Shoulder Degenerative Joint Disease
Shoulder degenerative joint disease is another term for osteoarthritis in the shoulder. It usually occurs in people who are older than 50 or in those who have suffered severe trauma to the affected shoulder.
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Causes
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Osteoarthritis in the shoulder occurs when the cartilage that covers the tops of the bones in the shoulder joint wears down over time, causing the ends of the two bones in the joint to rub together.
Symptoms
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Pain is the most obvious symptom of shoulder osteoarthritis. The pain is generally present when the shoulder is moved and just after movement. The pain is generally accompanied by a limitation on the shoulder's range of motion, making it difficult to move in more extreme angles. Often, a creaking or groaning can be heard from the joint when used.
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Diagnosis
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Shoulder osteoarthritis is diagnosed first in a physical exam to see when and how the pain occurs when the shoulder is used. An X-ray may be performed to check for missing or reduced cartilage or whether bone spurs are present, and the doctor may also perform an arthroscopic procedure to verify the damage to the joint.
Treatment
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Range of motion exercises and NSAID medications are used if surgery is not performed, coupled with reducing activities that may aggravate the condition. Corticosteroids are also sometimes used to reduce pain and inflammation. If conservative treatment fails to bring enough relief, surgery might be performed on the joint to remove inflamed tissue and to help rebuild the missing cartilage.
Prognosis
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Conservative treatment is generally effective, assuming the patient limits his activity so as to not aggravate the condition. Patients who undergo surgical treatment for shoulder osteoarthritis almost universally find themselves with a completely restored range of motion and a near-complete reduction in symptoms.
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