Shoulder Arthritis Treatment in Chillicothe, OH
Arthritis Overview
Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more of your joints or any condition where there is damage to the cartilage. Shoulder arthritis occurs when the cartilage starts to wear down on the ball and/or socket sides of the shoulder joint.
The shoulder has two joints. Shoulder arthritis sometimes refers to arthritis in the glenohumeral joint, which is the larger of the two. When the second joint in the shoulder develops arthritis, it is sometimes referred to as AC joint arthritis.
Types of Shoulder Arthritis
There are over many different types of arthritis. The types that most commonly affect the shoulder are:
- Osteoarthritis – This is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs often in older people. It is a condition that destroys the cartilage of bone. As the cartilage wears away, the bones of the joint rub against each other and cause pain.
- Posttraumatic arthritis – This is a form of osteoarthritis that develops after an injury, such as a shoulder fracture or dislocation.
- Rheumatoid arthritis – An auto-immune disease that attacks multiple joints throughout the body. This most often affects women of childbearing age. It most commonly affects joints of the hands and feet and tends to be symmetrical, affecting both sides of the body.
- Shoulder cuff tear arthropathy – Arthritis can develop after a chronic, retracted rotator cuff tendon tear. When a torn rotator cuff cannot hold the head of the humerus in the glenoid socket, this can cause asymmetric rubbing of the humeral head against the socket, causing arthritis to develop.
- Avascular necrosis (AVN) – This is a painful condition where the blood supply to the head of the humerus is disrupted. Bone cells die without a supply of blood, so AVN can lead to the destruction of the shoulder joint and arthritis.
Diagnosing Shoulder Arthritis
To determine whether you suffer from shoulder arthritis, Dr. Cohen or one of his sports medicine colleagues will gather a complete “history of present illness” from you. Next, the doctor will conduct a focused, comprehensive physical exam to evaluate your shoulder for areas of tenderness, assess range of motion and establish whether you have normal or decreased arm strength. Depending on the findings, they may order an X-ray, perform an ultrasound and/or order an MRI or CT scan.
Why Choose Dr. Cohen?
OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE
One of the first orthopedic surgeons employed by a large hospital. Dr. Cohen spent 20 years.
TRUSTED BY OVER 100,000+ PATIENTS WORLDWIDE
Over his distinguished career, Dr. Cohen has cultivated a reputation of excellence and trust among his patients and his peers.
UTILIZING THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY
To achieve the best surgical outcomes, Dr. Cohen utilizes the most advanced technologies and techniques, keeping his practice state of the art.
PATIENT SAFETY IS TOP PRIORITY
An individualized, patient-focused process coupled with decades of training and experience help ensure maximum safety for all of Dr. Cohen’s patients.
Shoulder Arthritis Causes and Risk Factors
Shoulder arthritis is caused by the wearing out of the cartilage that covers the ends of a bone. This can be caused by aging, wear and tear over time, joint diseases, injury or deformity.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of a shoulder arthritis include:
- Pain and weakness, which is aggravated by activity and may worsen at night
- Swelling or tenderness in the joints
- Early morning stiffness
- Limited range of motion
Shoulder Arthritis Treatment Options
Shoulder arthritis is typically treated through rest, dietary supplements, corticosteroid injections, anti-inflammatory medications, occupational therapy and/or physical therapy. In more severe cases, surgery may be recommended. The best course of action will depend on factors such as your age and the severity of the disease. Common surgical treatments for shoulder arthritis include shoulder arthroscopy and total shoulder replacement.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you would like to learn more about your shoulder arthritis treatment options, schedule a personal consultation with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brian Cohen. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Cohen is a well-trained surgeon who offers a customized approach to your orthopedic care. He has extensive experience with shoulder arthritis. Call or email his office today.
