What is Shoulder Osteoarthritis (Shoulder Arthritis)? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

What is Shoulder Osteoarthritis? Symptoms and Treatment Methods

Known commonly among the public as shoulder calcification, the medical term for this disease is shoulder arthritis. Shoulder arthritis develops as a result of damage to the cartilage in the shoulder joint, leading to restricted movement over time. While the cartilage in the shoulder joint first sustains superficial damage, over time, breakdown and wear occur in deeper areas as well.

What is Shoulder Osteoarthritis?

Shoulder osteoarthritis emerges as the cartilage wears down and deteriorates over time due to factors such as aging and trauma. Cartilage covers the surface of the bones inside the joints in the shoulder and prevents friction-related wear. The cartilage structure is approximately 2 to 3 millimeters thick and serves to soften the contact between bones.

Shoulder osteoarthritis does not form suddenly; rather, it develops in stages. First, softening occurs in the cartilage tissue, and cracks form on the surface area. Afterward, degradation and flaking take place. In the final stage, the cartilage tissue wears away, leaving the bone exposed in places. Along with this wear, movement of the joint becomes restricted, and pain begins.

It is generally difficult to predict how far shoulder osteoarthritis can progress or to what extent it will restrict movement. The degree of arthritis varies from person to person, and symptoms differ depending on the stress to which the shoulder is exposed.

What Are the Symptoms of Shoulder Osteoarthritis?

Shoulder osteoarthritis manifests with different symptoms depending on the progression degree of the disease. Although the most typical symptom is shoulder pain, other common symptoms of shoulder osteoarthritis include:

● Pain in the shoulder joint: The most typical symptom of osteoarthritis is pain in the shoulder joint. The pain can be felt noticeably in the front, back, or side of the shoulder. While the pain mostly occurs with movement, it can also manifest at rest in some individuals. The pain generally does not remain only in the shoulder area and occasionally radiates toward the elbow and wrist.

● Joint stiffness: Joint stiffness is a condition encountered in the later stages of osteoarthritis. As the loss of movement in the shoulder increases, the stiffness is felt more intensely. It is also referred to as joint solidification.

● Hearing sounds during movement: Since the cartilage surface becomes irregular and rough over time in shoulder osteoarthritis, a grinding sound may be heard during joint movement. In fact, some patients state that after hearing this sound, movement stops completely and a type of locking occurs.

How is Shoulder Osteoarthritis Diagnosed?

Imaging methods are generally utilized in the diagnosis of shoulder osteoarthritis. These methods include:

● X-rays: X-rays are one of the most frequently utilized and high-imaging methods for visualizing the bone and joint region. For this purpose, regular X-rays are most commonly used. Although cartilage cannot be observed directly, an idea about the wear level of the cartilage can be formed from the amount of space between the bones and joints.

● Computed tomography (CT): Computed tomography is a computer program-supported diagnostic method that uses special X-rays and provides more detailed information than a standard X-ray. Computed tomography scans are frequently requested before surgical procedures.

● Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRI is a diagnostic method that allows the visualization of soft tissues.

What Are the Treatment Methods for Shoulder Osteoarthritis?

In the treatment of shoulder osteoarthritis, help is sought from three different methods: lifestyle changes, medical treatment, and surgical intervention. To select the appropriate method in treatment, a detailed evaluation of the patient's condition is performed by an expert physician in the field. At this stage, it is of great importance that the individual needs of the patient are correctly evaluated and the correct treatment is applied by successful doctors in their field. The methods used in treatment are as follows:

● Home care and lifestyle changes: Performing shoulder exercises at home under the guidance of a physiotherapist or orthopedist supports the treatment. Efforts are made to prevent progressive movement restriction. In addition, avoiding aggressive and athletic activities that will trigger shoulder pain and increase wear in that region ensures that the osteoarthritis slows down.

● Medical treatment: Medical drugs in the treatment of shoulder osteoarthritis generally show a symptomatic effect. That is, they do not contribute directly to the treatment, but they aim to increase the quality of life by preventing symptoms such as pain, locking, and edema. Analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are utilized in the medical treatment of shoulder osteoarthritis. These drugs should be used in doses and amounts controlled by a doctor against potential side effects. In medical treatment, injections into the shoulder region may also be preferred. Cortisone injections are most frequently used for this purpose. The injection of cortisone-containing drugs into the shoulder area ensures the suppression of pain and inflammation. Although this method yields very good results initially, symptoms return within a few months, and the injection may need to be repeated.

