Shoulder Arthritis

What is shoulder arthritis?

Shoulder arthritis is a common and sometimes painful, degenerative joint disease that affects the shoulder socket and humeral head in the human body. An Austin shoulder arthritis doctor can evaluate arthritis of the shoulder, an inflamed joint condition that can affect one or both of your shoulder joints: the AC joint (acromioclavicular joint) and the glenohumeral joint. These are two joints that form part of the ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder, the most flexible joint in the human body, crucial for maintaining range of motion and shoulder mobility.

Five main types of arthritis can affect the shoulder bones: osteoarthritis of the shoulder, rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, rotator cuff tear arthropathy (from a large rotator cuff tear involving the four rotator cuff muscles and tendons), and avascular necrosis. While there is no cure for an arthritic shoulder, with the right shoulder arthritis treatment options from an Austin shoulder arthritis doctor and sports medicine physician, including medical treatment such as corticosteroid injections and physical therapy, you can manage shoulder arthritis symptoms, reduce inflammation, and maintain an active lifestyle to achieve pain relief.

This article will guide you through the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options available from an Austin shoulder arthritis specialist to help manage your condition effectively.

What causes shoulder arthritis?

Many types of arthritis can affect the shoulder joint, each caused by varying factors. Some of the most common forms that impact the glenohumeral shoulder joint are:

• Osteoarthritis — which is caused by the gradual “wear and tear” of articular cartilage due to repetitive motions and degenerative changes. This type of arthritis is generally seen in people over the age of 50 and is a leading cause of shoulder stiffness, joint pain, and decreased range of motion that causes difficulty with arm movement and normal use
• Rheumatoid arthritis — an inflammatory arthritis and autoimmune chronic disease that occurs when the immune system attacks the ligaments surrounding the normal tissue and the surrounding soft tissues of your body, leading to inflammation and damage that can affect other joints as well. This painful condition can contribute to limited motion and decreased shoulder stability.
• Posttraumatic arthritis — which is caused by trauma or previous shoulder injuries such as dislocations and fractures, and can accelerate cartilage wear and shoulder joint degeneration, sometimes leading to shoulder instability that may require surgical techniques for repair.
• Rotator cuff tear arthropathy — which occurs when there is a large rotator cuff tear and the rotator cuff tendons can no longer stabilize the arm bone, causing the humeral head to rub against the top of the shoulder blade. This friction can cause bone spurs, scar tissue, and progressive arthritis, contributing to shoulder arthritis pain and reduced range of motion, often treated with rotator cuff repair and arthroscopic surgery, using small incisions.
• Avascular necrosis — a condition that causes a cut-off of blood supply, which can lead to smooth cartilage loss, bone cell death, and degeneration of the upper arm bone, often requiring joint replacement surgery, including adult reconstructive surgery or open surgery, to restore shoulder mobility and full function.

What are the common signs and symptoms of arthritis of the shoulder?

The most notable sign of shoulder arthritis is shoulder pain, which is a common symptom that causes pain and limits daily activities, including sports activities and overhead activities. Depending on which shoulder joint is affected, pain will vary. If the glenohumeral shoulder joint is impacted, severe pain may be felt in the back of the shoulder and sometimes worsens with certain weather conditions.

When the acromioclavicular (AC) shoulder joint is affected, pain is typically felt at the surface of the shoulder. If both the glenohumeral joint and AC joint are affected, pain may be felt in multiple areas of the shoulder, sometimes accompanied by stiffness and limited range of motion, which can contribute to frozen shoulder symptoms.

If you are suffering from an arthritic shoulder, you may also experience a decreased or limited range of shoulder movement, which can make it difficult to keep the shoulder mobile and achieve a full range of motion. Routine tasks that require you to raise or elevate your arm may seem more challenging, and, in some cases, you may notice a “snapping” or crepitus sound when you move your shoulder, caused by an irregular cartilage surface, bone spurs, or a labral tear.

