OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE SHOULDER

ABOUT OSTEOARTHRITIS

Osteoarthritis is a condition that can affect any joint in the body, however, it most often affects the knees, hips and the small joints in the hands. A soft tissue called cartilage protects the ends of bones where they move against each other in a joint. When the cartilage is worn down, either through everyday use or as a result of an injury, the action of the bones rubbing against each other is the cause of osteoarthritis. We can treat shoulder osteoarthritis in Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Worksop.

Osteoarthritis can develop with age, as your joints become more worn. If you’ve previously had an injury or surgery on a joint, you may be more likely to develop osteoarthritis in that joint. You may also have a family history of osteoarthritis which increases the chance of you developing it yourself.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the UK and affects nearly 9 million people. There is no cure for osteoarthritis, however, there are ways of managing and treating the condition.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF OSTEOARTHRITIS IN THE SHOULDER?

Osteoarthritis of the shoulder causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joint. Pain is usually felt on the back of the joint and you may find it difficult to sleep on that side. The bones grind, pop or creak when you use your arm or you may have limited movement in your shoulder.

Sometimes, the stiffness is worst in the mornings when you wake up and may ease as you begin to move about. Symptoms may come and go or you might experience them continuously which affects your ability to do everyday activities.

Mild cases of osteoarthritis of the shoulder can be managed through regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight. More severe cases may need painkillers and additional support or treatment.

WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS?

Lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise may help prevent or manage mild cases of shoulder osteoarthritis. Losing weight has also shown to help with shoulder osteoarthritis. Plus, you can use painkillers, such as paracetamol, to treat any pain flare-ups.

There are several other non-surgical treatment options for osteoarthritis of the shoulder:

• Physiotherapy – exercise plan and manipulation of the joint or TENS device pain relief.

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – different painkillers that can be prescribed by your GP.

• Steroid injections – short-term pain relief for arthritis sufferers that can last several weeks.

If your osteoarthritis is particularly severe, surgery may be the best option for you. Surgical procedures range from repairing the cartilage and even replacing the joint. Book your treatment for shoulder osteoarthritis in Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Worksop. You can also follow us on social media.