Shoulder arthritis Perth
Everything you need to know about shoulder arthritis
Table of Contents
Shoulder arthritis symptoms
Could I have shoulder arthritis?
Generally, arthritis describes joint inflammation. If you are experiencing shoulder pain, arthritis may be the underlying cause.
There are several types of arthritis that can affect your shoulder joint, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis. In other words, you can get it from regular wear and tear linked to your active lifestyle, from disease or illness, or from direct trauma injuries.
Osteoarthritis is a common cause of shoulder pain and is characterised by the breakdown of the cartilage in your joint.
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that results from the breakdown and loss of the cartilage in the joints. It is the most common type of arthritis and is often referred to as “wear and tear” arthritis because it is caused by the gradual wear and tear on the joints over time.
Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in your body, but it is most common in the hands, knees and hips. It can also affect your shoulder joint. Osteoarthritis commonly occurs in people over the age of 50, but it can also occur in younger people who have had joint injuries or who have a family history of the condition.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis may include
- Pain in the affected joint,
- Stiffness in the affected joint,
- Swelling in the affected joint.
These symptoms can range from mild to severe and may be worse after periods of inactivity or when the joint is used. In some cases, the joint may become deformed as the condition progresses.
Treatment for osteoarthritis may include medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or exercising regularly. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair or replace the affected joint.
Post-traumatic arthritis can occur after an injury to your shoulder joint, such as a fracture or dislocation.
Post-traumatic arthritis of the shoulder is a type of osteoarthritis that occurs after an injury to the shoulder joint, such as a fracture or dislocation. The injury can damage the cartilage in the joint, leading to the development of post-traumatic arthritis.
Post-traumatic arthritis of the shoulder can occur at any age, but it is more common in people who have had a shoulder injury at a younger age.
The most common cause is dislocation at a young age and this can lead to post-traumatic arthritis 20-30 years after the initial injury.
Inflammatory arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints and surrounding tissues. It is a progressive disease that can affect many joints in your body, including your shoulders.
Inflammatory arthritis typically affects people between the ages of 30 and 60, and it is more common in women than in men. It is a systemic disease, which means it can also affect other organs and systems in the body, such as the lungs and blood vessels.
Symptoms of inflammatory arthritis may include
- Joint pain,
- Swelling,
- Stiffness and loss of range of motion.
These symptoms may come and go, and they may be worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
Other symptoms may include
- Fatigue,
- Fever,
- Weight loss.
Inflammatory arthritis is typically treated with medications that reduce inflammation and slow the progression of the disease. These medications may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biologics.
Physical therapy and lifestyle changes, such as exercise and stress management, may also be recommended to manage your symptoms. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair or replace damaged joints. Surgery is becoming increasingly less common as a treatment modality due to the success of DMARDs.
Rotator cuff tear arthropathy is a type of shoulder arthritis that occurs as a result of a rotator cuff tear.
Rotator cuff tear arthropathy is a type of shoulder joint degeneration that occurs as a result of a rotator cuff tear. The development of arthropathy (or arthritis) after a rotator cuff injury often takes many years to develop and patients frequently remain symptom-free for a long time. Rotator cuff tear arthropathy is more common in people over the age of 60, but it can occur at any age.
Treatment for rotator cuff tear arthropathy may include physical therapy, medications, and, in some cases, surgery in the form of a reverse shoulder replacement. It is important to address a rotator cuff tear as soon as possible to prevent further damage and the development of rotator cuff tear arthropathy.
Avascular necrosis of the shoulder (AVN) is a condition that occurs when there is a loss of blood supply to the bone. This can cause the bone to die, leading to pain and joint dysfunction.
AVN can occur in any bone, but it is most common in the shoulder.
Avascular necrosis of the shoulder can occur for a variety of reasons, including injury, prolonged steroid use, and alcohol abuse. It is more common in people who have a history of these risk factors.
AVN of the shoulder can cause pain and stiffness in your joint, as well as a decrease in range of motion. If left untreated, AVN can lead to degenerative joint disease and you may need joint replacement surgery.
Treatment for AVN of the shoulder may include medications, physical therapy, and, in some cases, surgery. The goal of treatment is to reduce pain and improve joint function. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent the progression of AVN and may improve outcomes.
Shoulder arthritis symptoms
Although there are different types of arthritis of the shoulder, they all have some common symptoms such as
- joint pain in the shoulder,
- swelling
- and eventually loss of range of motion.
Shoulder arthritis Perth specialist and surgeon
How is shoulder arthritis diagnosed?
Shoulder arthritis is usually diagnosed by a characteristic history of slowly worsening pain, increasing stiffness and muscle wasting/weakness. X-rays are the most important imaging modality, ultrasound scans are less helpful than MRI scans.
Dr Sven Goebel, Shoulder Arthritis Perth Specialist
Shoulder arthritis treatment Perth
Surgery for shoulder arthritis?
The good news is: shoulder arthritis is treatable! Often people ask me what first-line treatment is recommended. I always reply: shoulder arthritis treatment depends on four things.
- The type and severity of shoulder arthritis,
- Your age,
- Your activity level,
- Your symptoms.
Non-surgical treatment options for a shoulder arthritis
- Physical therapy exercises can help improve your range of motion, strength, and function in the shoulder.
- Medications like over-the counter painkillers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help to reduce pain and inflammation. Your doctor may also prescribe other pain medications if needed.
- If you’re in severe pain, intra-articular injections of cortisone or hyaluronic acid can help relieve your symptoms.
- Changing or avoiding certain activities that cause pain or discomfort may help to reduce symptoms.
Shoulder arthritis surgery
When to see an orthopaedic surgeon for shoulder pain? If non-surgical treatment fails, shoulder arthritis surgery is your best option to relieve symptoms.
- Shoulder arthroscopy: Arthroscopic or keyhole surgery can be offered if you are younger than 50 years and have relatively mild arthritis. Removal of loose bits of cartilage or release of scar tissue is usually performed this way.
- Shoulder replacement surgery: Also called arthroplasty, joint replacement of the shoulder is recommended for advanced shoulder arthritis. It involves replacing the parts of your shoulder that are damaged by arthritis with an artificial prosthetic joint. There are two types of shoulder replacements currently performed with good success, the “anatomic” shoulder replacement and the “reverse” shoulder replacement.
Shoulder arthritis surgery recovery time
What happens after surgery?
During your consultation, I will explain which exercises you can do for optimal recovery.
You can find a PDF here: https://www.perthshoulderclinic.com/s/PSC-Physiotherapy-Program-Booklet
Shoulder arthroscopy
Having a shower:
1 day after surgery
Light exercise:
3-7 days after surgery
Driving:
2-6 weeks after surgery, when able to raise the arm 90 degrees with little pain
Normal exercise:
4-6 weeks after surgery
Going back to work:
2-6 weeks after surgery, once comfortable
Shoulder replacement surgery
Having a shower:
1 day after surgery
Light exercise:
8 weeks after surgery
Normal exercise:
4-6 months after surgery
Driving:
8-10 weeks after surgery
Going back to work:
4-8 weeks after surgery for sedentary position, 4-6 months for manual work