Shoulder Arthritis

Shoulder arthritis is a common musculoskeletal condition. It affects about 32% of the US population above 60 (1). Shoulder arthritis causes progressive and irreversible destruction of the glenohumeral (shoulder) joint.

Basic Anatomy of the Shoulder

The shoulder joint is composed of the following parts:

• Bones

There are three major bones in the shoulder.  The upper arm bone (humerus), the scapula (shoulder blade), and the clavicle (collarbone).

• Joints

There are three joints in the shoulder. 

The large ball socket joint (glenohumeral joint) where the rounded portion of the humerus (arm bone) connects with the shoulder socket (glenoid). The sternoclavicular (SC) where the clavicle connects with the sternum medially. The acromioclavicular (AC) joint where the clavicle connects with the acromion laterally.

• Muscles

Muscles provide strength, support and stability for the shoulder joint. The rotator cuff is composed of 4 major muscles:  supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis.

• Tendons

Tendons are thick pieces of connective tissue that connect muscle to bone. The rotator cuff tendons are the most important tendons in the shoulder as they provide stability, support and movement for the shoulder.

• Ligaments

Ligaments are thick pieces of connective tissue that connect bone to bone. The superior, middle and inferior glenohumeral ligaments provide stability for the shoulder.

• Cartilage

Cartilage is the smooth tissue that covers the ends of the bones.  It allows the bones to move smoothly against each other.

Keep reading to learn more about shoulder arthritis and how it is diagnosed and treated. 

All three joints in the shoulder, the glenohumeral, sternoclavicular (SC), and acromioclavicular joint can be affected by arthritis. Arthritis can erode or break down the cartilage in the shoulder joints leading to inflammation and stiffness.

What Is Arthritis In The Shoulder?

The shoulder joint is a ball and socket with a wide range of motion. The cartilage in the shoulder can be eroded from wear and tear, aging, inflammation, or antibodies produced in certain autoimmune conditions.

The Types Of Arthritis In The Shoulder

Many types of arthritis affect the shoulder. We discuss them briefly below.

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition characterized by inflammation of the joints. In RA, the immune system mistakenly attacks one’s own joints leading to inflammation, swelling, pain, and restriction in range of motion. 

It initially affects the smaller joints in the body, but gradually over time, it can start to affect larger joints like the shoulders. Inflammatory cells invade the synovial membrane and cause thickening, leading to joint pain and stiffness.

• Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis (OA) can affect many joints, including the shoulder joint. Primary OA is the most common type of OA, which occurs in the absence of a predisposing trauma or disease. 

Secondary OA occurs with a preexisting joint condition, such as trauma or injury, congenital joint disorders, inflammatory arthritis, avascular necrosis, infectious arthritis, Paget’s disease, osteoporosis, osteochondritis dissecans, metabolic disorders like hemochromatosis, and hemoglobinopathy. 

• Post-Traumatic Arthritis: Post-traumatic arthritis (PTA) can develop after acute direct trauma to the joints. It is a chronic inflammatory arthritis where inflammation occurs in response to acute trauma. 

PTA can persist and damage the rest of the joint, leading to osteoarthritis (2). Post traumatic arthritis (PTA) accounts for approximately 8-20 % of all osteoarthritis cases (3). 

• Arthritis Secondary To Avascular Necrosis: Necrosis means cell and tissue death. Avascular necrosis is bone death that occurs when there is a limited blood supply to the head of the humerus. 

This can be due to trauma or disease. Without an adequate blood supply, the bone will gradually die, which can lead to arthritis. As the AVN progresses, the joint changes shape from a ball socket joint to a square peg in a round hole.  

• Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy: Rotator cuff tear arthropathy is a type of arthritis that occurs due to a prolonged tear of the rotator cuff. The tendons of the rotator cuff cover the head of the humerus. If the muscles are torn, the head gets exposed and rubs or grinds against the scapula, which can lead to arthritis.

