Shoulder Arthritis

Because the shoulder does not usually bear our body weights (unless we do an extraordinary amount of chin-ups or even push-ups) it is not subject to the type of damage that causes osteoarthritis (bone-on-bone type degeneration) that occurs in the hips and knees.

Arthritis to the shoulder is usually triggered by an injury such as a dislocation or separation that has not healed properly. In these cases or even in the cases of past surgical intervention, connection soft tissues–the ligaments, tendons, and cartilage, have not completely healed or have become overstretched (ligament and tendon laxity).

This causes an excessive amount of “play” in the joint resulting in the previously mentioned chronic shoulder instability. When bones rub against bones or against soft tissue, inflammation, swelling and pain occurs. Over time, painful bone spurs may form and a surgical consult called for.

Often people will react by instinctively limiting their shoulder movements in order to lessen the pain. This can lead to a tightening or stiffening of the soft tissue parts of the joint, resulting in yet further pain and restriction of motion. In the worst cases, adhesive capsulitis may occur.