What is Shoulder Arthritis?

Shoulder arthritis occurs when the smooth cartilage covering the joint surfaces gradually wears away, resulting in pain, stiffness and loss of movement.

As arthritis progresses, simple activities such as combing hair, reaching overhead or dressing may become difficult and painful.

Common Causes of Shoulder Arthritis

Shoulder arthritis may develop due to:

• Osteoarthritis (wear and tear arthritis)
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Previous fractures or dislocations
• Rotator cuff tear arthropathy
• Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the humeral head

Common Symptoms of Shoulder Arthritis

Patients commonly experience:

• Shoulder pain
• Stiffness and reduced movement
• Difficulty lifting the arm
• Pain while sleeping on the affected side
• Weakness of the shoulder
• Clicking or grinding sensations

Night pain and difficulty with daily activities are often the symptoms that bring patients to seek specialist treatment.

How is Shoulder Arthritis Diagnosed?

Diagnosis is based on:

• Clinical examination
• X-rays
• MRI scan
• CT scan in selected cases

These investigations help determine the severity of arthritis and the condition of the rotator cuff tendons and surrounding bone.

What are the Non-Surgical Treatments for Shoulder Arthritis?

Early arthritis can often be managed without surgery using:

• Activity modification
• Physiotherapy
• Pain medication
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Heat or ice therapy
• Cortisone injections in selected patients

Arthroscopic surgery may provide temporary relief in carefully selected patients with early arthritis but does not reverse the disease process.

When is Shoulder Replacement Recommended?

Shoulder replacement surgery may be advised when:

• Pain becomes severe and persistent
• Sleep is disturbed by shoulder pain
• Daily activities become difficult
• Physiotherapy and medications no longer help
• X-rays show advanced arthritis

The primary aim of surgery is to relieve pain and restore shoulder function and quality of life.

What are the types of Shoulder Replacements?

Total Shoulder Replacement

In a conventional total shoulder replacement, both the ball and socket of the shoulder joint are replaced.

This option is ideal for patients with:

• Advanced osteoarthritis
• Preserved rotator cuff tendons
• Good bone quality

Reverse Shoulder Replacement

In reverse shoulder replacement, the position of the ball and socket is reversed.

This design allows the deltoid muscle to compensate for a deficient rotator cuff.

It is particularly useful for patients with:

• Massive irreparable rotator cuff tears
• Cuff tear arthropathy
• Failed previous shoulder replacement
• Complex shoulder fractures
• Failed fracture fixation surgery

Shoulder Resurfacing

In selected younger patients, shoulder resurfacing may preserve more bone while providing pain relief and improved function.

This procedure replaces only the damaged joint surface rather than the entire shoulder joint.

What are the benefits of Shoulder Replacement Surgery?

After Shoulder Replacement Surgery, most patients experience:

• Excellent pain relief
• Improved movement
• Better shoulder strength
• Improved sleep quality
• Return to daily activities
• Improved quality of life

Modern shoulder replacement surgery has success rates comparable to hip and knee replacement surgery for pain relief.

How is the recovery after Shoulder Replacement Surgery?

Typical recovery milestones include:

• Hospital stay: 1-2 days
• Sling support: 4-6 weeks
• Gentle exercises begin immediately
• Functional recovery: 3-4 months
• Continued improvement for up to 12 months

A structured physiotherapy programme is essential for achieving the best outcome.

Why Choose Dr. Anand Jadhav?

Dr. Anand Jadhav has over 30 years of orthopaedic experience and specialises in:

• Total Shoulder Replacement
• Reverse Shoulder Replacement
• Revision Shoulder Replacement
• Shoulder Arthroscopy
• Complex Shoulder Reconstruction

Having trained extensively in the UK and internationally, he combines modern surgical techniques with personalised rehabilitation programmes to help patients regain comfort, confidence and shoulder function.