Shoulder Arthritis Treatment

Understanding the Condition

What Is Shoulder Arthritis?

Shoulder arthritis occurs when the smooth cartilage covering the surfaces of the shoulder joint begins to deteriorate. As cartilage wears down, the bones of the joint may begin to rub against one another, leading to pain, stiffness, inflammation, and loss of mobility.

Several types of arthritis can affect the shoulder, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and arthritis that develops after a previous injury or surgery.

The shoulder contains more than one joint, but arthritis most commonly affects the glenohumeral joint, where the upper arm bone meets the shoulder socket.

Signs & Symptoms

Common Symptoms of Shoulder Arthritis

Symptoms of shoulder arthritis often develop gradually and may become more noticeable as cartilage damage progresses.

Diagnosis

Identifying the Cause of Your Shoulder Pain

Diagnosing shoulder arthritis begins with a detailed discussion of your symptoms, medical history, activity level, and any previous shoulder injuries. Your orthopedic provider will examine shoulder movement, strength, tenderness, stability, and range of motion.

X-rays are commonly used to evaluate joint-space narrowing, bone spurs, and other arthritic changes. MRI or additional imaging may be recommended when your physician needs to evaluate the rotator cuff, cartilage, tendons, or other soft tissues surrounding the shoulder.

Treatment Options

Personalized Shoulder Arthritis Treatment

Treatment depends on the severity of your arthritis, the amount of pain and stiffness you are experiencing, your activity level, and how the condition is affecting your quality of life. Many patients can initially manage their symptoms with non-surgical treatment before considering surgery.

Conservative Care

Non-Surgical Shoulder Arthritis Treatment

For mild to moderate shoulder arthritis, treatment often begins conservatively. Physical therapy may help maintain strength and mobility around the shoulder, while medications and injections may help reduce inflammation and manage pain.

The goal of non-surgical treatment is to improve function, maintain mobility, and help patients remain active while delaying or avoiding surgery when possible.

Advanced Treatment

When Is Shoulder Surgery Considered?

Surgery may be considered when shoulder arthritis becomes severe and conservative treatments no longer provide adequate relief. Patients may experience persistent pain, significant stiffness, difficulty sleeping, or increasing limitations with basic activities such as dressing, reaching, lifting, or exercising.

Depending on the condition of the joint and surrounding structures, surgical treatment may include shoulder arthroscopy or shoulder replacement. Your orthopedic surgeon will review your imaging, symptoms, activity level, overall health, and treatment history to determine whether surgery is appropriate.

Joint Replacement

Shoulder Replacement Surgery

For advanced shoulder arthritis, shoulder replacement surgery may be an option to replace damaged portions of the joint with artificial components.

Depending on the condition of the shoulder joint and rotator cuff, different types of shoulder replacement may be considered. The goal of surgery is to reduce pain and improve function and mobility in patients with advanced joint damage.

Our Specialists

Meet the ReVive Care Team

Our orthopedic team works together to determine the most appropriate next step in care based on your diagnosis, symptoms, imaging, and individual goals.

Related Conditions

Conditions Related to Shoulder Pain

Ready to Find the Cause of Your Shoulder Pain?

Schedule an orthopedic or spine evaluation with ReVive Orthopedics Spine & Sports Medicine and take the next step toward a personalized treatment plan.