Do you have a pain in your shoulder that just won't go away? Maybe it started after an old injury, or perhaps it's been getting worse slowly over time. If your shoulder pain sticks around or feels worse when you move your arm, it could be shoulder arthritis.
What Is Shoulder Arthritis?
Your shoulder is one busy joint. It's where the bones in your arm meet. The ends of these bones have a smooth, slippery coating called cartilage. Cartilage helps your bones glide easily without rubbing. When you have shoulder arthritis, this cartilage starts to wear down. When it's worn away, your bones can rub directly against each other. This causes pain, swelling and stiffness.
What Does Shoulder Arthritis Feel Like?
Pain is often the very first sign. It might feel like a deep, dull ache inside your shoulder. You might notice it gets worse when you're active or trying to sleep.
It can also become harder to move your arm. Simple movements, such as reaching up to get a dish or putting on a shirt, might hurt or become difficult. You might also hear grinding, clicking or popping sounds in your shoulder.
What Can Be Mistaken for Shoulder Arthritis?
Shoulder pain can be tricky because other problems can feel similar to arthritis. That's why it's so important to get the correct diagnosis.
These orthopedic conditions have some of the same symptoms as shoulder arthritis:
- Frozen shoulder usually causes stiffness that gets worse over time, making your arm very hard to move.
- Rotator cuff injuries often cause pain or weaken your arm when you try to lift or twist it.
- Tendonitis typically causes a dull ache and tenderness, especially when you move or press on the shoulder area.
An orthopedic specialist can help figure out what's going on with your shoulder.
Who Gets Shoulder Arthritis?
While anyone can get arthritis, shoulder arthritis is diagnosed, on average, around age 50. Over many years, the natural wear and tear from everyday use can damage the shoulder joint.
Some people might be more likely to get shoulder arthritis, especially if they:
- Have had a shoulder injury in the past
- Do jobs or play sports that require frequent and repeated use of the shoulder
- Have family members who also have arthritis
- Have rheumatoid arthritis or other diseases that affect the body's immune system
How Is Shoulder Arthritis Diagnosed?
If you're worried about shoulder pain, a doctor or orthopedic provider will talk to you about your symptoms and gently check how your shoulder moves. They might also order an X-ray or MRI. These special pictures help them see inside your joint and understand how much damage there is.
What Are the Treatment Options?
While shoulder arthritis can't be cured, there are many ways to manage it and help you feel better. The best treatment depends on how bad your arthritis is. Some common options include:
- Physical therapy to help strengthen your shoulder and improve how much it can move
- Medicines, like those you can buy at the store or prescriptions from your doctor, to help with pain
- Joint injections to deliver medicine directly to your shoulder to reduce swelling and pain
- Surgery, if the damage is severe, to fix the joint or replace part or all of your shoulder
When to Get Help
If shoulder pain interferes with your daily life and makes it difficult to do things you enjoy, don't wait! Getting care early can help you feel better sooner and even prevent more serious problems.
Get expert care at the Bone & Joint South Ortho Walk-in Clinic and Sports Medicine Clinic at Union Health, located at 4601 South 7th St. in Terre Haute. No appointment is needed. A caring provider can evaluate your symptoms and help you find the proper treatment.