Osteo-Arthritis of the shoulder

Pain will be in the shoulder and down the arm and is worse at night. There may be a “grating” feeling in the shoulder and most movements result in pain.

A doctor can diagnose it by a clinical examination and it can usually be confirmed on X-ray.

During the early phases, anti-inflammatory medication can relieve the pain. A cortisone injection into the joint can give significant relief in some patients.

An arthroscopic debridement (clean out of the joint) may help to relieve pain in some patients. This procedure is done with key-hole surgery. Although it is not a “guaranteed” procedure for pain relief, it is often successful enough to advise it to many of our patients.

The above procedures are usually done to “gain time”, and often the patient will eventually require a shoulder replacement to relieve the severe pain.

The painful bony surfaces are replaced with metal and plastic surfaces to provide painless motion. The ball (humeral head) is replaced with a metal head and the socket (glenoid) is resurfaced with a plastic insert. These materials are high quality Titanium and polyethylene.

Under general anaesthesia, an incision is made in front of the shoulder. The abnormal head is removed and a head is positioned in place. In my practice a hemi-arthroplasty is done. This means that I only replace the humerus head. Reverse Shoulder (Also known as total shoulder replacement) replacements are only done if the patient has a irreparable rotator cuff muscle as well.

Most patients (80%) achieve good pain relief – increase in range of motion is usually a benefit, but is less predictable.

These are fortunately rare, but as with all joint replacements, may occur. These include infection, dislocation and in the long term components becoming loose.

These problems, although rare and unwanted, can usually be treated.