Shoulder Arthritis

Dr Marcus Chia - Shoulder Surgeon

Learn about shoulder arthritis causes and treatment options.

What is shoulder arthritis?

Shoulder arthritis occurs when the cartilage in your shoulder joints breaks down. Arthritis is a common condition causing joint inflammation. There are two joints in your shoulder:

  • Acromioclavicular (AC) joint – where the collarbone meets the tip of the shoulder blade
  • Glenohumeral joint – where the head of the humerus fits into the scapula and humerus is a ball and socket joint.

Shoulder arthritis can affect one or both joints, depending on the type. There are several different types of shoulder arthritis:

  • Osteoarthritis – the most common form of shoulder arthritis, occurring when the cartilage covering the shoulder joint wears away due to ageing
  • Rheumatoid arthritis – an autoimmune disease that affects many locations throughout the body and commonly impacts both shoulder joints
  • Posttraumatic arthritis – arthritis that develops after a traumatic injury, like a shoulder fracture or dislocation
  • Rotator cuff tear arthropathy – arthritis that develops after a torn rotator cuff
  • Avascular necrosis – arthritis that develops when blood supply to the humerus is disrupted.

Your treatment will depend on the type of arthritis you have, the joint that is affected and any other health conditions or concerns.

What are the symptoms of shoulder arthritis?

The most common symptom of shoulder arthritis is pain. This pain may feel like a deep ache in the joint. Pain can occur in different locations in the shoulder, depending on the type of arthritis you have. The pain may also radiate to other nearby areas, such as the neck.

The pain may be more noticeable with movement, exercise or sleeping, and it can get worse over time.

If you have shoulder arthritis, you may also experience a limited range of motion. You may find it difficult or painful to lift your arm.

What causes shoulder arthritis?

There are different causes for the various types of shoulder arthritis, including:

  • Ageing – a common cause of osteoarthritis in the shoulder, due to wear and tear in the shoulder joint
  • Autoimmune disease – people with rheumatoid arthritis in the shoulder often have an underlying autoimmune disease
  • Injury or accident – a shoulder injury can cause posttraumatic arthritis, rotator cuff tear arthropathy or avascular necrosis.
How do I know if I have shoulder arthritis?

If Dr Chia suspects you may have shoulder arthritis, he will perform a physical examination and discuss your symptoms. You will need an X-Ray to determine what type of shoulder arthritis you have and how much bone is impacted. You may also need a CT scan.

If you are diagnosed with shoulder arthritis, Dr Chia will discuss your treatment options and next steps / Develop a plan to help you reduce your symptoms and recover.

What are the treatment options for shoulder arthritis?

There are surgical and non-surgical treatment options for shoulder arthritis.

Non-surgical options

Many people with shoulder arthritis don’t need surgery and can manage their symptoms with:

  • Rest and activity modification – avoiding activities that worsen pain
  • Anti-inflammatory medications – both oral and injections
  • Physiotherapy exercises – guided by your health professional.

Dr Chia will develop a personalised treatment plan with exercises and steps to help you regain your motion.

Surgical options

If you aren’t able to relieve your symptoms through non-surgical treatment options, or if your shoulder arthritis is severe, you may need surgery.

Shoulder replacement surgery, also called shoulder arthroplasty, is a successful treatment for shoulder arthritis. Shoulder replacement surgery replaces the ball and socket in the shoulder joint. During the surgery, Dr Chia removes the ball in your shoulder joint and attaches a metal ball in its place, and covers the socket with a plastic surface.

You can have a total shoulder replacement surgery, or partial surgery in which only the ball is replaced.

Shoulder replacement surgery aims to restore the normal anatomy of the joint, and you need a well-functioning rotator cuff to restore your shoulder function.

If your rotator cuff is torn, you will need a different type of surgery called a reverse shoulder replacement surgery. This type of surgery is also done on people who have had previous shoulder surgery that didn’t work.

The metal ball gets attached to your shoulder bones, and a socket is implanted at the top of your arm.

Shoulder replacement surgery is serious surgical procedure, and you will need time to heal and recover. You will have follow-up with a physiotherapist who can assist your healing and give you gentle exercises to gradually rehabilitate your shoulder and help your recovery.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. The information provided here is for general educational purposes only. For more information on shoulder arthritis and shoulder arthroplasty, please contact the office of Dr Marcus Chia - Sydney Orthopaedic Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon.

For appointments and enquiries, please phone (02) 8014 4252

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Suite 20, Level 7
Northern Beaches Hospital
105 Frenchs Forest Road
Frenchs Forest NSW 2086

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Suite 502, 20 Bungan Street
Mona Vale NSW 2103

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Suite 1, 402 Military Road
Cremorne NSW 2090

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Suite 403, Level 4
San Clinic
Sydney Adventist Hospital
185 Fox Valley Road
Wahroonga NSW 2076

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