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Find out how shoulder osteoarthritis can be treated and what to expect from your recovery
involves wearing or thinning of the smooth cartilage joint surfaces as well as stiffening to the soft tissue surrounding the joint. These aspects combine to produce swelling, inflammation and pain.
Several factors normally combine to cause symptoms of osteoarthritis:
As it is not a weight-bearing joint, significant shoulder osteoarthritis often develops in individuals who have sustained previous trauma to the joint or who have been involved with repetitive manual overhead work.
The presence of shoulder osteoarthritis does not always cause pain so it is quite possible to be pain-free despite reasonably advanced arthritis. In addition, the shoulder undergoes a ‘wear and repair cycle’ so pain can improve with appropriate treatment.
The main aggravating activities include pain with movements of the arm above the head or behind the back. There may also be pain when sleeping on your side.
If shoulder osteoarthritis becomes more severe the movements of the shoulder may become increasingly stiff with reduced range of movement.
The main feature on examination is often a reduced range of movement.
X-rays are not routinely required but may be requested if symptoms are severe enough that corticosteroid injections or shoulder surgery is being considered.
As the condition is often triggered by movement, activity modification and avoidance of aggravating activities is important.
In the majority of cases, shoulder osteoarthritis can be managed effectively by following a regular exercise routine to maintain flexibility and strength to the affected shoulder joint:
[shoulder ER supine stick mobilisation in 0 video] 5×30 second holds, 2x per day [shoulder active assisted walking up wall flexions video] 5×30 second holds, 2x per day [NEW shoulder static ER against pilates ball video] 10x 5-10 second holds, 3-4x per weekThese are suggested exercises only. If you are at all concerned about whether these exercises are suitable for you or if you experience any pain while doing them, please seek appropriate clinical advice from your GP or Physiotherapist.
Over-the-counter analgesia is available through pharmacies when needed. Paracetamol is most commonly prescribed. Anti-inflammatories, such as Ibuprofen, are also used, but as there is little or no inflammation involved in osteoarthritis these are best avoided without discussing with your GP. Side effects are even more common than with paracetamol so please ensure to take appropriate medical advice. There is a good booklet on the Arthritis Research UK website with information about the various drug options.
For individuals with shoulder joint osteoarthritis who continue to suffer disabling symptoms in spite a course of non-surgical management (outlined above) or for patients who are unable to commence a supervised exercise program due to pain levels, a corticosteroid injection can be offered. You can read more about local corticosteroid injections here.
Total shoulder replacement surgery can be an option for patients with advanced shoulder osteoarthritis. It is, however, a major operation with a prolonged period of rehabilitation and is not always successful. It requires careful patient selection by the surgeon to obtain best results.
It may be considered in patients who:
You may be asked to complete a shoulder questionnaire. This can help the clinician assess the impact of your symptoms which can be useful in assessing suitability for surgery.
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
MA BM BCh FRCS (Orth)
Bath Clinic
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
MBBCh (Hons), MSc (Ortho), MD (Ortho), MRCS, FRCS (Tr & Orth)
The Lancaster Hospital
Consultant Rheumatologist
MB ChB, MRCP (UK), FRCP (Lond.), FRCP (Edin.), FRCP (Glas.)
Sarum Road Hospital
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
BSc (Hons), MBBS, MRCS, FRCS (Tr & Orth)
The Highfield Hospital
Consultant Sport & Exercise Medicine Physician
MBBS, MRCGP, MSC(Sport & Exercise Medicine), FFSEM (UK), PGC (Musculoskeletal Ultrasound)
The London Independent Hospital
Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon
MBBS, FRCS (Tr & Orth), European Diploma in Hand Surgery
The Meriden Hospital 1 more The Priory Hospital