Shoulder Arthritis

A shoulder that dislocates or slips partly out of the socket, usually after a first dislocation stretched the ligaments and tore the labrum.

Shoulder Instability

Wear of the smooth cartilage lining the ball and socket of the shoulder, producing deep pain, grinding and progressive stiffness.

Shoulder Arthritis

Adhesive capsulitis: thickening and tightening of the joint capsule that stiffens the shoulder and causes months of pain, often with no injury at all.

Frozen Shoulder

A tear of the top of the labrum where the biceps tendon anchors, common in throwers and after a fall on an outstretched arm.

SLAP Tear

A sprain or separation of the joint where the collarbone meets the shoulder blade, usually from a fall onto the point of the shoulder.

AC Joint Injury

Inflammation, fraying or tearing of the biceps tendon where it anchors inside the shoulder, often alongside rotator cuff or labral problems.

Biceps Tendon Injury

Inflammation of the fluid-filled cushion between the rotator cuff and the bony roof of the shoulder, causing pain with reaching and lying on that side.

Shoulder Bursitis

Breaks of the collarbone, the upper arm bone at the shoulder, or the shoulder blade, from falls and collisions. Many heal in a sling; some need fixation or replacement.

Shoulder Fractures

Damage to the smooth cartilage surface of the ball or socket, from a dislocation, an injury or early wear, that causes pain, catching and the start of arthritis.

Shoulder Cartilage Injury

Overuse injuries of the shoulder and elbow in baseball, softball and other overhead athletes: labral tears, internal impingement, biceps problems and elbow ligament strain.

Throwing Injuries

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Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

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Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330

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What it is

Shoulder Arthritis

Shoulder arthritis is the loss of cartilage between the ball and the socket.

As the surface wears, bone rubs bone, spurs form, and the joint stiffens.It is less common than hip or knee arthritis but just as disabling when it affects sleep and dressing.

At a glance

Also calledGlenohumeral arthritis

Most commonAfter 60, or after injury

First stepExam and X-ray, same visit

Treated by

J. Ryan Taylor, MD, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. TaylorShoulder and Sports Medicine

Kevin Christensen, MD, Knee, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. ChristensenKnee, Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Total Shoulder Replacement

or call801-640-0000

Shoulder Arthritis

Symptoms

A deep ache in the shoulder, often felt in the back of the joint, worse with use and at night.Grinding or clicking with motion. Progressive loss of rotation, making it hard to reach behind the back or wash hair.

Weakness is usually from pain and stiffness rather than tendon failure, unless the cuff is also torn.

Common signs

Deep ache, often at the back

Grinding or clicking with motion

Trouble reaching behind the back

Night pain on that side

See us sooner if

Pain after a fall or dislocation

Sudden weakness lifting the arm

Shoulder Arthritis

Causes

Osteoarthritis from age and use is most common.Prior fractures, dislocations and surgery accelerate it. Rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis attack the joint lining. A long-standing massive rotator cuff tear causes a specific pattern called cuff tear arthropathy.Avascular necrosis, where the ball loses blood supply, is a less common cause.

Shoulder Arthritis

How We Diagnose It

Exam shows restricted rotation and pain at the end of motion.X-rays confirm joint space loss and spurs. A CT scan maps socket wear when replacement is being planned, and MRI assesses the rotator cuff.Distinguishing arthritis from a cuff tear or frozen shoulder changes the treatment entirely.Replacement is a last step; many Utah Valley patients manage well for years with injections and keep hiking and golfing. Dr. Taylor and Dr. Christensen operate at Utah Valley Hospital and Timpanogos Regional Hospital.

Shoulder Arthritis

Treatment Options

Activity modification, anti-inflammatories, physical therapy to preserve motion, and corticosteroid injections help many patients for years.

Arthroscopic debridement has a limited role.When pain limits daily life, total shoulder replacement restores the joint if the cuff is intact. Reverse replacement is used when the cuff has failed.

Your options

Non-surgical

Activity changes

Anti-inflammatories

Physical therapy

Injection

Surgical

Arthroscopic debridement

Total replacement

Reverse replacement

Reverse Total Shoulder

Shoulder Arthroscopy

Shoulder Arthritis

Procedures That Address It

Total Shoulder Replacement

Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement

Shoulder Arthroscopy

Shoulder Arthritis

Surgeons Who Treat It

Dr. Taylor, MD

Dual fellowship trained in sports medicine and in shoulder and elbow surgery. Former Division I football player.

Dr. Christensen, MD

Andrews Institute sports medicine fellowship under Dr. James Andrews. Board certified in orthopedic surgery and orthopedic sports medicine. Fluent in Spanish.

or call801-640-0000

ContactTalk toa real person.

Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

Call801-640-0000

TextSend a text

Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330