It’s estimated that roughly 53 million adults in the United States are living with some form of arthritis, and of those, 32 million have osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. When osteoarthritis affects your shoulder, it can cause chronic shoulder pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion.
This can make even routine activities like combing hair, dressing, and reaching overhead challenging. Strength and mobility limitations can also restrict your ability to perform housework, yardwork, sports, and exercise. What’s more, many people with shoulder pain report disrupted sleep.
Here at Advantage Orthopedics in Dublin, Ohio, board-certified orthopedic surgeon Thomas Joseph Kovack, DO, specializes in shoulder, elbow, and knee surgery. Dr. Kovack offers cutting-edge, nonsurgical alternative medicine therapies to help reduce pain and improve function, such as biologically enhanced injections.
For patients with advanced shoulder osteoarthritis that fails to respond to nonsurgical approaches, Dr. Kovack specializes in a range of advanced shoulder surgeries.
Shoulder osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones in the shoulder joint deteriorates over time. The shoulder has four joints. The two primary joints are the glenohumeral joint (where the upper arm bone meets the shoulder blade) and the acromioclavicular joint (where the collarbone meets the top of the shoulder blade). Osteoarthritis can affect either or both of these joints, leading to varying degrees of pain.
Osteoarthritis can have a major impact on the shoulder joint. The cartilage covering the bone surfaces gradually wears away, causing the bones to rub against each other. This is what causes pain when moving the shoulder.
As the cartilage deteriorates, the body attempts to compensate by producing excess bone cells, which causes bone spurs to form. These bony growths can further restrict joint movement and cause additional pain and inflammation. The underlying bone may also develop lesions, contributing to even more discomfort.
Additionally, the synovial membrane surrounding the joint can become inflamed (synovitis), altering the composition of the joint fluid and aggravating symptoms.
Age is a primary risk factor for shoulder osteoarthritis. This is due to the natural cartilage wear over time. Repetitive use from jobs or activities that involve repetitive shoulder movements can accelerate cartilage wear-and-tear.
If you’ve had a previous injury like a shoulder fracture, dislocation, or rotator cuff tear, you can increase the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis. Genetics also play a role in the chances of developing osteoarthritis. A family history of osteoarthritis increases the risk of developing it. Being overweight also places additional stress on the shoulder joints, contributing to cartilage breakdown.
Corticosteroid injections into your shoulder joint can provide temporary relief from pain and inflammation. Biologic injections provide a natural source of growth factors that boost healing and help your body repair itself.
Lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding activities that aggravate symptoms, and applying heat or cold to your shoulder can help manage symptoms.
If nonsurgical treatments are ineffective, Dr. Kovack will discuss your surgical options with you. Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that involves removing damaged cartilage and other debris from your painful joint. In severe cases, a partial or total shoulder replacement may be necessary to replace the damaged joint with an artificial implant.
Total shoulder resurfacing (TSR) is suitable if you have severe osteoarthritis and you’re young and active. TSR offers the advantage of preserving more of your natural bone. It reduces the risk of complications and results in faster recovery.
If you suspect you have shoulder osteoarthritis or are experiencing shoulder pain, contact us today to schedule a consultation. Our team can develop a strategy to relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
