Arthritis is a common complaint of most seniors, especially during cold weather. But contrary to popular belief, arthritis does not only affect the elderly population. It can affect the joints of anybody, even young, active, and athletic individuals.
In fact, studies suggest that the majority of the people diagnosed with arthritis are from the age bracket of 25 years and older. Additionally, there are several types of arthritis that can affect the different joints in the body, including your shoulder.
So, if you are one of the hundreds of Americans who experiences shoulder pain, then it’s time to make an appointment with a shoulder specialist in Miami to check for arthritis. Keep reading below for a rundown of the types, symptoms, causes, and treatment options of shoulder arthritis.
What Is Shoulder Arthritis?
Arthritis refers to a condition that causes one or multiple joints to swell or become inflamed. As a result, this can cause the affected joints to become severely painful and stiff, making it challenging to perform supposedly simple tasks.
Anatomically, arthritis in the shoulder affects the cartilage or the protective covering inside the shoulder joints. As it gets damaged, the bones that make up the shoulder’s ball (head of the upper arm bone) and socket (shoulder blade) joint gets exposed, causing them to rub against each other with every movement.
Generally, shoulder arthritis develops gradually in three phases. First, the cartilage cover becomes soft and pliable to wear and tear. Second, it will produce small superficial cracks. Finally, over time, these cracks will affect the deeper layers of the cartilage until they eventually break down and expose the bones.
What Are the Five Types of Shoulder Arthritis?
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, there are many types of arthritis that can affect the shoulder. Each of these distinct conditions may cause arthritis and damage the joints differently.
Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder
Shoulder osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis that affects 1 in 3 seniors worldwide. It involves the gradual deterioration of the shoulder joint cartilage and inflammation of the joint capsule. With a damaged covering, friction in the shoulder joint increases, thus causing pain and stiffness when moving.
Osteoarthritis primarily develops because of the normal tissue breakdown that happens as a person ages. It can also happen to seniors who overuse their shoulders during their prime years (e.g., athletes, occupation).
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of autoimmune disease that can affect any structure or organ in the body. This type of arthritic disease happens when your immune system attacks your own healthy tissues, mistaking it for a foreign invader.
In response, the immune system will create antibodies that will destroy the lining of your shoulder joints. This leads to the deterioration of joint tissues and damage in the bones. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect anybody regardless of age, gender, and lifestyle behavior.
Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy
Another reason to develop arthritis in the shoulder is a traumatic injury, such as a rotator cuff tear.
The rotator cuff muscles are a bunch of tendons that surround the shoulder joint, keeping the head firmly attached to the socket. But if one of these tendons gets torn, then the humeral head may rub against the surface of the other bones, causing arthritis.
Post-Traumatic Shoulder Arthritis
Other shoulder injuries, such as fractures and dislocations, may also cause arthritis over time.
Avascular Necrosis
Avascular necrosis refers to a condition wherein a specific area of the body loses its blood supply. When the blood supply to the shoulder joint gets disrupted, the bone tissues in the area will die and collapse. This results in an uneven humeral head that eventually causes damage to the socket, developing arthritis in the process.
What Are Shoulder Arthritis Symptoms?
Symptoms of shoulder arthritis may vary depending on the severity of the damage to the joints. But in general, some of the most common signs and symptoms of this condition include:
- Pain in the shoulder joint is a significant indicator of arthritis. These aches may vary in location, but all of them are equally painful, especially during movement. Arthritis affecting the glenohumeral joint mostly features pain in the side and back of the shoulder. On the other hand, individuals with acromioclavicular joint arthritis can feel the pain on top of the shoulder, sometimes up onto the neck area.
- Stiffness in the shoulder area
- Crepitus or the grinding or clicking sound
- Limited range of motion
How Can You Treat Your Shoulder Arthritis?
An orthopedic specialist can diagnose shoulder arthritis through your medical history, a series of physical examinations, and imaging tests (e.g., X-ray). Once a diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor will create a treatment plan depending on the type of your arthritis and its severity. Patients usually have two treatment options: non-surgical and surgical.
Non-Surgical Treatment
Initially, arthritis in the shoulder joints is treated using non-operative means. Your doctor may prescribe or recommend one or more of these conservative treatment options:
- Physical therapy exercises to restore normal range of motion and prevent the joints from further deterioration.
- Lifestyle modifications or changes in activities to manage pain and prevent further damage.
- Pain and inflammation management techniques include icing, moist heat, NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections, and dietary supplements.
Surgical Treatment
For severe cases of shoulder arthritis, doctors resort to surgical procedures, such as:
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Shoulder arthroscopy
Should arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that removes damaged tissues and cleans the joint area. This can bring pain relief for 12 to 24 months or more, but it cannot eliminate arthritis itself.
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Shoulder joint replacement or arthroplasty
Arthroplasty refers to a procedure wherein damaged joints are replaced with artificial parts. There are different kinds of replacement surgery depending on the specific joint areas that need replacing.
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Resection arthroplasty
Resection arthroplasty is a surgical operation used to treat arthritis affecting the acromioclavicular joint. The surgeon removes a small part of the collar bone to prevent it from rubbing against the acromion, thus treating arthritis.
Where to Find the Best South Florida Orthopedics Center?
If you are looking for an orthopedic specialist to check on your painful shoulders, then you can come by anytime at South Florida International Orthopaedics, PA.
Our South Florida-based orthopedic center provides one of the most comprehensive and individualized orthopedic care in the area. We can guarantee your treatment and full recovery from your condition through our high-quality services and state-of-the-art technologies.
Besides arthritis, our expert orthopedic specialists can also treat other shoulder-related conditions, such as:
- Rotator cuff tear
- Bursitis in the shoulder
- Shoulder dislocation
- Labral tears
- Fracture in the shoulder
And more!
Get in touch with our orthopedic specialists of sports medicine in Miami by giving us a call at (305) 233-0011 or scheduling an appointment.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