Symptoms Of Arthritis In The Shoulder

Arthritis in the shoulder can present with different symptoms based on the underlying cause of the arthritis. Here’s a list of symptoms associated with shoulder arthritis:

Pain In The Shoulder Joint

Limited Range Of Motion

One of the symptoms of arthritis is a restricted range of motion in the shoulder. Here are some characteristics of this:

• Movements such as raising or elevating the arm, internal or external rotation, can be affected by arthritis. 
• Most people have degrees of restriction in one plane. The type of limitation is a relatively good indicator of which muscle or joint is affected because specific muscles are responsible for specific motions.

Stiffness In The Shoulder

With arthritis, the shoulder joint can become stiff due to the presence of inflammatory cells and pain. Here are some characteristics of how stiffness in the joint occurs:

• As the bony joint surfaces become uneven and rough from arthritis, it can cause stiffness.
• Pain can also make the joint stiff and difficult to move. 
• The cartilage is the smooth flexible connective tissue that allows the shoulder joint to move in all directions.  Arthritis compromises the cartilage leading to stiffness and, in most cases, stiffness in the shoulder.

Joint Swelling

Swelling in the joints is an acute symptom of arthritis. Here are some characteristics of shoulder joint swelling:

• Arthritis can cause gradual and progressive swelling in the shoulder joint. 
• This swelling can worsen over months as the inflammation gets worse and cannot be reabsorbed fast enough by the joint. 
• This swelling further limits the movement of the joint.
• Swelling may involve one of the many shoulder bursae,leading to joint swelling, pain and restriction in range of motion.

Tenderness Around The Joint

While not always present with arthritis, a tender joint can indicate the location of arthritis. Here are a few characteristics of the tenderness around the shoulder joint:

• There is pain while palpating the shoulder joint, the rotator cuff muscles, and the humerus due to inflammatory chemicals in the shoulder joint. 
• Occasionally, the muscles that attach to the shoulder joint, such as the deltoids, may also be tender.
• Based on which part of the shoulder is tender can point to the inflamed tendon. 

Crepitus (Grinding In The Joint)

Crepitus is a crackling or clicking sensation in the joint seen in the latter stages of long-standing arthritis. Here are some characteristics of crepitus in the shoulder joint due to arthritis:

• Crepitus occurs when the rough surfaces of the bone grind against each other. 
• The grinding sensation can get worse with movement. 
• Audible grinding and popping of the shoulder joint with movement.

More Symptoms

Left Shoulder Blade Pain

Learn to know the symptoms and causes of shoulder blade pain as well as the diagnostic tests to run for it and its treatment options. Shoulder blade pain can be a common, annoying, hard to diagnose problem. There are many different causes of shoulder blade pain and the exact cause of the shoulder blade pain will determine what type of treatments would be recommended.

Read More About Left Shoulder Blade Pain

Muscle Spasm In Shoulder

A muscle spasm, also known as a muscle cramp, is a sudden and involuntary contraction or tightening of a muscle or group of muscles. This can occur in any part of the body but is most commonly experienced in the legs, arms, and back. These spasms can last for a few seconds up to many minutes. Occasional muscle spasms may not be something to worry about, but chronic muscle spasms can be a serious issue. In the shoulder, there are many muscles that can go into spasm. These spasms or cramps can cause pain, stiffness, and limited mobility.

Read More About Muscle Spasm In Shoulder

Pain in Front of Shoulder Joint

Front shoulder pain is a disabling complaint commonly seen in the doctor’s office with a lifetime prevalence of 70%. It is a treatable condition within the shoulder joint. If left untreated, the recovery can be awfully slow with high recurrence rates. There are many causes of pain in front of the shoulder joint. The key is to identify what causes front shoulder pain and diagnose it promptly. The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint. The rotator cuff muscles stabilize the joint by attaching it to the capsule of the joint. Tendons of other muscles also provide the joint with added stability…

