Five Types of Shoulder Arthritis

Is your shoulder bothering you? It could be arthritis. According to the Arthritis Foundation (AF), arthritis causes more disability in Americans than any other condition. Arthritis not only damages your muscles and tendons, but it affects your joints and ligaments as well.

Shoulder arthritis generally causes symptoms of joint pain and limited mobility. To better treat your arthritis symptoms, it is best to first determine the specific type of shoulder arthritis that you have. There are five main types of arthritis that affects the shoulder:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This is actually an autoimmune condition that affects the joint lining. You may experience tenderness, warmth and stiffness in one or both shoulders with RA. If left untreated, this type of arthritis can causes bone erosion and joint deformity.

Osteoarthritis

The most common and often the most challenging form of arthritis termed “wear-and-tear.” Reports show that adults over the age of 50 are most likely to develop this type. The symptoms of OA are characterized by a combination of joint pain, tenderness and stiffness.

Post-traumatic Arthritis

An injury or trauma is the cause of this type of arthritis. Post-traumatic arthritis develops after a shoulder fracture or shoulder dislocation, which typically occurs during a sporting injury or other accident. Your symptoms can include fluid in your shoulder joint, as well as pain and swelling in your joints.

Avascular Necrosis

A condition called avascular necrosis, or AVN, can result in shoulder arthritis by destroying the joint in your shoulder. This happens when blood is restricted from your humerus bone, causing cells in your shoulder bone to die. Both joint dislocations and bone fractures, as well taking steroids at high doses and drinking too much alcohol, cause avascular necrosis. This type of arthritis worsens over time.

Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy

Your shoulder contains a “rotator cuff,” which connects the shoulder blade with the top of your arm through multiple tendons and muscles. Injuries to the rotator cuff are common and can lead to a form of shoulder arthritis called rotator cuff tear arthropathy. Symptoms include intense pain and muscle weakness, especially when lifting.

Whether your shoulder pain causes mild tenderness or complete loss of motion, it is important to see your doctor right away. According to NHIS, one in five adults in the United States report having doctor diagnosed arthritis of some form. Depending on your specific cause, your shoulder arthritis can be treated with non-surgical therapies as well as arthroscopy or joint replacement surgery. Taking the time to weigh the risks and benefits of each treatment plan is critical.

Don’t let your arthritis sideline you or keep you from moving and enjoying life the way you deserve. If you suspect you are suffering from arthritis in the shoulder, knee, hip or hands, please call Dr. Daniel Benhuri in Beverly Hills. We offer effective arthritis treatment for long-term relief of your painful and disruptive symptoms.