Shoulder Arthritis: Types of Arthritis That Affect the Shoulder
What is Shoulder Arthritis?
Arthritis is any damage found in the articular cartilage.
This is a smooth cartilage that covers the movable surface of the joint and when damaged, will result in its loss. When this smooth cartilage is not present to protect the moving surface of the joint, it will progress to what is termed as “bone on bone” or unprotected friction between the joint surfaces which is the main cause of pain.
What are the Five Types of Shoulder Arthritis?
There are five common types of arthritis affecting the shoulders. The types vary according to the origin of the inflammation, the degree of the affectation, or the site being affected.
1] Osteoarthritis
It is also defined as degenerative bone disease wherein the smooth cartilages are worn away making the rough surfaces of the bones rub against each other.
This type of arthritis happens when there is a small trauma in the area and an increasing force is applied across the joint.
2] Inflammatory Arthritis
This is often related to an autoimmune response wherein the body’s immune system attacks the normal cells and causes damage to healthy cells, tissues, and organs.
The most common autoimmune disease associated with arthritis is Rheumatoid arthritis.
The inflammation wears away the articular cartilage. There is no cure for autoimmune diseases but a number of non-surgical treatments are being widely practiced in the medical field to control the inflammation.
3] Cuff Tear Arthropathy
This type of shoulder arthritis is characterized by the latent stage of massive damage to the rotator cuff tendon. The rotator cuff tendon is made of four muscles which when fused together forms a covering around the head of the humerus.
This tendon works together with other important parts to perform a vital role in the movement and stability of the shoulder joint. This is mostly responsible for making the arm rotate externally and internally with the same involvement in the upward and downward motion of the arm.
4] Osteonecrosis
This type is also termed as avascular necrosis which is caused by the insufficient blood supply to the bone forming the ball of the shoulder. The lack of blood supply causes the bone segment concerned to not receive the nutrients it needs to function effectively.
5] Post-Traumatic Arthritis
This condition results in damage to the ball of the socket. When a fracture occurs in this area, damage to the articular cartilage may occur and in turn, will cause the cartilages to be worn away. It is a type of shoulder arthritis that is characterized by articular cartilage impairment due to trauma such as a fracture.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Shoulder Arthritis?
Pain
Feeling Unrested
Limited Range Motion
Swelling or Tenderness in the Area
How is Shoulder Arthritis Treated?
Though there is no cure, there are a number of treatments associated with shoulder arthritis. It can be treated through surgical and non-surgical interventions.
Non-Surgical Or Non-Invasive Treatment
It is common among attending physician to manage the condition in a non-surgical manner. Reinforcing limited body activities and promoting rest to avoid aggravating the pain is the initial intervention.
The patient can also undergo physical therapy as it may improve shoulder’s range of motion.
Medications such as Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and Corticosteroids are prescribed to the patient to control the pain.
Dietary supplements of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate can also relieve pain and inflammation, however, there is very little evidence to support the treatment of arthritis related to these dietary supplements.
Conclusion
Arthritis is most common in weight-bearing joints such as those located on the knees and hips but it can also happen on joints of the shoulder among people who frequently use their arms to carry heavy materials. If arthritis affects the shoulder joints, it can be the most common cause of pain, limited function, stiffness, and reduced quality of life.
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