Shoulder osteoarthritis happens when the smooth cartilage cushioning the ball and socket joint of your upper arm and shoulder blade gradually wears down.
That constant, dull ache deep in your joint when you reach up to a top shelf or when you brush your hair is usually shoulder osteoarthritis. This condition may build up slowly over months or years, making simple tasks you do everyday more uncomfortable.
The good thing is, you can manage this stiffness, get back your mobility and manage the pain through safe movements rather than rushing straight to surgery.
This guide shows you what causes shoulder osteoarthritis, how it’s different from rotator cuff problems as well as how to manage it effectively.
What Is Shoulder Osteoarthritis?
Shoulder osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition where the smooth cartilage protecting your shoulder joint, either ball and socket joint or AC joint, breaks down over time.
As this protective cushion thins, the bones may start rubbing together. This can cause pain, stiffness, inflammation and a grinding feeling when you move your arm.
The Arthritis Foundation says that shoulder osteoarthritis may not be as common as knee or hip osteoarthritis, but around 1 in 3 people over the age of 60 may have it at some stage. So it’s important to understand the symptoms and take action early.
What Are the Symptoms of Shoulder Osteoarthritis?
The main symptoms of shoulder osteoarthritis are persistent joint pain, stiffness, limited range of motion and grinding or clicking sounds with movement.
According to a member of American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), some symptoms of shoulder arthritis can include:
- Persistent pain: Pain is the most common symptom and may worsen with activity. Eventually you may even have severe pain with any kind of movement.
- Night pain and stiffness: You may have severe pain at night that might even disrupt sleep.
- Limited range of motion: This may make everyday movements like reaching or brushing your hair difficult to do.
- Crepitus: You might feel a grinding feeling with clicking or snapping sounds every time you move your arm.
What Causes Shoulder Osteoarthritis?
The main causes of shoulder osteoarthritis are natural aging and the normal wear and tear on your joint over time, which may be due to past injuries or repetitive strain.
The Arthritis Foundation breaks down the causes into two types:
1. Primary Shoulder Osteoarthritis: This type has no single external cause and may develop naturally over time. These include:
- Age: It most frequently affects adults over the age of 50-60.
- Biological Sex: Women may be more likely to get diagnosed than men.
- Genetics: Your family history and genes can also play a role in your risk.
2. Secondary Shoulder Osteoarthritis: This type is triggered by some known cause or past medical condition that may have damaged the joint. It’s caused by:
- Past Injuries: A history of a broken bone or dislocated shoulders.
- Joint Damage: Chronic issues like rotator cuff tears or joint infections may also be a cause.
- Physical Strain: Working in manual jobs where you do a lot of heavy construction and lifting or playing specific sports might cause repetitive strain on your joints.
How Is Shoulder Osteoarthritis Different From a Rotator Cuff Injury?
Shoulder osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint conduction that damages the cartilage inside the ball and socket joint, whereas a rotator cuff injury is damage or a tear in the soft tissues, muscles and tendons surrounding the joint.
Shoulder Osteoarthritis vs Rotator Cuff Damage: Comparison Table
| Feature | Shoulder Osteoarthritis | Rotator Cuff Problem |
| What is damaged? | The smooth cartilage that’s cushioning the bone joint. | The muscles and tendons around the joint. |
| Where does it hurt? | A deep, dull ache deep in the back of your shoulder. | A sharp pain on the outside of your arm or shoulder. |
| How does it feel to move? | Your shoulder is stiff and hard to move, even if someone helps you lift your arm. | Your arm may feel too weak to lift by yourself, but someone else can easily lift it for you. |
| What is the main sign? | A grinding or clicking feeling when you move it. | Sudden arm weakness when you reach up or lift things. |
| How do doctors check it? | They use an X-ray to look at the bones. | They use an MRI scan or ultrasound to look inside the soft tissue. |
Note: Only a qualified medical professional using diagnostic imaging can provide you with an exact diagnosis, as these two conditions may sometimes happen at the same time.
How Is Shoulder Osteoarthritis Diagnosed?
Orthopedic specialists may diagnose shoulder osteoarthritis through a methodical process involving a medical history interview, a thorough physical exam and diagnostic imaging, usually X-rays.
Standard X-rays can confirm the diagnosis by showing joint space narrowing or soft-tissue bone spurs which may indicate that the cartilage has worn away.
If your doctor suspects tendon damage along with cartilage wear, they may order an MRI scan to check the surrounding soft tissue as well.
Can Shoulder Osteoarthritis Be Treated Without Surgery?
Yes, you can effectively manage shoulder arthritis without surgery, especially during the early to moderate stages, by changing how you move, doing physical therapy, taking pain medicine and managing inflammation.
Doctors usually always try these non-surgical steps first before recommending surgery. Only when these treatments fail to relieve severe pain, will your doctor suggest surgical procedures.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) strongly recommends specialized exercises to target your soft-tissue stiffness, improve your shoulder’s range of motion, and strengthen the rotator cuff muscles to physically protect your joint.
