Symptoms include pain, stiffness, decreased range of motion and popping, clicking and grinding noises in your shoulder joint. Treatments range from pain-relieving home remedies, such as ice, heat and exercises, to surgery.
Pain in the shoulder joint is the major sign of arthritis. It can be present in the front, side or back of the shoulder. Some people have pain even when they are not using the arm, and some have pain only when using it. Arthritis pain can occur at any time of day and can be present with or without shoulder stiffness.
Although there is no cure for arthritis of the shoulder, there are many treatment options available. Using these, most people with arthritis are able to manage pain and stay active.
How Common is Shoulder Arthritis? Due to natural wear and tear that can take place within the shoulder joint with age, shoulder osteoarthritis commonly affects people over the age of 50 years old. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder affects 30 percent of people over the age of 60.
During a physical exam, your doctor visually examines your shoulder for signs of osteoarthritis. He or she may carefully move your shoulder and arm to assess the range of motion and listen for any cracking or popping noises in the joint, called crepitus, that may indicate joint damage.
However, as in the hip and knee, the loss of cartilage that characterizes shoulder arthritis is frequently a source of severe pain, limited function, joint stiffness, and significant diminishment of quality of life.
Weight lifting when you have arthritis is very good, in fact, and here's why. Weight lifting is a form of strength training that helps keep your muscles strong — and strong muscles support your joints.
Shoulder arthritis can be made worse by activities that include lifting heavy objects or raising the arms above the head. However, too much reduction in physical activity can be harmful, as it is important to maintain strength and range of motion in joints affected by arthritis.
Side sleepers should lie on the side that is not painful and place a thick pillow under the arm of the painful shoulder to keep it elevated. Shift the shoulder back instead of letting it slump forward if possible. When back sleeping, place a pillow under each arm. This can also be helpful for elbow pain, says Picard.
The most common cause of shoulder arthritis is osteoarthritis. This particular form is the result of degeneration within the joint over time. With years of regular wear and tear, cartilage begins to weaken and eventually wears away. In the most severe cases, there may be no cartilage left in the joint at all.
Untreated arthritis will add to the degradation of the structures in and around the joint leading to more and more pain and a loss of function. The progression of arthritis may lead to requiring a total joint replacement.
Joint replacement surgery is the only treatment option available that can cure osteoarthritis: arthritis cannot develop in the new joint's plastic and metal materials. A total joint replacement also eliminates the root cause of pain and limited mobility by providing a new, fully functioning joint.
While there is currently no cure for arthritis of the shoulder, treatment options are available to help you live with shoulder arthritis, manage the pain and stay active. These include: Modifying or reducing the overhead use of your arms. Targeted exercises and physical therapy programs.
It most commonly starts among people between the ages of 40 and 60. It's more common in women than men. There are drugs that can slow down an over-active immune system and therefore reduce the pain and swelling in joints. These are called disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and include biological therapies.
Activities to Avoid with Shoulder Impingement
Weightlifting (especially overhead presses or pull downs) is problematic, so avoid that until you are cleared. Avoid swimming entirely until you have recovered. Avoid activities that keep your elbow from being aligned to your side.
Osteoarthritis is caused by the wear and tear of the joint over time or because of overuse. Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma are caused by the body's immune system attacking the body's own tissues. Gout is caused by the buildup of crystals in the joints. Some forms of arthritis can be linked to genes.
After surgery, your arm and shoulder will be in a sling for approximately four to six weeks. Your doctor will recommend that you get plenty of rest during this time. From day one, your surgeon will work with you on specific range-of-motion exercises to regain mobility without damaging the shoulder while it heals.
Most cases of arthritis are treated without surgery. However, if the joint damage is so severe that the patient's pain is unmanageable or significantly impacting quality of life, a specific shoulder procedure may be recommended.
Pain from arthritis can be constant or it may come and go. It may occur when at rest or while moving. Pain may be in one part of the body or in many different parts. Some types of arthritis cause the skin over the affected joint to become red and swollen, feeling warm to the touch.
The most common triggers of an OA flare are overdoing an activity or trauma to the joint. Other triggers can include bone spurs, stress, repetitive motions, cold weather, a change in barometric pressure, an infection or weight gain. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory disease that affects the skin and joints.