Read More About Pain in Front of Shoulder Joint

Shoulder Blade Pain

The upper back or shoulder blade area can be a challenging area to identify what is causing the pain. This area is an overlapping region with multiple possible causes of pain.  All of these are on the differential when it comes to pain in the upper back or shoulder blade pain: Thoracic Radiculitis (T1 – T6 nerve roots: 10 different nerves),Thoracic discogenic pain (T1-T6: 5 different discs) Thoracic facet joint syndrome (rib connection to the spine 1-5: 10 different joints), Scapulothoracic bursitis, Cervical radiculitis (C4-T1 nerve roots: 8 different nerves), Cervical facet joint syndrome (C3-T1 facets: 10 different joints), Cervical disc…

Read More About Shoulder Blade Pain

Shoulder Cracking

The Scapula is your shoulder blade. It is a large triangular bone that compromises part of the shoulder joint. The Scapula is positioned over the back chest wall and ribs where it moves in different directions with shoulder movements (1). The Scapula meets with the arm bone (humerus) to form the shoulder joint. It also meets with the clavicle to form the AC joint. Multiple structures attach onto the Scapula which provides important support and movement for the scapulae and shoulder joint (2). These include:- Muscles/Tendons: Multiple muscles attach to the Scapula which include the deltoid, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, triceps, and teres minor.

Read More About Shoulder Cracking

Shoulder Pain When Reaching Across Body

Shoulder pain can make simple chores almost impossible.  Have you ever reached for an object high on a shelf only to have pain that takes your breath away?  What causes shoulder pain when reaching across the body?  What is shoulder impingement?  What does shoulder impingement feel like?  Can a shoulder X-ray show shoulder impingement?  What are the treatment options for shoulder pain when reaching across the body? ulder impingement and rotator cuff injuries are among the most common causes of shoulder pain (1).  Both can cause shoulder pain when reaching across the body. Shoulder impingement is a painful condition in which the bursa and muscles of the shoulder are pinched or compressed. 

Read More About Shoulder Pain When Reaching Across Body

Shoulder Pain When Sleeping

There are several reasons why shoulder pain at night occurs or is aggravated; The common explanations include: Sleep typically involves a static position lasting hours at a time with little or no movement. Sleeping on your side places additional pressure on the tendons and bursa of the shoulder. Sleep can cause muscles and tendons to settle in a slightly different position resulting in additional pressure and reduced blood flow. Identifying the underlying problem is important!  This allows therapy to focus exclusively on the exact problem or problems.  When appropriate conservative care is always the first line of treatment.  Focus is typically on strengthening and improving range of motion. 

Read More About Shoulder Pain When Sleeping

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Risk Factors for Developing Shoulder Arthritis

There are many causes of arthritis in the shoulder joint. They are listed below:

Excessive Body Weight

Excess body weight can affect the joints in many ways. The weight itself limits the movement of the joints and makes them stiff. Stiff joints may prevent the joint fluid from lubricating the joints. In a typical joint, movement helps lubricate the joint capsule and synovium. 

Without this normal movement, the joints have no lubrication and gradually break down due to grinding over dry surfaces. 

Higher body weight also means increased amounts of stored fat. Stored fat contributes to an overactive immune system with larger quantities of inflammatory cells and chemicals, such as cytokines and proteins, which can attack the cartilage and the joint. Increased BMI is a risk factor for the development of shoulder arthritis(5).

History Of Trauma Or Shoulder Injuries

A history of previous fractures, dislocations, and trauma can also increase the risk of arthritis. Fibrous tissue may replace the connective tissue when the joint does not heal properly after an injury. As a result, there is a higher chance of developing arthritis. 

Trauma and injuries, such as cuts or wounds, can cause bacteria, viruses, or fungi to enter the bloodstream and infect the shoulder joint. These organisms can invade the joint and cause an infection. T blood supply, these microorganisms can invade the joint and cause an infection. This can lead to conditions like arthritis or joint sepsis.

Autoimmune Disorders

Large proximal joints like the shoulder are susceptible to attack by antibodies in autoimmune conditions. These autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, are conditions where the body produces inflammatory substances that gradually destroy the bone. 

There is often a familial or genetic predisposition to these conditions.

Age

The risk of developing shoulder arthritis increases with age (8).

