The glenohumeral joint (GHJ) is the joint between the head of the upper arm bone and the shoulder blade. It is frequently affected by arthritis.
There are different types of arthritis that affect the shoulder. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of shoulder arthritis, however in some patients, rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory arthritis may be the cause of symptoms.
CAUSES
Osteoarthritis is a condition that arises from the cartilage surfaces rubbing together in such a way that causes the cartilage to deteriorate. This deterioration happens over time and may initiate from a previous shoulder injury, overuse or for no reason other than age.
Deterioration of the joint following an injury may be due to one of the bones or tendons healing in an incorrect position. Even the slightest difference in position may cause the joint to move in a different way, causing the cartilage surfaces to rub and gradually wear down.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects the lining of the joints and over time this can destroy the cartilage.
SYMPTOMS
The main symptom of arthritis is pain. Depending on which joint is affected, pain may be felt in either the front or back of the shoulder. Stiffness may also be experienced along with a grating or grinding sensation with movement.
In some cases, inflammation may occur from loose bodies in the joint. These loose bodies may be cartilage that has broken away from the joint surface due to deterioration.
Symptoms tend to worsen as the condition progresses.
TREATMENT
Treatment depends on the severity and progression of the condition. Should non-surgical treatment be ineffective, surgical options may be discussed.
Non-Surgical
Non-Surgical treatment involves activity modification, rest, physiotherapy, and simple analgesics. Activity modification, which means avoiding physical activities that aggravate the shoulder, remains the cornerstone of treatment. Physiotherapy is used to help strengthen the shoulder muscles and improve shoulder function. Regular panadol is often effective in relieving pain. Many people find the slow release preparations of panadol particularly helpful. Anti-inflammatory medications are used intermittently. Cortisone injections into the shoulder joint may help to reduce inflammation and pain. However, the effect of the steroid injection is usually only temporary, rarely lasting more than a few months. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections are found to be helpful by some people. Synvisc injections, which is Hyaluronan and is produced from chicken combs, have not been found to be as effective in the shoulder compared to the knee.
