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The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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Shoulder Arthritis (Glenohumeral Osteoarthritis)
Shoulder osteoarthritis (glenohumeral arthritis) is progressive wear and tear of the cartilage lining the shoulder ball and socket joint, causing deep shoulder pain, stiffness, grinding sensation with motion, and night pain disrupting sleep - it occurs from aging (primary osteoarthritis), previous injuries (post-traumatic arthritis), rotator cuff tears (cuff tear arthropathy), or avascular necrosis - treatment ranges from physiotherapy and injections for mild arthritis to shoulder replacement surgery for severe disease, with 90-95% of patients achieving excellent pain relief and improved function after total shoulder replacement.
đWhat is Shoulder Arthritis (Glenohumeral Osteoarthritis)?
Shoulder osteoarthritis (glenohumeral arthritis) is progressive wear and tear of the cartilage lining the shoulder ball and socket joint, causing deep shoulder pain, stiffness, grinding sensation with motion, and night pain disrupting sleep - it occurs from aging (primary osteoarthritis), previous injuries (post-traumatic arthritis), rotator cuff tears (cuff tear arthropathy), or avascular necrosis - treatment ranges from physiotherapy and injections for mild arthritis to shoulder replacement surgery for severe disease, with 90-95% of patients achieving excellent pain relief and improved function after total shoulder replacement.
đŦWhat Causes It?
- Primary osteoarthritis from aging (cartilage breakdown over time, usually age 60+)
- Post-traumatic arthritis from previous fractures, dislocations, or injuries (develops 10-20 years after injury)
- Rotator cuff tear arthropathy (massive cuff tear allowing humeral head to migrate upward, wearing glenoid)
- Avascular necrosis (bone death) progressing to secondary arthritis
- Inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis) destroying cartilage
â ī¸Risk Factors
You may be at higher risk if:
- Age over 60 years (primary osteoarthritis)
- Previous shoulder trauma (fractures, dislocations increase arthritis risk 30-40%)
- Massive rotator cuff tears (cuff tear arthropathy develops in 20-30%)
- Family history of osteoarthritis
- Inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus)
đĄī¸Prevention
- âPrompt treatment of shoulder injuries (reduces post-traumatic arthritis risk)
- âRepair large rotator cuff tears before they progress (prevents cuff tear arthropathy)
- âMaintain healthy weight (reduces load on shoulder joint)
- âStrengthen shoulder muscles (rotator cuff and scapular stabilizers support joint)
- âAvoid repetitive overhead heavy work if possible