Tobacco Use

Smoking is a risk factor for the development of shoulder arthritis.

History of Ligament Laxity or Dislocations

Ligaments provide important stability for the shoulder.  Injury to the ligaments can lead to shoulder instability which in turn can erode the joint cartilage leading to shoulder arthritis (7).

Common Treatments For Arthritis In The Shoulder

There are different treatment options for arthritis in the shoulder. The treatment depends on what is causing arthritis and the severity of the condition. The following are some common treatments that can help improve the symptoms of shoulder arthritis:

Natural Treatments

These are those that don’t require equipment or medications. Some natural treatments for shoulder arthritis are listed below:

• Activity Modification

Certain activities may aggravate arthritic symptoms, such as exercise or repetitive shoulder movements. Avoiding painful movements and choosing joint-friendly activities can help reduce inflammation and symptoms like pain and stiffness. 

For example, walking or cycling are alternative forms of exercise to other activities like tennis. 

• Range Of Motion Exercises

Range of motion exercises can improve the flexibility of the shoulder joint. These exercises promote gentle movement in the joint within a comfortable range. 

After some time, as the pain decreases, exercises can also strengthen the joint. Muscle strength is an important component to shoulder stability. These exercises may include shoulder, pectoral, and biceps stretches and scapular range of motion exercises. 

• Heat Therapy

Studies have shown that applying heat and moisture during stretching exercises can improve the extensibility of the muscles in the shoulder (3). 

This is because it increases blood supply to the muscles and relaxes them. This can include hot water bottles, steam towels, moist heating packs, or even a hot shower. 

• Ice Therapy

Cold therapies are recommended for arthritis. For pain relief, icing your shoulder for 10-minute intervals can help alleviate the pain as the cold constricts the blood vessels. 

A combination of ice and heat therapy may be beneficial for shoulder arthritis. Each person must find what works for them regarding arthritis and shoulder pain. 

• Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can improve range of motion, muscle strengthening, and improved posture and body mechanics. 

• Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care can provide spinal adjustments, mobilization of the joint and restoration of soft tissue injuires that are compromising shoulder joint health and function.

Non-Surgical Options

Non-surgical treatment options for shoulder arthritis include medical solutions that require a doctor or therapist. They are listed below:

• Dietary Supplements: Studies have shown that seven dietary supplements can help reduce pain from arthritis, namely collagen hydrolysate, passion fruit peel extract, Curcuma longa extract, Boswellia serrata extract, curcumin, pycnogenol, and L-carnitine (4). 

Studies have shown that these supplements have a significant clinical effect on arthritic pain in the short term. However, no supplements have been shown to reduce pain in the long term. 

• NSAID

NSAIDs are powerful anti-inflammatory agents. Common examples include ibuprofen, naproxen, voltaren and celebrex. They are available in both tablets and topical creams. They have significant side effects which have been previously discussed and should be avoided. 

• Oral Narcotics

Narcotics are powerful medications to reduce pain and increase function. They have significant side effects which include dependence and therefore should be avoided. Furthermore, they do NOT address the underlying arthritis. Rather, they simply mask the pain. 

• Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids are a type of medication that reduce inflammation and immune responses. They do so by inhibiting transcription factors that control the synthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators such as macrophages, eosinophils, lymphocytes, mast cells, and dendritic cells. 

They also inhibit phospholipase A2, which produces numerous inflammatory mediators. They are prescribed for arthritis to reduce local inflammation and prevent further bone destruction. Corticosteroids can be taken orally or injected directly into the joint. 

However, as corticosteroids reduce the density of the bone when taken for extended periods, they are not a permanent treatment option.

Surgical Procedures

Many doctors recommend surgery for shoulder arthritis, especially if conservative options have not been effective.

• Shoulder Joint Replacement (Arthroplasty): This is a total shoulder joint replacement. It is the preferred surgery for rheumatoid and other types of inflammatory arthritis. In this procedure, the arthritic ball and socket shoulder joint is replaced with a metal prosthetic joint. 
  
