Shoulder Osteoarthritis

What is shoulder osteoarthritis?

A artrose Shoulder osteoarthritis is characterized by the progressive loss of cartilage in this joint..

What types of osteoarthritis are there?

Two main groups can be distinguished – primary and secondary osteoarthritis.

Primary osteoarthritis is the most common type of shoulder osteoarthritis and the exact causes that lead to its appearance are not known. However, it is known that some type of genetic predisposition, repetitive microtraumas, excessive loads and aging itself are factors that can contribute to the development of shoulder osteoarthritis.

Secondary osteoarthritis has a known main cause and may be due to the after-effects of fractures, rheumatological diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or chronic rotator cuff tears.

What are the symptoms of shoulder osteoarthritis?

The main symptoms of shoulder osteoarthritis are progressive pain and stiffness , which develop slowly and manifest as disability that impacts quality of life and limits shoulder mobility. The pain may worsen throughout the day with movements and may be temporarily relieved with painkillers.

How is it diagnosed?

Plain X-rays of the shoulder allow a diagnosis of shoulder osteoarthritis in most cases. However, when it is in its early stages, it can only be seen in more detailed imaging studies, such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

How can I treat shoulder osteoarthritis?

Effective treatment for osteoarthritis should restore a shoulder with a full and painless range of motion. Conservative treatment with analgesia and rehabilitation is often the first line of treatment, and may be supplemented with injections into the joint. However, surgery for shoulder osteoarthritis may be indicated in more advanced cases and there are currently arthroplasty solutions (prostheses) with exceptional results in the treatment of this pathology.

See here for more information about surgical and non-surgical treatments for shoulder osteoarthritis.