Shoulder Osteoarthritis

The shoulder is made of three bones – the collarbone (the clavicle), the upper arm bone (the humerus) and the shoulder blade (the scapula), and two joints.

• The glenohumeral joint: This is a ball and socket joint. The head of the upper arm bone fits into the scapula. This is the main shoulder joint that provides most shoulder motions. A rim of cartilage called the shoulder labrum deepens the socket. Cartilage erosion can lead to pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion.
• The acromioclavicular joint: This shoulder joint is where the collarbone meets the tip of the shoulder blade. It can also be affected by arthritis. Arthritis can result in localized pain and tenderness at the top of the shoulder.

Experts estimate that 90% of people with shoulder arthritis have one or more risk factors.

• Shoulder joint stress and chronic injury due to a job, repetitive lifting and throwing motions, or high-impact activities can cause microtrauma that increase the risk of shoulder arthritis.
• Shoulder joint injury including trauma, and a large rotator cuff tear. A large rotator cuff tear alters bone alignment and can cause arthritis in the joint.
• Aging
• Heredity
• A congenital defect that affects bone alignment that leads to shoulder dislocations
• Gender – glenohumeral arthritis is more common in women
• Obesity is associated with systemic inflammation which can contribute to shoulder arthritis

Symptoms include:

• Pain: The hallmark symptom of shoulder arthritis is pain, which may worsen with activity or at night and improves with rest. The pain usually hurts at that back of the shoulder and can be triggered by reaching overhead. Pain at the top of the shoulder indicates that the acromioclavicular joint is affected.
• Stiffness: Individuals with shoulder arthritis often experience stiffness in the joint, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks.
• Crepitus: a grinding or clicking sound when the shoulder is moved.
• Loss of range of motion: As the condition progresses, there is a noticeable reduction in the shoulder’s range of motion, hindering activities like reaching overhead.

Diagnosis is based on a combination of clinical evaluation and imaging studies. Your Hyper Regen Sports Medicine professional will obtain a detailed medical history including your symptoms, their duration and the progression of symptoms. They will inquire about a history of shoulder injuries, surgeries and other medical conditions that could impact the shoulder. Other information about daily activities, occupation, sports and any family history osteoarthritis can be relevant.

They will also perform a physical examination of the shoulder looking for weakness, tenderness, and deformity, and evaluate range of motion, and check for crepitus. Muscle strength and joint stability will also be evaluated.

X-rays will be ordered to show the typical changes caused by osteoarthritis, and MRI may be ordered to view details of the soft tissues if damage to these tissues is suspected as a cause for symptoms.