Shoulder Osteoarthritis
What is shoulder osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder, affecting around 10% of people. It can impact any joint, including the shoulder, but having osteoarthritis doesn’t necessarily mean your condition will get worse. The good news is, there’s a lot you can do to manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Osteoarthritis affects the cartilage in the shoulder joint, which acts as a natural suspension and cushioning within the joint. Over time, the cartilage can thin, and the joint capsule may become irritated. While these changes can occur without pain, they may sometimes lead to symptoms.
Symptoms may include:
- Pain in the shoulder and upper arm, sometimes radiating down to the forearm and hand.
- Stiffness in the morning, with more pain at the end of the day or at night. Pain may even wake you up.
- Crunching or grinding noises in the shoulder (harmless, but common with this condition).
- Pain with activities like reaching overhead, behind your back (e.g., washing your back), or lying on the shoulder in bed.
What causes osteoarthritis of the shoulder?
The exact cause of shoulder osteoarthritis is unclear, but several factors can contribute. It’s more common in people over 45, though it can affect younger individuals too. Genetics, past injuries, or previous shoulder surgery can increase the risk.
Factors that influence pain:
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:
- Excess weight, especially around the middle
- Muscle weakness
- Smoking
- Inactivity or unaccustomed overactivity
- Stress, illness, and life changes
- Mental health issues like depression or anxiety
- Other health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes
Ask for an Urgent GP Appointment or Call 111 If:
- You have shoulder pain and feel generally unwell with a high temperature, or feel hot and shivery.
- You develop sudden and severe pain in both shoulders.
Call 999 or go to A+E if:
- You experience a sudden inability to lift your arm after an injury, such as a fall or following an epileptic fit.
- Your arm or shoulder has changed shape or is badly swollen.
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.