Shoulder arthritis results from the loss of cartilage in the shoulder joint. This causes pain and stiffness within the shoulder, which can affect daily tasks like getting dressed, reaching, and lifting the arms.
Shoulder arthritis occurs when the cartilage that lines the shoulder joint wears down over time. This cartilage allows for smooth and pain-free movement of the shoulder. As that cartilage wears away, it results in friction, leading to pain and stiffness of the shoulder.
Physical therapy and pain-relieving methods can help manage symptoms of shoulder arthritis. But if pain continues to limit daily activities, surgery may be an option.
When nonsurgical management does not provide effective pain relief for shoulder arthritis, shoulder joint replacement is the recommended surgical option. This surgery replaces the ends of the ball and socket of the shoulder joint with metal and plastic implants. This can be accomplished with either a total shoulder replacement or reverse shoulder replacement.
During shoulder replacement surgery, the surgeon makes an incision along the front of the shoulder to access the surfaces of the shoulder joint. Advances in shoulder surgery involve smaller implants and less time in the operating room.
Want to dive deeper? Take a look at some of the bonus educational videos to sharpen your understanding of shoulder arthritis.
