When Shoulder Pain Won’t Go Away: Is Shoulder Arthritis to Blame?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one in five adults in the United States suffers from some form of arthritis affecting their joints and/or connective tissues. Shoulder arthritis is even more common, impacting millions across the globe.

Board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist Robert A. Mileski, MD, employs state-of-the-art surgical and nonsurgical techniques to relieve arthritis, shoulder, and joint pain, and other injuries, at Phoenix Orthopedic Group in Scottsdale, Arizona.

What causes shoulder pain?

Since your shoulder joint is flexible, the area remains vulnerable to injury. Causes of pain here may be due to:

Rotator cuff injuries
Bursitis
Tendonitis
Frozen shoulder
Nerve injuries
Muscle strains
Dislocated shoulders
Shoulder fractures

Shoulder arthritis, resulting from wear and tear over time, may also be the culprit. Dr. Mileski gets to the root of your pain to determine the best course of action.

The ins and outs of shoulder arthritis

One of the most overworked areas of our bodies, our shoulders lie at the intersection of three bones, the shoulder blade, upper arm bone, and collarbone. When the cartilage protecting the ball and/or socket sides of the shoulder joint breaks down, whether as a result of past injuries or ongoing wear and tear, shoulder arthritis can occur.

Shoulder arthritis may cause:

Sharp or dull aches
Limited range of motion
Difficulty sleeping
Stiffness
Weakness

You may also hear clicking or popping sounds when you move your arms.

What causes this issue in the first place?

Slippery, flexible cartilage enables bones to glide smoothly as it cushions them from impact. When you suffer from shoulder arthritis, the bones rub directly against each other, resulting in pain and stiffness. This may occur due to former injuries, aging, overuse, and/or genetics.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease inflicting painful bone-on-bone contact. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to misguidedly attack your own joint tissue, causing swelling and pain.

Dr. Mileski employs several methods to discern whether arthritis lies at the root of your pain. After reviewing your medical history and performing a shoulder exam to check your range of motion and other issues, the doctor may order a CT scan, MRI, or shoulder X-ray to pinpoint its precise causes.

How to treat it

Shoulder arthritis may be treated in a variety of ways. Dr. Mileski considers the least invasive methods first, as appropriate, such as icing or warming away the pain. Place ice packs or frozen peas in a bag for 20 minutes at a time to lessen inflammation, or use a heating pad to relax the region.

The doctor may also recommend:

Cortisone shots with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from your own blood
Hyaluronic acid (HA) injections to lubricate joints and lessen pain
Range-of-motion exercises
Limiting certain sports activities, such as golf, tennis or pickleball

If these actions fail to reduce your pain, surgery may be the answer.

Types of arthritis surgery

Depending upon your specific condition, Dr. Mileski may suggest such surgeries as:

Arthroscopic shoulder debridement

Employing a small camera, known as an arthroscope, Dr. Mileski inserts surgical tools to clean the area. This technique is used for minor levels of arthritis.

Standard shoulder replacement

Dr. Mileski replaces your shoulder joint’s ball and socket with artificial parts.

Reverse total shoulder replacement

If you also possess a rotator cuff tear or injury, Dr. Mileski may place a socket prosthesis on your arm side and ball on your joint’s socket side, which is the opposite of its natural placement.

When less invasive options don’t help, Dr. Mileski uses his decades of surgical experience to relieve your pain.

Let us shoulder your pain

Dr. Mileski provides a range of surgical and nonsurgical treatments to help resolve your orthopedic problems, whether due to arthritis or another issue. Our team may also recommend a physical therapist to provide helpful exercises to perform in the comfort of your home.

If you’re tired of suffering silently and wish to discuss your options for shoulder arthritis or other orthopedic issues, simply schedule a consultation online or by phone with Dr. Mileski at Phoenix Orthopedic Group today.