Arthritis may be due to chronic degeneration over time, which may be
partly
genetic in origin. It may also occur due to chronic repetitive trauma
or a
previous injury.
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder can be a very painful condition. The pain
is
usually felt as a deep, boring pain in the shoulder. The pain is usually
localized
deep in the shoulder joint. Arthritis pain is often improved with the
use of
medication such as Tylenol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Advanced
osteoarthritis of the shoulder will generally not respond to physical
therapy,
since end ranges of motion will usually worsen the pain. Arthritis of
the shoulder
is diagnosed by plain x-rays. MRI is generally not required to
diagnose this
condition.
If the shoulder arthritis is mild, or not very severe, it can be treated
with
medications such as Tylenol or anti-inflammatory drugs, such as
ibuprofen.
Cortisone injections may be helpful. If the arthritis is very severe
and limiting
daily activities and/or limiting the ability to sleep due to pain,
surgery may
be appropriate. Shoulder surgery for advanced arthritis involves
replacing the
joint. This operation is known as shoulder replacement surgery or
total shoulder
arthroplasty. Total shoulder replacement surgery involves
removing the end of
the top of the arm bone and replacing it with a metal
component. The socket part
of the shoulder joint (or glenoid) is replaced with
a small plastic component,
which is cemented into place. Shoulder replacement
surgery is a very effective
operation for reducing pain and improving quality
of life. The results of shoulder
replacement surgery are similar to the results
for hip and knee replacement.
After shoulder replacement surgery, the patient generally remains in
hospital
for two days. At that the point, they are usually ready to go home.
The arm is
kept in a sling for six to eight weeks. Physical therapy is started
the day
after the total shoulder replacement. Total recovery following the
surgery takes
three to six months until the patient has good use of the arm
with limited or
no pain.
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