What is Shoulder Arthritis?
Shoulder arthritis is a type of degenerative joint disease that causes the shoulder's cartilage to progressively get worse. Because of this, shoulder arthritis can cause shoulder pain, shoulder swelling and, in some cases, bone spurs.
Shoulder arthritis can affect patients' quality of life. Because of this, it's important to see an SOS shoulder specialist if you or a loved one experience shoulder pain that may be related to shoulder arthritis.
Shoulder Arthritis Causes
Generally, shoulder arthritis is more common with aging, and typically an issue for people who are over the age of 50. However, younger people can also develop shoulder arthritis from a shoulder injury.
Common causes of shoulder arthritis include, but are not limited to:
- Aging
- A shoulder fracture
- A dislocated shoulder
- A serious injury to the shoulder
Shoulder Arthritis Symptoms
Shoulder arthritis symptoms may vary from one patient to the next. However, common shoulder arthritis symptoms include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- Shoulder pain
- Shoulder pain when moving the shoulder or after moving the shoulder
- Shoulder pain while sleeping
- Limited range of motion in the shoulder
- A clicking noise occurs when the shoulder is moved
If you or a loved one experience shoulder pain or other shoulder arthritis symptoms, an SOS shoulder specialist can provide total orthopedic care to help improve your quality of life.
Shoulder Arthritis Diagnosis
Common methods for shoulder arthritis diagnosis include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- A shoulder doctor performing a physical exam, as well as an evaluation of patient medical history
- A shoulder doctor assessing a patient's shoulder pain, tenderness and loss of motion
- X-Rays
- Blood tests
- Analyzing synovial fluid
- MRI scans
Shoulder Arthritis Treatment and Shoulder Pain Relief
Shoulder arthritis treatment is highly individualized for each patient's specific medical needs. However, common shoulder arthritis treatment options include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- Resting the shoulder joint
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Physical therapy
- Range-of-motion exercises
- Moist heat being applied to the shoulder
- Ice being applied to the shoulder
- Surgery, when necessary, including joint replacement surgery
If you or a loved one experience shoulder arthritis or associated shoulder pain, it's important to seek care from an experienced shoulder specialist. The SOS team of shoulder doctors provide total orthopedic care for patients with shoulder arthritis and shoulder pain.
To see an SOS shoulder doctor about shoulder arthritis or shoulder pain...