What Are the Symptoms of Shoulder Arthritis?

Imagine reaching out to snooze your alarm like you have done a million times before. But this time, mid-stretch, you feel a sharp pain emanating through your shoulder. It is so piercing that you stop midair, all while your alarm continues to buzz. The cause of your pain may be shoulder arthritis. This debilitating condition can result in an array of symptoms that make it difficult to perform various tasks. Here is what you should know.

Primary Symptoms of Shoulder Arthritis

Shoulder arthritis describes a condition involving inflammation and shoulder joint degeneration. Naturally, such changes result in a wide range of symptoms that typically limit your range of movement and cause varying degrees of pain. While shoulder arthritis can be classified as osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, or rotator cuff tear arthropathy, OA is most common. The typical symptoms of shoulder arthritis are:

• Pain and Stiffness
• Grinding or Clicking Sensations
• Swelling and Tenderness
• Weakness and Limited Range of Motion

What Could It Be if Not Shoulder Arthritis?

Shoulder arthritis shares several symptoms with at least other shoulder conditions. These are the most common:

• Rotator Cuff Tendonitis or Tear: Even small tears in the rotator cuff can also limit motion and cause pain.
• Bursitis: Where the tiny fluid-filled sacs designed to mitigate joint friction get inflamed
• Frozen Shoulder: When your shoulder joint gets so stiff it “freezes,” which limits your range of motion.
• Labral Tear: If you tear the ring of cartilage surrounding your shoulder socket, you may experience pain along with a feeling of shoulder locking, popping, or grinding.

By visiting an orthopedic specialist, you can uncover the root cause of your shoulder pain so that you can explore the treatment options best suited for you. Conditions like this worsen over time, so the sooner, the better.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Dealing with shoulder pain can be frustrating and debilitating, especially when you’re not sure of the cause. But at Summit Orthopaedics in Lake Oswego, OR, we specialize in diagnosing and treating a variety of orthopedic conditions, including shoulder arthritis. Our team is dedicated to providing advanced techniques and technology that will help alleviate your pain so you can get back to living life to the fullest.  Call 503-850-9940 to schedule an appointment to get started.