Treatment of Arthritis of the Shoulder
Treatment of arthritis of the shoulder may consist of simple home remedies, physical therapy or, in more severe cases, surgical intervention. To some degree, treatment of arthritis of the shoulder depends on the causes of the disorder. Shoulder arthritis may be of two types, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, each due to several causes.
Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder
The most common type of shoulder arthritis is osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease. It occurs when the cartilage covering the bones of the shoulder, the humerus, the scapula and the clavicle, wears away. Since the cartilage normally acts as a protective cover, without it the affected bones scrape against one another. This friction results in pain and swelling and may also cause the development of outgrowths of bone called bone spurs. This type of arthritis results not only in pain but in a limited range of motion in the affected area. Osteoarthritis may be caused by heredity, advancing age or traumatic injury.
Osteoarthritis may be treated in a number of ways. The simplest, least invasive methods are usually tried first.
Resting the Shoulder Joint
Alterations to the ways in which patients perform routine daily activities may make a marked difference in their comfort level. Examples of such changes may include:
- Wearing clothing with front closures
- Propping instead of holding appliances like hairdryers
- Using reaching tools to access items on high shelves
Home Remedies to Ease Pain and Increase Range-of-Motion
Doctors and therapists may recommend one or more of the following:
- Range-of-motion exercises
- Application of moist heat
- Ice packs
- Over-the-counter medications
- Dietary supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin
There are some conflicting reports of the efficacy of dietary supplements. Over-the-counter preparations and dietary supplements should only be taken after medical consultation.
Physical and Occupational Therapy
A prescribed course of physical or occupational therapy may do wonders for a patient suffering from arthritis. In addition to teaching the patient exercises to increase mobility and flexibility, such treatment enables the patient to become more aware of how arthritis affects the movements of the body and vice versa. Understanding the nature of the condition helps the patient to avoid putting stress on the shoulder joints. In addition, such therapies help patients to respect their own pain levels and to avoid exacerbating damage and discomfort.
Surgical Procedures
When nonsurgical treatments do not produce effective results and the patient is unable to continue with normal activities due to severe pain, surgical intervention may be necessary. Surgical procedures may include:
Total shoulder arthroplasty-Performed to treat arthritis of the glenohumeral joint, this procedure, also called shoulder joint replacement, involves replacing the whole shoulder.
Hemiarthroplasty - This surgical procedure, also used to treat arthritis of the glenohumeral joint, involves a replacement of the head of the humerus.
Resection arthroplasty - During this surgery only a small piece of the end of the collarbone is removed. This is the most common surgery used to treat arthritis of the acromioclavicular, or AC, joint.
Treatment of Bursitis of the Shoulder
There is a distinction between arthritis and bursitis of the shoulder, although treatments for the two conditions are often similar. Bursitis is an inflammation or irritation of a sac, or bursa, between tissues such as bone or muscle. Each bursa contains lubricating fluid which helps to keep movement flexible, so its inflammation results in friction and pain. Bursitis is more likely to result from repeated stress on the shoulder and may be treated in the following ways:
- Rest
- Application of ice to the area
- Use of anti-inflammatory or pain medications
- Physical therapy
- Surgery in extreme cases
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis, unlike osteoarthritis, is an autoimmune disease, normally treated by a rheumatologist, not an orthopaedist. It is normally treated with only medication and physical therapy. Nonetheless, when unremitting shoulder pain results from the disease, and medications do not resolve the issue, the shoulder joint may be replaced by an orthopaedic surgeon.
Risks of Treatment of Surgery of the Shoulder
While the surgical procedures done to relieve the pain and inflammation of arthritis of the shoulder are considered quite safe, there are always risks associated with any surgical procedure. These risks may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Blood clots
- Adverse reactions to anesthesia or medications
- Post-surgical infection
- Breathing problems