Shoulder arthritis
Shoulder Condition
Shoulder arthritis
In 2011, more than 50 million people in the United States reported that they had been diagnosed with some form of arthritis, according to the National Health Interview Survey. Simply defined, arthritis is inflammation of one or more of your joints. In a diseased shoulder, inflammation causes pain and stiffness.
Five major types of arthritis typically affect the shoulder.
Also known as “wear-and-tear” arthritis, osteoarthritis is a condition that destroys the smooth outer covering (articular cartilage) of bone.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic disease that attacks multiple joints throughout the body. It is symmetrical, meaning that it usually affects the same joint on both sides of the body.
Posttraumatic arthritis is a form of osteoarthritis that develops after an injury, such as a fracture or dislocation of the shoulder.
Arthritis can also develop after a large, long-standing rotator cuff tendon tear. The torn rotator cuff can no longer hold the head of the humerus in the glenoid socket, and the humerus can move upward and rub against the acromion.
Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the shoulder is a painful condition that occurs when the blood supply to the head of the humerus is disrupted. Because bone cells die without a blood supply, AVN can ultimately lead to destruction of the shoulder joint and arthritis.
As with other arthritic conditions, initial treatment of arthritis of the shoulder is nonsurgical, consisting of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy or intra-articular injections. Your doctor may consider surgery if your pain causes disability and is not relieved with nonsurgical options.
Surgical options include arthroscopic surgery or shoulder replacement surgery. Replacement surgery options include:
- Total shoulder arthroplasty.
- Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty.
- Resection arthroplasty.
Your doctor will decide which one is best for you depending on the cause of your arthritis.
Surgical treatment of arthritis of the shoulder is generally very effective in reducing pain and restoring motion. Recovery time and rehabilitation plans depend upon the type of surgery performed.