  This metallic ball is fixed to the humerus by a stem that fits inside the humerus. This stem anchors the joint and helps articulate the new metallic ball and socket joint. This success of the procedure depends on the integrity of the rotator cuff tendons. If the patient has poor tendon health, they may not be suitable for this procedure.

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When Should You Consult Your Doctor?

While arthritis is a condition that is manageable with conservative care, some symptoms should prompt you to seek medical attention.

• A red or inflamed shoulder joint
• The shoulder joint is hot or tender to touch
• Severe pain on joint movement
• Presence of fever
• Inability to elevate the arm
• Severe restriction of motion
• Pain and stiffness
• Crepitus in the shoulder joint
• An injury preceding the shoulder joint pain

Diagnosis Of Arthritis In The Shoulder

Arthritis in the shoulder is diagnosed with the following methods:

• Medical History: A medical history is significant to identify if you have arthritis and what kind of arthritis it is. The doctor will ask you about the joint, any history of trauma, your occupation, the presence of pain, any associated symptoms, and the relieving and exacerbating factors. 

They will also want to know if there is a family history of arthritis, as certain types of inflammatory arthritis tend to have a genetic predisposition. 

• Physical Examination: The physical exam involves checking all the joints and the range of motion. Since arthritis can affect multiple joints, it is common for various large joints to be involved. In some types of autoimmune arthritis, the diagnosis is based on how many joints are involved. 

• Pain Evaluation: The doctor will also test the muscles to determine which movements elicit pain and evaluate the strength of the muscles. Weak muscles may indicate irritation or compression of one or more nerves in the neck.

• Lab Tests: Blood tests are done to rule out an infection, such as a complete blood count. Other blood tests like RA (rheumatoid arthritis) factors, a metabolic panel, and Antinuclear Antibody Test (ANA) are ordered to diagnose autoimmune arthritis. 

• X-Rays: X-rays are the initial imaging modality used to rule out fractures or dislocations. X-rays can identify soft tissue inflammation and joint surface changes but cannot identify any tears in the cartilage or muscles around the joint. 

• Ultrasound: The use of ultrasound to diagnose arthritis is steadily increasing. Ultrasound is available as an in office procedure and can be an efficient and cost effective alternative to MRI’s.  

At the Centeno-Schultz Clinic an ultrasound evaluation is part of every new patient evaluation. Ultrasound can detect subclinical and early inflammation, joint swelling, irritation of bursa, rotator cuff tendinosis, rotator cuff tears, and joint instability. 

It is also cheaper than other modalities, so it can be used to monitor remission following physical therapy or surgery. 

• CT Scan: CT scans are used to detect arthritic changes, especially to identify bony deformities, subchondral cysts, or loss of cartilage. They can also accurately predict prosthetic sizes for shoulder replacement surgery if needed. 

• MRI Scan: An MRI can detect certain features of arthritis within the synovium, subchondral bone marrow, and articular fat. These cannot be visualized with other imaging modalities, such as CT or X-ray.

When Shoulder Replacement Surgery Becomes A Good Option

When is shoulder replacement surgery a good option? Shoulder replacement surgery may be considered in the following situations: 

• When the shoulder arthritis causes chronic pain
• When there is a loss of function in the joint
• When conservative and medical treatments have failed
• When the pain disrupts sleep at night
• When the pain affects daily activities

Recovery And Rehabilitation After Shoulder Surgery

The recovery time after shoulder surgery depends on the type of surgery performed and the extent of arthritis. The shoulder joint can take six months to two years to become fully functional. 

However, it is important to remember recovery always includes pain management, a rehabilitation program, and physical therapy. In general, recovery depends on two main factors:

• Pain Management: Pain after shoulder surgery can be almost as severe as arthritis. Doctors can use a combination of painkillers, including acetaminophen, NSAIDs, tramadol, and gabapentinoids, to help ease the pain. 

• Physical Therapy: The type of surgery used can dictate rehab protocol for the shoulder. In general, rehabilitation starts with an eight-week program, with a sling to be used in the first week. 

