Not as common as hip and knee arthritis. Mostly affects older patients. Various factors can contribute to its development such as previous trauma or fracture of the upper end of the humerus.
Neglected chronic rotator cuff tears also leads to arthritis. Replacement with a metal joint gives relief and improvement of function. Mostly affects elderly patients. Various factors can contribute to its development such as previous trauma or fracture of the upper end of the humerus. Neglected chronic rotator cuff tears also leads to glenohumeral joint arthritis.
Recommended treatment and care needed for this condition:
Conservative measures such as pain medication and physiotherapy can give relief. The only option that remains if these measures fail, is a shoulder replacement. The arthritic humeral head is excised and a metal head and stem inserted. Patients who undergo surgery have improvement in the pain they experience as well as shoulder range of motion. This is major surgery and patients usually remain in hospital for 2-3 days post operative. Patients remain in a sling for 4-6 weeks and thereafter they commence with physiotherapy. Optimal shoulder function only returns after 6 months of rehabilitation.
Read about some more common shoulder ailments below.
