SHOULDER ARTHRITIS
As joints get used over time, the smooth and nearly frictionless cartilage that covers the bones in the shoulder joint begins to thin. Eventually, the cartilage wears completely away to expose the bone underneath. When the bones in the shoulder joint begin to rub against one another during shoulder movement, it generates pain. Arthritis is the process by which the joint cartilage thins and wears away, much like tread on a tire. When the tires are new, they have a very thick tread. As more and more miles are put on the tires, the tread begins to thin until they need to be replaced. The same is true for joint cartilage.
In patients with shoulder arthritis that fails to improve with conservative or non-surgical treatment, surgery can be an option. A total shoulder replacement (both the “headball” and “socket” are replaced) is the procedure of choice for shoulder arthritis. A total shoulder arthroplasty can reliably both reduce pain and improve function in patients with shoulder arthritis.
[Learn more about shoulder replacement from eOrthopod]
Sometimes patients may have a combination of shoulder arthritis and a large or irreparable rotator cuff tear. This is known as rotator cuff tear arthropathy. This is a very difficult condition to treat, and multiple treatment options exist, including physical therapy, arthroscopic debridement (“clean-up” procedure), partial rotator cuff repairs, partial shoulder replacement and tendon transfers, depending on the patient’s symptoms and physical examination. Another treatment option is a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty / replacement. This is a unique shoulder replacement that “reverses” the normal anatomy of the shoulder. A “headball” component gets placed where the “socket” is, and a “socket” gets placed where the “headball” is, essentially reversing the parts of the shoulder joint. The reverse total shoulder arthroplasty / replacement can provide significant pain relief and improvement in shoulder movement, particularly raising the arm straight ahead (forward elevation).