Shoulder Arthritis
Your shoulder is made up of three bones and various muscles and tendons that keep it tightly articulated:
They move in two places: the glenohumeral joint and the acromioclavicular joint. The overall shoulder joint is one of the more mobile joints in your body. Even though it's pretty stable, it can still be affected by various injuries and medical conditions, such as arthritis.
When you have arthritis in shoulder pain, your quality of life is greatly affected. The term arthritis refers to inflammation of the joint; it actually describes a group of conditions. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, and it's the leading cause of disability in the United States. Midtown Manhattan pain and sports medicine team is well-versed in treatment for shoulder arthritis and can help you immediately.
- The upper arm bone or humerus
- The shoulder blade or scapula
- The collarbone or clavicle
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Types of Shoulder Arthritis
Not only is your shoulder an important joint, but it can be affected by arthritis in many different ways. Although several named conditions fall under the umbrella of arthritis, the disease itself can be categorized into four main categories. Some fall into one or two categories, while others are completely independent. The main categories of arthritis are:
Degenerative
which includes osteoarthritis and post-traumatic arthritis. Degenerative arthritis is the most common type and affects mostly older people. It's most often due to the normal wear and tears a joint suffers when the cartilage slowly becomes thinner with age. Degenerative arthritis also includes arthritis that occurs after a trauma, like a fall or sports injury.
Inflammatory or auto-immune
such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Infectious
also called septic arthritis
Metabolic
which includes gouty arthritis
The Symptoms of the Four Types
The hallmark symptoms of arthritis in the shoulder are pain, swelling, stiffness, and decreased range of movement or function. The characteristics of the pain can vary, although the other symptoms stay relatively the same. If you think you have shoulder arthritis, look for pain that has:
Family history increased age and weight, and previous injuries are all factors that predispose you to risk for degenerative shoulder arthritis. Some conditions, like your weight, are under your control. Others, like your family history, you can't do anything about.
Ready to find relief from shoulder arthritis?
Dr. Melepura's Midtown Manhattan clinic offers same-day appointments for evaluation and treatment.
Quick and Painless
The diagnosis of arthritis in shoulder conditions is relatively simple for your NYC doctor. The physical exam tells the doctor where you're tender, how much power and range of motion your affected limb has and if any nerves or vessels are involved. If you have the symptoms and history of a fall or injury, a quick diagnosis is made, and shoulder arthritis treatment can start immediately.
Your doctor may also suggest additional tests like x-rays, an MRI, and blood work. These tests tell him whether there are bone spurs or decreased joint space. The tests also reveal if your arthritis in the shoulder is due to auto-immune, inflammatory, infectious, or metabolic arthritis.
Treatment for Shoulder Arthritis
Lifestyle Modification
Even though there's no cure for shoulder arthritis, several treatment options are available to maintain your quality of life. The goals of treatment are to reduce pain and maintain joint function and mobility. You may need to make lifestyle modifications, submit to medical treatment or even succumb to surgery.
Lifestyle modifications can work medicine and surgery can't. It's your responsibility to rest your shoulder, do the prescribed physical therapy, maintain an appropriate weight and stop aggravating factors like smoking and excessive shoulder strain.
Arthritis in Shoulder Treatment
Medical arthritis in shoulder treatment includes pain medications like NSAIDs or opioids, and specific arthritis medications if you have auto-immune, infective or metabolic arthritis. Steroid Injections can decrease inflammation and pain.
Surgical shoulder arthritis treatment, if necessary, consists of either arthroscopy or arthroplasty. Arthroscopy uses a scope to visualize and sometimes repair damage in the joint. Arthroplasty is needed when the joint surface is replaced or remodeled because it's too damaged.
Pain Management and Recovery
Pain is the most aggravating arthritis in the shoulder problems. The management of your pain by your Midtown Manhattan pain management team aids in recovery and improves your quality of life. Heat and ice packs, NSAIDs, opioids, and local anesthetics help decrease pain and improve joint mobility.
Recovery from surgery depends on the type of surgery that's done and how closely you follow your doctor's post-operative instructions. Shoulder arthritis, as inevitable as it sometimes is, doesn't have to derail your life. Get arthritis in shoulder treatment and get back to your life.
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Dr. Febin Melepura, MD
Double Board-Certified Pain Specialist
Meet Dr. Febin Melepura: Your Shoulder Arthritis Specialist in NYC
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD is a double board-certified interventional pain management specialist and the founder of the Sports Pain Institute of New York. He completed his residency and fellowship training at New York Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Medical Center, one of the nation's leading academic medical centers.
He holds dual board certifications from the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Pain Medicine, and has treated more than 7,500 patients and performed over 5,250 procedures throughout his career. He has been named a Top Pain Management Doctor in New York and one of America's Top Doctors™ by Castle Connolly.
Dr. Melepura's approach to shoulder arthritis is rooted in precision: identify the exact source, treat it with a targeted injection, and get you back to your daily life as quickly as possible.
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