Shoulder Osteoarthritis
Dealing with Osteoarthritis of the shoulder
Being active
Being active can help to manage pain and fatigue caused by arthritis. There is no set approach that has been shown to be the best so feel free to try different types of exercise and activity. Be guided by what you enjoy and what you feel able to start. An example may be a brisk walk, a bike ride or an aqua-aerobics class.
Keeping active also means trying to continue, where you can, your normal daily activities including social, work-related and hobbies.
If you are local to Sheffield and you would like support to increase your physical activity, then you can:
- Self-refer to Move Well for personalised support and access to a wide range of physical activity opportunities, tailored to your specific needs and preferences.
- Find sport, leisure and activity groups in your local area.
- For more activity tips, visit our physical activity page under the wider health section of the website.
Your lifestyle
A healthy body speeds up recovery. Small lifestyle changes can improve recovery and reduce future pain. A balanced diet, regular activity, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight all help. There’s no specific diet proven to treat osteoarthritis, but if weight loss is needed, aim for a balanced, reduced-calorie diet. The Association of UK Dieticians offers helpful information on diet and OA. For more on healthy lifestyle, check out our Wider health section.
Heat packs
A warm pack can help ease muscle tightness and pain. Use a microwaveable wheat bag or hot water bottle wrapped in a towel for 15-20 minutes, 2-3 times a day. Avoid using heat on swollen areas.
Ice packs
Ice can numb pain. Apply an ice pack (or frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel) for up to 10 minutes, 2-3 times a day.
Pain medication
Pain medication can help you stay mobile. Consult your GP or pharmacist for advice.
Further Treatment
Physiotherapy
Not everyone needs to be seen by a physiotherapist however, some people may find a more tailored exercise programme beneficial. The evidence has shown that the best first-line management of osteoarthritis is physiotherapy. Physiotherapy should primarily include active strategies such as exercise. It can often take at least 3-6 months of consistent rehabilitation before you start to see improvements, so be patient and work with your physiotherapist to get the most from your programme.
Steroid injection
In some cases when pain is severe, a steroid injection into the joint may provide short term pain relief. It is worth noting that steroid injections are not a long term management option as they can make the tissue less healthy in the long term.
Surgery
A very small proportion of people with shoulder osteoarthritis may be suitable for surgery, however this type of surgery comes with risks and fortunately most people benefit from conservative treatment. Your health care professional can guide you with this option.
Don’t
The following treatments are not recommended by National Guidelines:
- Acupuncture or dry needling.
- Electrotherapy treatments such as TENS machines.
- Routine use of braces, tape, or supports.
- Hyaluronic acid injections.
- Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements.
Do
Treatments which may be considered:
- Exercise is the main treatment.
- Manual therapy but only alongside exercise, as there is not enough evidence to support its use alone for managing osteoarthritis.
See NICE guidelines for Osteoarthritis for further information