Johns Hopkins Health Alert
Arthritis in the Shoulder
The shoulder is involved in almost every movement of the upper body, so it should come as no surprise that it can also hurt. About 5% of all visits to primary care physicians are for shoulder troubles, and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons estimates that four million Americans seek medical care each year for shoulder sprains, strains, dislocations, or other problems. Arthritis in the shoulder can cause severe pain and limited range of motion. Here are some common questions about shoulder arthritis.
While it's less publicized than knee or hip arthritis, shoulder arthritis is a crippling condition, causing extreme pain, stiffness, and limited motion. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder can be the result of early trauma (e.g., falling, football, blunt trauma), resulting in dislocation or shoulder fracture. Over the years, this eventually leads to degradation of the articular cartilage and a wearing down of the joint surfaces.
Shoulder arthritis can also be seen in patients with long-standing tears of the rotator cuff, which is the group of muscles and tendons that connects the humerus to the scapula and stabilizes the glenohumeral joint. Immunologic problems, like rheumatoid arthritis also can affect the shoulder joint. This severe form of arthritis is characterized by pain, stiffness, swelling, and warmth in the shoulder joints.
Q. What are the symptoms of shoulder arthritis?
A. The most common symptom of arthritis of the shoulder is pain, with the pain aggravated by activity and progressively worsening. The pain is worse when the arm is gently brought across the chest. It is common for the pain to radiate into the biceps area and down the arm.
Q. Will shoulder arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery) relieve pain and restore shoulder motion for people with arthritis?
A. Yes, arthroplasty can relieve pain and restore motion in people with severe shoulder arthritis. In addition, according to a recent study done at Johns Hopkins, shoulder arthroplasty is just as safe as the much more common hip and knee replacements. Yet people with shoulder arthritis are more likely to stick with conservative treatments.
Why don't more people choose shoulder arthroplasty? Many people don't know that shoulder replacements are available, or think that shoulder arthroplasty is extremely traumatic or that shoulder replacements just don't work.
Posted in Arthritis on June 15, 2009
Reviewed October 2011
Medical Disclaimer: This information is not intended to substitute for the advice of a physician. Click here for additional information: Johns Hopkins Health Alerts Disclaimer
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I discovered cartilage loss in shoulder about year ago and work with it. Now the pain is preventing sleep so considering total shoulder replacement. Concern is if I can use the replacement shoulder to perform strength training such as weights or other pulley type exercises. I realize that heavy weights are probably out.
Posted by: Stavros | August 25, 2009 2:23 PM
What alternatives to shoulder replacement surgery when one has arthritis of the shoulder areas? Exercise? Weight training?
Posted by: mpb | January 9, 2012 4:26 PM
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Two years ago, I successfully had a total shoulder replacement. My ROM is 95%; no pain; strength returned. In the near future, I'll have my other shoulder replaced.
Posted by: luckylou | June 16, 2009 3:34 PM