Your shoulders are full of many bones, ligaments, muscles and tendons that help the top half of your body function. Shoulder pain can arise from various conditions that affect the structures in your shoulders. Arthritis is a common cause of shoulder pain.
Learn how to determine the signs of shoulder arthritis and what treatments you can receive to alleviate the pain.
7 Signs of Shoulder Arthritis
Arthritis affects joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons by wearing away the cartilage that prevents friction between the meeting point of bone ends. Shoulder arthritis feels like recurrent pain and stiffness in your shoulder joints. Other symptoms include the following:
- Gradual increase of shoulder pain over time
- Shoulder pain increases after a period of inactivity
- The shoulder is sensitive to pressure and feels tender
- Swelling in the shoulder joint
- Catching, popping or cracking sensations in the shoulder
- Loss of motion or increased shoulder stiffness
- Shoulder pain worsens with certain movements
If you notice you’re experiencing some shoulder arthritis symptoms, consulting a doctor to discuss your symptoms can help you receive treatment faster.
Types of Shoulder Arthritis
Shoulder arthritis has three common forms— osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Each type has similar symptoms, but the developmental causes are different:
- Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is known as a degenerative joint disease. It affects the wear and tear of the cartilage in the shoulder, leading to swelling, immobility and pain. This form of arthritis is the most common to appear in the shoulders.
- Post-Traumatic arthritis: Post-traumatic arthritis is a particular kind of osteoarthritis. It typically arises when cartilage in the shoulder is damaged during a traumatic event, whether it be an injury from an accident, fall or blow to the shoulder.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes your body to attack its healthy cells, including joint linings in the shoulders.
Shoulder Arthritis Treatment
Nonsurgical treatments like regularly stretching, making lifestyle changes, taking medication or receiving injections can make shoulder arthritis pain more bearable. In more severe cases, corrective surgery may be the best solution. Dr. Mufaddal Gombera can recommend the treatment that meets your specific needs best.
Contact Mufaddal Gombera, MD for Relief Today
You don’t have to endure the pain of shoulder arthritis. Dr. Mufaddal Gombera specializes in expert, personalized care for all types of shoulder pain. Call us at 713-794-3457 for appointment inquires or book your online appointment today.