With time, symptoms of shoulder arthritis pain may intensify, and the slightest arm movement may trigger pain, even during the night or when at rest, leading to shoulder stiffness and difficulty sleeping on the affected shoulder, sometimes requiring anti-inflammatory medication for pain management.

How is shoulder arthritis diagnosed?

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms or believe you have shoulder arthritis, an evaluation by an experienced Austin shoulder arthritis surgeon specializing in orthopedic care can help determine the cause of your symptoms. To help diagnose shoulder arthritis, your doctor will begin by going over your medical history and symptoms, including any history of high blood pressure or other medical conditions that could affect treatment options, as well as any previous injuries or involvement in contact sports. Next, the Austin shoulder arthritis specialist will perform various physical exams to help assess your muscle strength, mobility, range of motion, and degree of pain.

To ensure that your symptoms are not the result of similar shoulder conditions and to help confirm a shoulder arthritis diagnosis, your doctor may need to perform additional testing. Additional testing may include imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to provide in-depth imaging and check for cartilage loss, joint space narrowing, and associated issues like slap tears or bicep tendon involvement. These tests help guide the Austin shoulder arthritis specialist in recommending surgery or other treatment options based on the severity and specific diagnosis.

How is shoulder arthritis treated?

If you are suffering from shoulder arthritis and are seeking pain relief, there are both nonsurgical treatment and shoulder surgery options available. Based on factors such as your activity level, symptoms, and the need for adequate relief, shoulder arthritis treatment will vary.

Here at our practice, whenever possible, we aim to first recommend initial treatment with nonsurgical treatment methods like R.I.C.E (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) or physical therapy to help restore mobility, reduce pain, and prevent progression of damage. Options may include:

• Resting and avoiding activities that cause shoulder pain to reduce inflammation and protect healthy tissues
• Over-the-counter medications or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to manage swelling and pain signals
• Physical therapy and exercise, including range-of-motion exercises, to improve muscle strength, shoulder joint motion, and shoulder mobility
• Steroid injections into the joint space to provide short-term pain relief and reduce inflammation
• Icing or using moist heat two or three times per day to help manage pain and reduce swelling
• Dietary supplements such as chondroitin sulfate (though scientific evidence is limited, some patients test dietary supplements)

When nonsurgical shoulder arthritis treatment options are ineffective, we specialize in and offer surgical treatment options such as a minimally invasive surgery like arthroscopy, open shoulder surgery (arthroscopy uses small incisions; open shoulder surgery involves a large incision for direct access), or reverse total shoulder replacement surgery performed under general anesthesia to help relieve pain. The Bankart procedure restores shoulder stability after dislocations. Platelet-rich plasma therapy may also be used to help promote healing, alleviate pain, and enhance recovery time. Platelet-rich plasma injections promote healing and reduce pain.

Recovery from shoulder surgery varies by procedure type. Most patients begin physical therapy within weeks after surgery, with many patients returning to light activity within 2 to 4 weeks and continuing rehabilitation for 3 to 6 months to achieve better outcomes. Pain management is crucial in the first one to two weeks. Full recovery can take 6 to 12 months for complex procedures.

Schedule A Consultation With an Austin Shoulder Arthritis Doctor

If you are experiencing symptoms of shoulder arthritis and are searching for shoulder arthritis treatment or shoulder replacement surgery in the Austin area, a consultation with a doctor in Austin may be the first step towards diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. M. Tyrrell Burrus, MD, is an experienced, fellowship-trained surgeon, specializing in sports medicine and shoulder surgery, and dedicated to providing high-quality, specialized care, including shoulder arthroscopy, shoulder replacement surgery (using artificial components for damaged joints), and treatment for impingement, labrum tears, and arthritis when needed.

Call (512) 324-9170 or fill out the form on this page to schedule an appointment for expert evaluation and management of your shoulder arthritis pain.