● Surgical intervention: If pain and inflammation conditions do not ease with non-surgical methods and symptoms are progressively worsening, surgical treatment can be considered. There are multiple types of surgeries available in the treatment of shoulder osteoarthritis. One of the most frequently preferred methods for this purpose is total shoulder replacement surgery. With this operation, worn joint parts are surgically replaced with plastic or metal orthopedic materials. Another method is reverse total shoulder replacement surgery. With this operation, the elements in the joint area are reversed, and a socket is attached to the arm bone. In the arthroscopic shoulder debridement method, small incisions are made in the shoulder, and entry is made with the aid of a camera. The surgeon removes the damaged and worn cartilage structure in the shoulder joint. In addition, the worn and deformed joint bone can also be filed down during this operation. This operation cannot definitively prevent the progression of arthritis, but it reduces the frequency of flare-ups.

When is Surgical Intervention Necessary in Shoulder Osteoarthritis?

Depending on the type, location, and severity of the osteoarthritis, the surgeon may evaluate surgical or non-surgical treatment varieties. Surgical intervention is generally considered in situations where movement is highly restricted and quality of life has dropped significantly. If arthritis pain has reached a level that can wake the patient from sleep at night, surgical treatment may also be anticipated.

What Are the Non-Surgical Treatment Methods?

Lifestyle changes are recommended in the non-surgical treatment of shoulder osteoarthritis. Patients are advised to avoid behaviors that can place a load on the shoulder. The use of painkiller medications can be preferred to alleviate the pain. In addition, cold or hot applications can be made to reduce inflammation and pain during a flare-up. The patient can decide through trial and error which of these applications to prefer and can continue with the chosen method depending on the reduction in their symptoms. A cold compress can be applied for 20 minutes several times a day.

What is the Recovery Process Like After Shoulder Osteoarthritis?

The recovery process after shoulder osteoarthritis treatment varies according to the severity of the patient's symptoms, the frequency of flare-ups, and the body's ability to repair itself.

Since the shoulder joint is one of the joints with the widest range of motion in the body, rehabilitation and physical therapy are frequently recommended by the doctor after surgery to improve, maintain, or encourage movement. Physical therapy helps shorten the recovery period.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shoulder Osteoarthritis

Although shoulder osteoarthritis is a condition that can be seen in almost everyone, the probability of it manifesting is higher in some individuals. Among these individuals are people over the age of 50, those with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, individuals who have gone through menopause, and those who have experienced shoulder trauma. There are multiple factors that can lay the groundwork for shoulder osteoarthritis. These factors include:

Having osteoarthritis,

Having rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease accompanied by infection affecting the entire body,

Having avascular necrosis disease, which leads to a decrease in blood supply to the bones,

Having experienced a prior shoulder trauma.

Things that can be done to prevent shoulder osteoarthritis include:

Reducing the consumption of tobacco products, quitting completely if possible,

Doing mild-level exercise,

Maintaining a healthy diet,

Staying away from activities that could injure the shoulder.

Shoulder osteoarthritis is a progressive and recurrent disease. Applying to the hospital at the first symptom helps prevent the progression of the disease and symptoms with early treatment. The orthopedic department of hospitals should be consulted for the treatment of shoulder osteoarthritis disease. Shoulder pain and stiffness are generally among the symptoms of shoulder osteoarthritis, but they can also be precursors to other diseases. A hospital must be visited for a definitive diagnosis, and necessary examinations must be performed. Symptoms of shoulder osteoarthritis are generally typical and specific to the disease. For this reason, conditions such as pain in the shoulder joints, restriction in movement, and hearing a grinding sound during movement allow the disease to be understood. Shoulder osteoarthritis may also alleviate and heal with medicinal treatment or non-surgical lifestyle changes depending on the severity of the disease. Whether surgery is necessary is decided by the doctor. Shoulder osteoarthritis is a progressive disease, and if left untreated, movement is largely restricted. Over time, the person may reach a state where they cannot perform daily chores.

Shoulder osteoarthritis is a progressive orthopedic condition that can seriously affect the quality of life. Early diagnosis and treatment processes are of great importance to slow down the progression of the disease and preserve joint mobility. If you are experiencing symptoms such as pain in the shoulder area, movement restriction, or a sound in the joint, you can apply to our Orthopedics and Traumatology clinic without wasting time and get support from our expert physicians in their field. With personalized treatment plans to be applied as a result of the necessary diagnostic tests, both your pain can be reduced and the progression of the disease can be brought under control.

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