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Shoulder arthritis is a condition that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the shoulder joint
The two most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The causes of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are very different, but they both result in pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints and can cause problems with mobility. Osteoarthritis is by far the most common type of arthritis and affects around 10.7% of the population in the UK. The percentage of people diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis is around 1%.
Some differences between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis include:
There is currently no cure for arthritis, but there are many treatments available to help ease symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.
Call or book online today to arrange a consultation to discuss private shoulder arthritis treatment with a consultant of your choice at Circle Health Group.
This page explains what shoulder arthritis is, what the symptoms are, and what treatments are available.
Symptoms of shoulder arthritis include:
The cause of your shoulder arthritis depends on the type of arthritis you have.
Osteoarthritis occurs due to wear and tear on a joint. This results in the breakdown of cartilage (a type of connective tissue that acts as a shock absorber). This causes the bones to rub against each other, resulting in pain, stiffness, and swelling around the joint. Osteoarthritis can also occur following an injury. This is known as post-traumatic arthritis.
You may have an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis if you:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells. In RA, it attacks the joint lining (the synovium) causing inflammation, stiffness, pain and swelling.
You may have an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis if you:
Non-surgical treatment is usually tried first. If there is no improvement, or your shoulder arthritis is severe, your consultant may recommend surgical treatment.
Non-surgical treatments for shoulder arthritis include:
Changes to your lifestyle and home treatments can help to relieve arthritis pain and inflammation. These include:
There are several medications available to treat shoulder arthritis. Your doctor may prescribe a combination of different medications to help ease your symptoms. Which medications you are prescribed depends on the type of arthritis you have, and how severe your symptoms are.
Medications used to treat arthritis include:
Your consultant may recommend physiotherapy to increase your muscle strength and help to keep your joints flexible. Your physiotherapist may also use other therapies, such as heat and cold packs, massage, and transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS) to help manage your pain. Our expert team of physiotherapists are skilled in assessing your individual needs and creating a tailor-made treatment plan to suit you.
If non-surgical treatments haven’t worked, your consultant may recommend surgery to repair or replace your shoulder joint. Your consultant will decide which type of surgery is best for you based on your diagnosis, age, general health, lifestyle, and expectations for treatment.
Common surgeries for shoulder arthritis include:
During this procedure, a tiny camera and surgical instruments are inserted through small incisions (cuts) in the skin to examine the shoulder joint and perform any necessary repairs, such as removal of bone fragments, cartilage, or damaged tissue. An arthroscopy can be performed for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
During shoulder replacement surgery, all, or part of the damaged joint, is replaced with an artificial (prosthetic) joint.
This is another type of shoulder replacement surgery where your consultant reverses the location of the ball and socket. Reverse shoulder replacement surgery bypasses damaged muscles and tendons and allows your other shoulder muscles to support your shoulder joint more effectively.
Your consultant will examine your shoulder for signs of swelling, redness, and tenderness and check your range of movement (how well you can move your shoulder joint).
In order to examine your shoulder joint in more detail, your consultant will probably order scans such as an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI to check the bones and soft tissue of your shoulder for any abnormalities or signs of disease.
If rheumatoid arthritis is suspected, your consultant will order some blood tests to confirm or rule out the condition.
A diagnosis of shoulder arthritis is made using a combination of your symptoms, physical examination, and any tests or scans.
Your first consultation is important because it’s where your surgeon will assess your symptoms, provide a diagnosis, and recommend a suitable treatment.
At Circle Health Group, it’s important for us to spend this one-on-one time with you, to get to know you and your expectations for treatment.
Once a diagnosis is made, your consultant will recommend the best treatment options based on your diagnosis, general health, lifestyle, and preferences.
We want you to be as well-informed and comfortable as possible during your time with us, so please feel free to ask any questions, or discuss any concerns you may have with your consultant during your appointment. It’s a good idea to write down any questions you have before your consultation.
If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about shoulder arthritis treatment, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.
Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in January 2024. Next review due January 2027.