Shoulder arthritis in san antonio

Shoulder Arthritis

arthritis of the Shoulder

The shoulder joint is a ball-and-socket joint where the rounded head of the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into the shallow socket of the scapula (shoulder blade). In this joint, cartilage acts as a cushion, making movement smooth, comfortable, and pain-free. When cartilage becomes damaged, arthritic shoulders result in various symptoms, including:

  • Pain

  • Stiffness

  • Reduced range of motion

  • Grating or popping sensations

  • Muscle weakness

Causes of Shoulder Arthritis

Arthritis can affect all ages but is most commonly seen in people aged over 40 years. The most common cause is wear-and-tear. Apart from that, traumatic injuries, fractures, and dislocations make you more susceptible to arthritis.

Types of Arthritis

There are several types of arthritis, the most common being:

  • Osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease is the most common type of arthritis that affects older people. It causes the cartilage, the tissue that cushions and protects the ends of bones in a joint, to wear off causing painful rubbing of bones.

  • Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy joints, tissues, and organs. It can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, deformity, and loss of function in joints.

  • Post-traumatic arthritis develops after an injury to the elbow. The condition may develop years after the trauma such as a fracture, severe sprain, or ligament tears.

  • Avascular necrosis: A condition where the blood supply to the humerus's head is disrupted, causing the bone tissue to die. As the bone collapses, arthritis can develop.

DIAGNOSIS OF Shoulder ARTHRITIS

Arthritis in the shoulder is diagnosed through a thorough physical examination and X-ray.

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR Shoulder ARTHRITIS

Treatment can include conservative options such as medications, steroid injections, and activity modification to relieve pain. Surgery is usually considered if non-surgical treatment fails to give relief. A total shoulder replacement is a surgical procedure used to restore function and relieve the pain in the hip affected by arthritis. In total shoulder replacement surgery, the damaged regions of the shoulder joint are replaced with artificial components.

Why Should You See An Orthopedic Surgeon If You’re Experiencing Shoulder Pain?

By not scheduling an appointment with a shoulder specialist, you could make a problem that's very easily solvable with a quick arthroscopic surgery to something where you can't really solve it that easily with arthroscopic surgery you may need some type of bigger operation.

Our Locations

Ready to learn more about Shoulder arthritis?

Shoulder Arthritis in San Antonio