Shoulder arthritis is an incurable disease, but there are many therapeutic options available. Some of these include physical therapy, cortisone shots, and as a last resort, surgery. A shoulder replacement can bring an end to years of pain and suffering. It isthe replacement of the old, worn out joint with a prosthetic which can last upto 20 years, or so.
If you areexperiencing shoulder pain and considering surgery, or you just want a check-up to see what is wrong, visit with a specialized shoulder surgeon in Seattle, Dr. Sara Jurek.
Anatomy of the Shoulder and Arthritis
Your shoulder is made up of three bones: your humerus (upper arm bone), your clavicle (collarbone),and your scapula (shoulder blade). There is a layer of cartilage separating the bones. The wearing down of this cartilage exposes the bone surfaces to each other. When this happens, it is sometimes referred to as “bone on bone”. Whenthe bones rub against each other through normal use of the joint, the surface is worn away, exposing the nerve endings. This is what causes the excruciating pain of arthritis: the bone rubbing against the nerve endings in the other bone.
The Way The Bones Fit Together
The head of the upper arm bone, the humerus, fits into a rounded socket (glenoid) in your scapula. The muscles and tendons which hold the shoulder in place, in the socket, are called the rotator cuff.
There are two joints in the shoulder which may be affected by arthritis; the acromion (where the shoulder blade meets the clavicle), and the ball and socket joint, also referred to asthe glenohumeral joint.
Your Seattle Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Jurek, will give you a thorough examination to determine the cause of your shoulder pain. She will then give you options of what treatments you can follow to relieve the pain.
Five Major Types of Shoulder Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis stems from wear and tear of the joint. It isbasically when the cartilage, the cushioning between the bones, wears out,leaving damaged surfaces and exposed nerves. Osteoarthritis typically affectspeople over 50 years of age and may have a genetic component.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is a chronic disease that attacks multiple joints throughout the body. It isdifferent from Osteoarthritis in that it is not caused by overuse of the joint,but rather an autoimmune disease.
This type of arthritis attacks the lining of the joints, the synovium, causing pain and inflammation.
Posttraumatic Arthritis
Posttraumatic arthritis is a form of osteoarthritis thatdevelops after an injury, such as a fracture or dislocation of the shoulder.
Cuff Tear Arthropathy
This occurs when shoulder arthritis progresses as a result of an untreated rotator cufftear.
The torn rotator cuffcan no longer hold the shoulder joint in place properly, causing the bones tomove out of position and rub up against each other in an unnatural way, causingthe arthritis.
Getting A Torn RotatorCuff Treated Early Can Prevent This Type Of Arthritis!
A Word To the Wise: Ifyour shoulder hurts, see a shoulder specialist sooner, rather than later! Thiscan help you avoid a joint replacement in the future!!
Avascular Necrosis of the Shoulder
Avascular necrosis(AVN) of the shoulder is a painful condition that occurs when the blood supply to the head of the upper arm bone, the humerus, is interrupted. Since tissuedies without a proper blood supply, AVN can ultimately lead to the destructionof the shoulder joint and the need for a total shoulder replacement.
Some of the causes ofthis debilitating disease are; excessive steroid use, alcohol abuse and traumaticinjury to the shoulder.
When In Doubt- Get It Checked Out!
When To See A Shoulder Doctor for Arthritis
If you have any of the following symptoms for shoulder arthritis, call a Top Seattle Orthopedic Surgeon for a consult:
Gradually increasing pain in the shoulder (typically described as a deep ache), aggravated by activity and movement
- Night pain
- D
ecreased range of motion
- Shoulder wea
kness (typically due to pain)
- A sensation
of popping, clicking, or catching in the shoulder when attempting to move the arm.
Important Links
