Arthritis is a term describing degenerative change in a joint. The most common type of arthritis is Osteoarthritis, which is often referred to as “wear and tear” changes affecting a major joint. There a many other types of arthritis, such as Rheumatoid arthritis, which are inflammatory conditions.
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Shoulder Arthritis
In the shoulder, arthritis can affect the shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint), or the Acromioclavicular joint between the clavicle (collarbone) and the acromion (shoulder-blade). Both osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis can affect these joints, leading to pain and stiffness. In the shoulder, another type of arthritis can occur, Cuff-tear arthritis, which is due to long-standing tears of the rotator cuff tendons and produces symptoms similar to osteoarthritis.
Who develops arthritis?
Arthritis is most common with advancing age, and symptoms are often mild and intermittent in the early stages, though slow progression is usual. Occasionally people who have had injuries to their shoulder, or have inflammatory arthritis, can develop arthritis at an earlier age.
Shoulder arthritis diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis is usually straightforward but requires an X-ray. Treatment in the early stages may include the following:
Shoulder arthritis physiotherapy
- Exercise
- Analgesia (pain relief)
- Modifying your activities
Shoulder arthritis surgery
With advanced arthritis usually, the treatment will involve surgery. This may be:
- Arthroscopy: Debridement and washout of the joint can relieve the symptoms of arthritis, but does not get rid of arthritis.
- Joint replacement (arthroplasty): This is the most common surgical treatment for arthritis (see surgery section).
- Excision of an arthritic Acromio-clavicular Joint.
Acromioclavicular joint excision
If the acromioclavicular joint has been injured previously or if there is evidence of arthritis, debridement or excision of the joint may be performed. Often this is performed in conjunction with subacromial decompression.
The operation is again usually performed with regional anaesthesia involving a nerve block to the ar, together with sedation or general anaesthetic depending on the individual. The operation is generally performed as a day case or overnight stay if performed late in the day.
The aim of the operation is to remove the worn surfaces of the joint, together with the damaged intraarticular disc, which lies between them.
3 small (0.5cm) wounds are required in order to introduce the arthroscope (camera) and the instruments. A shaver is utilised to remove the pathological tissue. 0.5 – 1.0 cm of the bone may be excised from the end of the clavicle (collar bone).
Following the surgery, the arm is placed in a sling for 2 – 3 days. By 2 weeks post-surgery, the patient should be able to raise the arm above shoulder height, achieving full range shortly afterwards, as the bruising from the operation resolves. Patients resume driving 1 – 2 weeks after the intervention.
By 8 weeks postoperative, a full range of movement and reasonable strength should have been regained (80% normal). Further progress can then be achieved over a 6 month period. Physiotherapy is required to retain muscles and restore normal posture and movement patterns.
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If you are self-paying you don’t need a referral from your GP for a consultation. You can simply refer yourself* and book an appointment.
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*Please note – for investigations such as X-rays and MRIs, a referral will be required. However, we may be able to arrange this for you through our on-site private GP.
