Freed from Inflammation

Arthritis is caused by inflammation of a joint, leading to pain, discomfort, stiffness, and a limited range of motion. There are several forms and causes of arthritis, the most common being osteoarthritis. Also known as "wear-and-tear" arthritis, osteoarthritis is a condition that results in wearing away of the smooth joint covering (articular cartilage) of bone. When this protective cartilage wears away, you start to develop bone-on-bone contact which can cause significant pain, loss of motion, and grinding sensation in your shoulder. 

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms in your shoulder, it may be time for an evaluation from one of our expert Rochester Regional Health Shoulder Care Program providers. We will assess your symptoms, provide a diagnosis, and put together a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan.

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Do You Have Shoulder Arthritis?  

Shoulder arthritis commonly refers to damage or a breaking down of the cartilage inside the shoulder joint. Shoulder arthritis typically results from gradual wear and tear of this cartilage, first getting soft, then deteriorating, and finally, starting to wear away, exposing the surface of the bone. 

As the cartilage wears away, you may begin to experience:

• Pain in the shoulder joint
• Stiffness of the joint
• Grinding, clicking, or cracking of your shoulder 

Shoulder Arthritis Treatment

After an evaluation, our Shoulder Care Program team will provide you with the best possible treatment plan, typically starting with non-surgical options including:

• Lifestyle changes – avoiding activities that make your shoulder hurt
• Physical therapy to build strength and restore range of motion
• Pain control through ice and heat and over-the-counter medication
• Injection therapy, including cortisone injections, PRP, or stem cell injections

Learn more about non-surgical treatment options

Shoulder Replacement Surgery

When non-surgical treatments are not successful, we may recommend surgery to treat your shoulder arthritis using:

• Anatomic Shoulder Replacement – This surgery involves replacing the ball and socket of your joint with a similar ball and socket 
• Reverse Shoulder Replacement – This procedure involves replacing your shoulder with the ball in the socket position and the socket in the ball position. This procedure is reserved for patients with arthritis in addition to a torn rotator cuff.