Shoulder Osteoarthritis
What is Shoulder Osteoarthritis?
Shoulder osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease of the shoulder, is the gradual “wear and tear” of cartilage in the shoulder. Shoulder osteoarthritis affects up to 33% of patients over the age of 60. This condition is often painful and limits patient’s range of motion and ability to comfortably move their shoulder.
What causes Shoulder Osteoarthritis?
Shoulder osteoarthritis most often occurs in people who are over 50 years old. However, shoulder osteoarthritis can be seen in younger people due to an injury or trauma, such as a fracture or dislocated shoulder. Osteoarthritis can also run in families.
How is Shoulder Osteoarthritis diagnosed?
To diagnose shoulder osteoarthritis, a thorough history and physical exam is completed by your doctor to assess for pain, tenderness, and loss of motion. Your doctor may also ask questions about how long your symptoms have been occurring, and any history of recent shoulder injuries or trauma.
Medical imaging can also be done to look at the severity of the shoulder arthritis and rule out other possible causes of pain. An X-ray of your shoulder can show if there is a loss of space between the shoulder head and the glenoid, or “socket.” A loss of joint space means there is a loss of cartilage. If X-rays do not give a clear cause, an MRI can also be done.
How is Shoulder Osteoarthritis Treated
Unfortunately, there is no cure for shoulder osteoarthritis. But there are treatments that can help manage symptoms and keep people as active as possible. Physical therapy is a great way to stretch and strengthen the muscles that support your shoulder. Pain reliever medications like acetaminophen and anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) can also be used to ease pain.