Shoulder Arthritis
Stiffness that steals reach. Modern shoulder replacement has changed this story.
Overview
Understanding shoulder arthritis
Arthritis wears the cartilage between the ball and socket of your shoulder, and stiffness is its signature — reach shrinks year over year until dressing, sleeping, and overhead tasks all negotiate with pain.
Shoulder replacement has advanced dramatically: anatomic replacement resurfaces the joint when the rotator cuff is healthy, and reverse replacement re-engineers the mechanics when it isn't. Between them, the large majority of arthritic shoulders have a reliable surgical answer when the time comes.
Symptoms
What it feels like
- Deep joint ache, often felt at the back of the shoulder
- Progressive loss of motion — reaching overhead and behind
- Grinding or clunking with rotation
- Night pain and difficulty finding a sleeping position
Common causes
Why it happens
- Age-related osteoarthritis
- Old trauma or dislocations (post-traumatic arthritis)
- Long-standing massive rotator cuff tears (cuff-tear arthropathy)
- Inflammatory arthritis
Diagnosis
How it's diagnosed
X-rays establish the diagnosis and pattern; CT maps socket wear when replacement is being planned; and cuff integrity — assessed by exam and imaging — decides which replacement design fits your shoulder.
Treatment
The full range of options
Non-surgical
Motion-preserving therapy
Gentle mobility and posterior capsule work defend the range you have while strengthening what supports it.
Injections and activity design
Corticosteroid injections calm flares; adapting provocative tasks keeps daily life livable through the earlier stages.
Surgical
Anatomic total shoulder replacement
Resurfacing ball and socket for arthritic shoulders with an intact rotator cuff — excellent, durable pain relief and restored reach.
Reverse total shoulder replacement
Reversing the ball-and-socket geometry lets the deltoid power the arm when the cuff is deficient — the transformative option for cuff-tear arthropathy.
Recovery
The road back
Shoulder replacement recovery front-loads protection (sling for the early weeks) then rebuilds motion and strength over three to six months. Pain relief is often noticeable early — many patients report the arthritis ache gone within weeks, with function continuing to climb for a year.
Dr. Johnson's approach
Dr. Johnson stages shoulder arthritis honestly: defend motion and comfort as long as non-surgical care is genuinely working, and when it stops working, choose the replacement design your anatomy — especially your rotator cuff — actually calls for.
Straight answers
Frequently Asked Questions
The information on this site is for education only and is not a medical diagnosis or a substitute for professional medical advice. Every patient is different — please consult Dr. Johnson or a qualified provider about your specific condition.
Ready when you are
Take the first step past shoulder arthritis
A focused evaluation, an honest conversation, and a plan built for your goals.