Glenohumeral Arthritis
What is it?
Glenohumeral arthritis is when damage occurs between the cartilage surfaces of the ball and socket part of the shoulder. It causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. Its symptoms can be quite variable, and it is distinguished from a ‘frozen shoulder’ due to x-ray changes.
What is it?
Glenohumeral arthritis is when damage occurs between the cartilage surfaces of the ball and socket part of the shoulder. It causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint. Its symptoms can be quite variable, and it is distinguished from a ‘frozen shoulder’ due to x-ray changes.
What causes it?
This tends to affect individuals over the age of 60 when there is no specific cause for this (primary arthritis) but can affect younger individuals when due to problems from trauma, inflammatory joint conditions or sepsis. Patients with large rotator cuff tears can sometimes develop a specific type of glenohumeral arthritis termed ‘rotator cuff arthropathy’.
What happens if you do nothing?
Glenohumeral arthritis will not improve with time, symptoms can ‘wax and wane’ but will gradually deteriorate.
What happens if you do nothing?
Glenohumeral arthritis will not improve with time, symptoms can ‘wax and wane’ but will gradually deteriorate.
What treatments are there?
When simple painkillers fail to manage your symptoms satisfactorily other treatment options to consider include injections such Hyaluronic Acid or anti-inflammatory steroids if the arthritis is not too severe. If the arthritis is significant nerve blockade of the suprascapular nerve can be helpful although often joint replacement is the best treatment for sustained relief.