatment.
Treatment options
- Activity modification and pain relief
- Physiotherapy to maintain movement and shoulder blade control
- Guided injections for symptom relief
- Joint replacement (anatomic or reverse) when symptoms justify it
Non-surgical treatment is considered first wherever it is reasonable. Which option suits you depends on your symptoms, your goals and what you want from treatment, which is exactly what we discuss in clinic.
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