Shoulder Osteoarthritis
What is shoulder osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder worldwide, affecting approximately 10% of the population. It can affect any joint in the body, including the shoulder, but being diagnosed with osteoarthritis doesn’t mean your condition will get worse. The good news is that there’s a lot you can do to improve your symptoms.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It affects the cartilage within the shoulder joint. This cartilage acts as a natural suspension and cushioning within the joint. Gradually over time, the cartilage can thin and the bag (capsule) which surrounds the joint can become irritable. Interestingly, we now know that these changes within the joint can occur without pain but sometimes these changes can cause symptoms.
While many people with osteoarthritis of the shoulder won’t have any symptoms, those who do can have a wide range of experiences.
Symptoms may include:
- Most commonly, the shoulder and upper arm can feel painful. Pain can radiate down the arm, even into the forearm and hand.
- Your shoulder may feel particularly stiff in the morning, and more painful at the end of the day and at night.
- Some people find that pain wakes them up at night.
- You might notice that your shoulder makes crunching or grinding noises. These noises are harmless and nothing to worry about as it is a common symptom of the condition. It will sound loud as the joint is close to your ears.
- Pain can occur with activities involving your shoulder such as reaching the arm up overhead, behind your back (such as washing your back) or even lying on the shoulder in bed.
What causes osteoarthritis of the shoulder?
The exact cause of osteoarthritis is often not known, as there can be quite a few reasons why a person develops the condition. Osteoarthritis is common and can affect people of any age, but it usually starts in people over the age of 45. Our genetics will likely play a big part in our risk of developing osteoarthritis. Previous trauma, injuries or surgery to the shoulder can also increase the chance of developing osteoarthritis in the joint.
The pain associated with osteoarthritis is not simply just the result of the changes in the joint, in fact, research has shown that pain is influenced by a wide range of factors, including:
- carrying excessive weight, particularly around the middle.
- muscle weakness.
- smoking.
- inactivity or over-activity.
- life changes, including periods of stress or illness.
- Poor mental health such as depression or anxiety.
- Other physical health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Call 999 or go to A+E if:
- You experience pain, weakness or a sudden inability to lift your arm after suffering an injury, such as a fall or following an epileptic fit.
- You have shoulder pain and feel generally unwell and have a high temperature or feel hot and shivery.
- Your arm or shoulder has changed shape or is badly swollen.
- If you develop severe pain in both shoulders.
- You have persistent pins and needles or numbness in the arm.
Facts about Osteoarthritis of the shoulder
Osteoarthritis can often present on an x-ray in those who do not have symptoms. This is because pain is influenced by more than just the changes you can see on an x-ray.
Evidence also shows that a healthy lifestyle, exercise and confidence to use your shoulder will increase your chances of making meaningful improvements in your symptoms and function.
In fact, exercise is the best thing you can do for the health of the shoulder joint. Moving the joint and strengthening the muscles around the painful joint improves symptoms and the functional capacity of the shoulder.