With three very important bones and four crucial joints making up the foundation of your shoulder, it’s one of the largest and most complex parts of your body. If you think about the variety of movements you go through in your day-to-day life, it’s no surprise that shoulder arthritis is more common than you’d think.
If you’re suffering from shoulder pain, then it’s important to know that arthritis is one of the most common causes. While we recommend making an appointment with us at OrthoManhattan to see a top NY shoulder specialist, it’s also important to understand that there are 5 types of arthritis of the shoulder:
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder, also called degenerative joint disease, is characterized by the gradual deterioration of the cartilage and other joint tissues. This type of arthritis is known as the wear and tear arthritis, slowly wearing away the articular cartilage, in turn, lessening the protective cartilage between bones. Osteoarthritis is commonly seen in people over 50, and the main symptom is pain caused by the rubbing together of the bones in the shoulder joint.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulder is an autoimmune disorder, which means your body attacks your own healthy cells, which may include the lining of the joint. Unfortunately, this means that it is common to have rheumatoid arthritis in both shoulders at the same time. With this type of arthritis, the immune response that normally protects your body from infection instead damages healthy tissue like cartilage and ligaments, which results in the softening of the bones.
Posttraumatic Arthritis
Posttraumatic arthritis is a form of osteoarthritis that develops after an injury such as a fracture or dislocation. This type of arthritis is responsible for about 12% of all osteoarthritis cases. Such injuries can damage the cartilage and/or the bone, changing the mechanics of the joint and making it wear out more quickly. The process of wearing out the joint tends to accelerate with excess body weight and/or continued trauma.
Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy
Arthritis can also develop after a large, long-standing rotator cuff tendon tear. This is known as rotator cuff tear arthropathy. After a rotator cuff tear, it’s common for the torn rotator cuff to no longer be able to support the humerus bone, causing it to rub against other bones and lead to the development of arthritis in your shoulder.
Avascular Necrosis
Avascular necrosis of the shoulder occurs when the blood supply to an area of the body is disrupted, causing the bone cells in that area to die (necrosis). As avascular necrosis progresses, it leads to the weakening and collapse of the bone, causing arthritis.
Make An Appointment with a NY Shoulder Specialist
If living with shoulder pain is holding you back, make an appointment with a NY shoulder specialist at OrthoManhattan. Either give us a call or submit a contact form in the top right corner of this page – appointments are available in-person as well as from the comfort of your own home via TeleVisit.