What Are the Safest Exercises for Shoulder Osteoarthritis?
The safest exercises for shoulder osteoarthritis include gentle stretches that maintain your range of motion like pendulum swings and supported wall slides. These are low impact and great to start with.
Once your joint feels stable, you can do some gentle strengthening like resistance band external rotations and upper back work may help support your posture without stressing your joint.
If you’re looking for some more specific exercises and a step by step routine to follow, you can check out a guide on the top 10 exercises to relieve shoulder pain and tightness.
Always do these exercises in a range of motion that feels comfortable and pain free. Stop immediately if you feel any sharp discomfort.
What Movements Should You Avoid With Shoulder Osteoarthritis?
When managing shoulder osteoarthritis, you should try to avoid any movements that may cause joint compression, friction of your bones or extreme tendon pinching.
You can get a personal trainer to modify your workouts avoiding heavy overhead lifting exercises, heavy pushing movements and actions that require you to reach behind your head. These movements may place a lot of stress on your cartilage and joints.
Also try to avoid sleeping directly on the painful shoulder without a supportive pillow. This may relieve the discomfort you feel at night.
Never try to force your arm past the limit that feels comfortable or try to push through sharp pain during your daily activities.
When Should You Consider Shoulder Replacement Surgery?
You should consider talking to an orthopedic surgeon about replacement surgery if severe pain doesn’t go away even after months of non-surgical treatment.
Surgery may become the only option if your shoulder gets so stiff that you can’t even do simple daily tasks like getting dressed or eating.
If you decide to get a joint replacement surgery done, following a structured online rehabilitation program before and after your operation may help you recover faster and more safely.
How Can ThriveCore Help With Shoulder Osteoarthritis?
We can help you manage your shoulder osteoarthritis by non-surgical methods like physiotherapy, safe, low-impact exercises and live video guidance so that you can move safely.
Your personal trainer monitors your form in real time, modifying the exercises to match your comfort and make it easier on days when you have extra pain.
Through our structured online arthritis & joint pain program, you get 45 minute sessions, three times a week for a period of 8 weeks total. This structured schedule is made to help build your strength, keep your joints steady and protect your ability to move comfortably.
Case Study: Managing Joint Degeneration Conservatively
Meera, a 58-year-old active worker, experienced a constant dull pain in her right shoulder for more than a year. It was almost impossible for her to sleep on her right side and reach for things high up, but she just assumed it was an age related issue.
After some research online, she decided to join ThriveCore’s online structured arthritis plan that focused on low-impact pendulum swings and light band routines in the first 2 weeks. As her shoulder became less stiff, her coach increased the intensity. The coach also adjusted her plan on days when her shoulder hurt extra instead of pushing her through the pain.
By week 6, she said that her shoulder hurt much less during the nights. By week 10, she could comfortably reach higher cabinets and brush her hair again. .
“I thought I would never be able to reach above my head again without pain. Having coach actually watch me exercise and make adjustments then and there is what truly helped.” – Meera
The Path to Less Pain and Better Mobility
Having shoulder osteoarthritis doesn’t mean you have to stop being active completely or get surgery right away.
By moving regularly with the right guidance, making small changes to your daily activities and building up your strength, you may be able to reduce your pain and manage better.
This approach will help protect your shoulder while keeping your mobility for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between shoulder osteoarthritis and a rotator cuff injury?
The main difference is the tissue that is damaged. For shoulder osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage inside the joint gets broken down. A rotator cuff injury is a stretch, strain or tear in the muscles and tendons surrounding the joint.
2. Can shoulder osteoarthritis be reversed?
No, shoulder osteoarthritis cannot be reversed. Once the protective cartilage wears away, the body cannot naturally regrow it. There’s currently no cure or medical treatment that can undo the physical wear and tear on the bone.
3. What is the best exercise for shoulder osteoarthritis?
Good exercises for shoulder osteoarthritis include gentle stretches like pendulum swings and wall slides. Light resistance band work is also helpful to build muscle safely. A guided, personalized plan can help find a plan for your particular level of pain and ability.
4. Does shoulder osteoarthritis cause pain at night?
Yes, shoulder osteoarthritis can cause severe pain at night. This may make it harder to fall asleep. You can try sleeping in a different position but if you have persistent night pain, you must discuss it with your doctor.
5. Can you live a normal life with shoulder osteoarthritis?
Yes, you can definitely live a normal life with shoulder osteoarthritis. While the arthritis itself cannot be cured, once the symptoms are managed well, they stop interfering with your daily routine.
6. When is shoulder replacement surgery necessary?
Shoulder replacement surgery may be necessary when pain is too severe, the stiffness stops you from doing your normal daily activities and non-surgical treatments no longer work.