You may have heard the term ‘arthritis’ before – but did you know that there isn’t just one single form of this condition? Rather, arthritis refers to pain or disease in the joints throughout the body. When the cartilage that protects our joints and allows them to move freely wears away, different forms of arthritis may set in and begin causing issues.
Arthritis of the Shoulder
The main bones of the shoulder are the humerus, scapula and clavicle. Of these three bones, two joints exist – one where the clavicle meets the shoulder blade, and the other where the humerus fits into the scapula. With the most common type of arthritis, the cartilage protecting these joints wears away, especially over time, creating issues where the bones rub directly against one another. When arthritis develops in either joint, pain is almost certain. Pain may be felt in the top of the shoulder and radiate to the side of the neck, or the back of the shoulder. A limited range of motion may also be a symptom, making it difficult to complete mundane tasks, move the arm for any reason, or even cause difficulty sleeping.
The exact form and cause of your arthritis, regardless of location, will always be determined before treatment begins. While there is no outright cure for the condition, there are several ways to treat arthritis in order to reduce the pain it causes or return the joint’s functionality including medication, physical therapy or certain types of braces – depending on your situation.
