Dr Marcus Chia - Shoulder Surgeon
Learn about shoulder arthritis causes and treatment options.
Shoulder arthritis occurs when the cartilage in your shoulder joints breaks down. Arthritis is a common condition causing joint inflammation. There are two joints in your shoulder:
Shoulder arthritis can affect one or both joints, depending on the type. There are several different types of shoulder arthritis:
Your treatment will depend on the type of arthritis you have, the joint that is affected and any other health conditions or concerns.
The most common symptom of shoulder arthritis is pain. This pain may feel like a deep ache in the joint. Pain can occur in different locations in the shoulder, depending on the type of arthritis you have. The pain may also radiate to other nearby areas, such as the neck.
The pain may be more noticeable with movement, exercise or sleeping, and it can get worse over time.
If you have shoulder arthritis, you may also experience a limited range of motion. You may find it difficult or painful to lift your arm.
There are different causes for the various types of shoulder arthritis, including:
If Dr Chia suspects you may have shoulder arthritis, he will perform a physical examination and discuss your symptoms. You will need an X-Ray to determine what type of shoulder arthritis you have and how much bone is impacted. You may also need a CT scan.
If you are diagnosed with shoulder arthritis, Dr Chia will discuss your treatment options and next steps / Develop a plan to help you reduce your symptoms and recover.
There are surgical and non-surgical treatment options for shoulder arthritis.
Many people with shoulder arthritis don’t need surgery and can manage their symptoms with:
Dr Chia will develop a personalised treatment plan with exercises and steps to help you regain your motion.
If you aren’t able to relieve your symptoms through non-surgical treatment options, or if your shoulder arthritis is severe, you may need surgery.
Shoulder replacement surgery, also called shoulder arthroplasty, is a successful treatment for shoulder arthritis. Shoulder replacement surgery replaces the ball and socket in the shoulder joint. During the surgery, Dr Chia removes the ball in your shoulder joint and attaches a metal ball in its place, and covers the socket with a plastic surface.
You can have a total shoulder replacement surgery, or partial surgery in which only the ball is replaced.
Shoulder replacement surgery aims to restore the normal anatomy of the joint, and you need a well-functioning rotator cuff to restore your shoulder function.
If your rotator cuff is torn, you will need a different type of surgery called a reverse shoulder replacement surgery. This type of surgery is also done on people who have had previous shoulder surgery that didn’t work.
The metal ball gets attached to your shoulder bones, and a socket is implanted at the top of your arm.
Shoulder replacement surgery is serious surgical procedure, and you will need time to heal and recover. You will have follow-up with a physiotherapist who can assist your healing and give you gentle exercises to gradually rehabilitate your shoulder and help your recovery.
Dr Chia offers specialist diagnosis, management and treatment for shoulder arthritis.
An experienced shoulder surgeon, Dr Chia uses advanced surgical techniques to help you heal, recover and improve your motion.
If you are concerned you may have a form of shoulder arthritis, contact us today
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. The information provided here is for general educational purposes only. For more information on shoulder arthritis and shoulder arthroplasty, please contact the office of Dr Marcus Chia - Sydney Orthopaedic Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon.
For appointments and enquiries, please phone (02) 8014 4252
Peninsula Orthopaedics
Suite 20, Level 7
Northern Beaches Hospital
105 Frenchs Forest Road
Frenchs Forest NSW 2086
Mona Vale Rooms
Suite 502, 20 Bungan Street
Mona Vale NSW 2103
Cremorne Rooms
Suite 1, 402 Military Road
Cremorne NSW 2090
Northside Orthopaedics
Suite 403, Level 4
San Clinic
Sydney Adventist Hospital
185 Fox Valley Road
Wahroonga NSW 2076
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