Learn about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of shoulder osteoarthritis.
“Degenerative” literally means the decline of the body's functions with age. Osteoarthritis is a condition in which these degenerative changes wear down the joint and cause inflammation, leading to pain or limited movement. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder is relatively uncommon.
- Pain and inflammation caused by the age-related decline of body functions
- Injury, joint damage or tears can accelerate degeneration
- Common from the age of 50
A characteristic symptom of shoulder osteoarthritis is that the pain gets worse as shoulder activity increases. As with other shoulder conditions, shoulder movement is limited, range of motion decreases, and inflammation can cause pain.
In most cases, it can be identified and diagnosed through a regular examination, consultation and X-ray findings. If symptoms are severe or chronic, CT or MRI may be used to accurately assess deformity of the joint surface and damage to the socket and joint.
Basic non-surgical conservative treatment usually brings improvement. If the condition has become chronic or the cartilage is severely damaged by arthritis, arthroscopic surgery or shoulder replacement surgery may be performed.
In the early stage, medication is used to reduce inflammation
Conservative treatment with physical therapy and exercise therapy to strengthen muscles, along with stretching
Arthroscopic surgery if there is serious damage or inflammation of the joint cartilage
Shoulder replacement surgery for patients, such as older adults, whose joint is almost completely worn away
