The risk of developing osteoarthritis of the shoulder increases with age. Wear in the shoulder can cause pain and physical limitations. But an injury, such as a dislocated shoulder, can also lead to shoulder osteoarthritis in young people. This blog provides more information about the causes of and treatments for shoulder osteoarthritis. Read on to learn how shoulder osteoarthritis can affect range of motion and the ability to do everyday things, and discover ways to treat and manage the condition.
What is osteoarthritis?
What exactly is osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, occurs when the cartilage that surrounds bones and joints, known as articular cartilage, wears out or deteriorates. This causes swelling, pain and sometimes the development of osteophytes, when the ends of the two bones rub against each other.
What is osteoarthritis of the shoulder? The shoulder is made up of two joints, the acromioclavicular (AC) joint and the glenohumeral joint. The AC joint is the point where the collarbone, aka the collarbone, meets the acromion, which is the tip of the shoulder blade. The glenohumeral joint is the point where the top of the arm bone, or humerus, meets the scapula, or scapula. Osteoarthritis usually occurs in the AC joint.
Who is most sensitive to this? Osteoarthritis is most common in people over the age of 50. In younger people, osteoarthritis can be the result of an injury or trauma, such as a broken or dislocated shoulder. This is called post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis can also be hereditary. In addition, osteoarthritis in the shoulder is twice as common in women as compared to men.
What are the Symptoms of Shoulder Osteoarthritis?
As with most types of osteoarthritis, pain is an important symptom. A person with shoulder osteoarthritis will probably have pain while moving the shoulder and also after frequent use of the shoulder. The person may even be in pain while sleeping. Another symptom may be limited range of motion. This limitation is noticeable when you try to move your arm. You can also notice this if someone moves your arm to assess the range of motion. Moving the shoulder can also cause a clicking or cracking sound.
Read more about osteoarthritis, its symptoms, diagnoses and tips and advice on Moving without pain.
