How To Treat Shoulder Arthritis
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Shoulder arthritis is a condition where the cartilage that connects humeral head to the glenoid in the shoulder has been injured or damaged. In normal conditions, the surface of the bone that connects to another bone is usually covered with a layer of cartilage that creates a very smooth surface that decreases friction during movement dramatically. If the person has shoulder arthritis, the hyaline articular cartilage that is supposedly covering the bone has been diminished or damaged. This leads to the bone surface being exposed and friction is greatly increased. The bone surface will grate with another bone and this can cause extreme pain and possibly loss of function. This is the reason why the number one manifestation of shoulder arthritis is pain. The lack of necessary cartilage will create a grinding and grating sound when there is movement on the shoulder area. Thus, movement will aggravate the pain. The pain in shoulder arthritis may be felt at the front of the shoulder and may cause weakness to the affected arm. Significant swelling may also be seen at the shoulder area and tenderness will be felt upon palpation. The shoulder will be stiff as well.
Diagnosis of shoulder arthritis can be done though x-rays and magnetic resonance imaging paired with the findings of the physical examination and complete medical history. The most common form of shoulder arthritis is osteoarthritis. In older people, the cartilage covering the bones’ surfaces will gradually diminish and degenerate. This phenomenon is the cause of osteoarthritis especially in adults. In younger people, direct shoulder injury or trauma may be the cause of the injury to the cartilage and it may shatter into different fragments too. It is important to note that the risk of having shoulder arthritis will be increased if the person has had previous shoulder injury. Genetics may also play a part in this disorder. If your family has a history of arthritis or osteoarthritis, then there is a probability that you will develop that too once you get to a certain age.
Treating shoulder arthritis is mainly centered on alleviation of the pain sensation. Because the fibrous cartilage that has already been damaged will not regenerate by itself, then pain relief shall be provided to patients to afford temporary cure. Pain medications are usually administered too. Anti-inflammatory drugs are given. Although these are usually the basic treatments given, patients should be informed that the success story of one patient might not necessarily be the case to his or her condition. Physical therapy can definitely of great help. This will help increase range of motion and can strengthen the muscles and joints, which is surrounding the injury site. Cortisone injections may also be administered to relieve the inflammation in the area. If the case is in its most severe state, then surgery will be indicated. The surgery that will be performed by the physician is shoulder replacement surgery. In this procedure, a metal ball and socket will replace the damaged cartilage and will provide a permanent relief of the symptoms of shoulder arthritis.
Diagnosis of shoulder arthritis can be done though x-rays and magnetic resonance imaging paired with the findings of the physical examination and complete medical history. The most common form of shoulder arthritis is osteoarthritis. In older people, the cartilage covering the bones’ surfaces will gradually diminish and degenerate. This phenomenon is the cause of osteoarthritis especially in adults. In younger people, direct shoulder injury or trauma may be the cause of the injury to the cartilage and it may shatter into different fragments too. It is important to note that the risk of having shoulder arthritis will be increased if the person has had previous shoulder injury. Genetics may also play a part in this disorder. If your family has a history of arthritis or osteoarthritis, then there is a probability that you will develop that too once you get to a certain age.
Treating shoulder arthritis is mainly centered on alleviation of the pain sensation. Because the fibrous cartilage that has already been damaged will not regenerate by itself, then pain relief shall be provided to patients to afford temporary cure. Pain medications are usually administered too. Anti-inflammatory drugs are given. Although these are usually the basic treatments given, patients should be informed that the success story of one patient might not necessarily be the case to his or her condition. Physical therapy can definitely of great help. This will help increase range of motion and can strengthen the muscles and joints, which is surrounding the injury site. Cortisone injections may also be administered to relieve the inflammation in the area. If the case is in its most severe state, then surgery will be indicated. The surgery that will be performed by the physician is shoulder replacement surgery. In this procedure, a metal ball and socket will replace the damaged cartilage and will provide a permanent relief of the symptoms of shoulder arthritis.