Cryotherapy (cold therapy) can be used to control pain and edema. Range-of-motion exercises usually begin by week three, with a progressive increase in strength training as the weeks go by. 

Endurance and strength training usually begins by week eight. The rest of the recovery period depends on the patient’s general health and age.

Can Shoulder Arthritis Heal Without Surgery?

Arthritis can be treated without surgery, especially if the joint damage is not severe. Alternative treatment options include PRP and stem cell injections. 
At our Centeno-Schultz Center, shoulder pain caused by shoulder arthritis is treated with precise image-guided stem cell injections. The stem cells are derived from the patient’s body, so the body responds well, reducing the risk of a reaction or rejection.

Relieve Shoulder Pain With The Right Treatment Option

Arthritis is a chronic condition that can be managed well with the right treatment. If you have shoulder arthritis, there are non-surgical and surgical treatment options. 

At CSC, we have a holistic approach to treating shoulder arthritis and avoiding unnecessary surgery. If you have shoulder arthritis, talk to one of our board-certified, fellowship-trained doctors today.

Christopher J. Centeno, MD

Christopher J. Centeno, M.D. is an international expert and specialist in Interventional Orthopedics and the clinical use of bone marrow concentrate in orthopedics. He is board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation with a subspecialty of pain medicine through The American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Centeno is one of the few physicians in the world with extensive experience in the culture expansion of and clinical use of adult bone marrow concentrate to treat orthopedic injuries. His clinic incorporates a variety of revolutionary pain management techniques to bring its broad patient base relief and results. Dr. Centeno treats patients from all over the US who…

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John Schultz, MD

John R. Schultz M.D. is a national expert and specialist in Interventional Orthopedics and the clinical use of bone marrow concentrate for orthopedic injuries. He is board certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine and underwent fellowship training in both. Dr. Schultz has extensive experience with same day as well as culture expanded bone marrow concentrate and sees patients at the CSC Broomfield, Colorado Clinic, as well the Regenexx Clinic in Grand Cayman. Dr. Schultz emphasis is on the evaluation and treatment of thoracic and cervical disc, facet, nerve, and ligament injuries including the non-surgical treatment of Craniocervical instability (CCI). Dr. Schultz trained at George Washington School of…

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John Pitts, M.D.

Dr. Pitts is originally from Chicago, IL but is a medical graduate of Vanderbilt School of Medicine in Nashville, TN. After Vanderbilt, he completed a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. The focus of PM&R is the restoration of function and quality of life. In residency, he gained much experience in musculoskeletal medicine, rehabilitation, spine, and sports medicine along with some regenerative medicine. He also gained significant experience in fluoroscopically guided spinal procedures and peripheral injections. However, Dr. Pitts wanted to broaden his skills and treatment options beyond the current typical standards of care.

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Jason Markle, D.O.

Post-residency, Dr. Markle was selected to the Interventional Orthopedic Fellowship program at the Centeno-Schultz Clinic. During his fellowship, he gained significant experience in the new field of Interventional Orthopedics and regenerative medicine, honing his skills in advanced injection techniques into the spine and joints treating patients with autologous, bone marrow concentrate and platelet solutions. Dr. Markle then accepted a full-time attending physician position at the Centeno-Schultz Clinic, where he both treats patients and trains Interventional Orthopedics fellows. Dr. Markle is an active member of the Interventional Orthopedic Foundation and serves as a course instructor, where he trains physicians from around the world.

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Brandon T. Money, D.O., M.S.

Dr. Money is an Indiana native who now proudly calls Colorado home. He attended medical school at Kansas City University and then returned to Indiana to complete a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency program at Indiana University, where he was trained on non-surgical methods to improve health and function as well as rehabilitative care following trauma, stroke, spinal cord injury, brain injury, etc. Dr. Money has been following the ideology behind Centeno-Schultz Clinic and Regenexx since he was in medical school, as he believed there had to be a better way to care for patients than the status quo. The human body has incredible healing capabilities…

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