What is shoulder arthritis?
Shoulder arthritis is the gradual breakdown of the cartilage covering the ball and socket of the joint. As the cushion thins, the surfaces no longer glide smoothly, and the shoulder becomes stiff and painful over time.
It most often affects the main ball-and-socket joint or the small AC joint at the top of the shoulder. It can follow general wear, a previous injury, or long-standing rotator cuff problems — and, as elsewhere, symptoms guide treatment more than the X-ray alone.
Signs and symptoms
- checkA deep, aching pain worse with activity and sometimes at night.
- checkStiffness and a gradual loss of reach, especially overhead and behind the back.
- checkGrinding or clicking (crepitus) as the rough surfaces move.
- checkPain that builds slowly over months and years.
Causes & risk factors
- Age-related wear of the cartilage.
- A previous fracture or dislocation of the shoulder.
- Long-standing rotator cuff tears (cuff-tear arthropathy).
- Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
How it is diagnosed
Diagnosis combines the history, an examination of movement and strength, and X-rays that show joint-space narrowing and bony changes. A CT or MRI is sometimes added to assess the bone and the rotator cuff in detail when surgery is being considered.
Treatment options
Treatment follows a ladder, beginning with the simplest measures, which keep many patients comfortable for years.
Activity & physiotherapy
Exercise to maintain motion and strength, with sensible activity modification, is the foundation of care.
Medication & injections
Anti-inflammatories and selective injections control pain and settle flare-ups.
Shoulder replacement
When pain is no longer controlled, replacing the worn surfaces reliably restores comfort and function.
As with the knee, surgery sits at the top of the ladder. Movement, strength and good pain control carry most patients comfortably for a long time first.
Living well with shoulder arthritis
Shoulder arthritis is managed rather than cured, and staying active within comfortable limits keeps the joint mobile and the muscles strong. When conservative care is no longer enough, modern shoulder replacement offers excellent, durable relief — and a return to comfortable daily life.