As the protective cartilage surface of the joint wears away, bare bone is exposed, and symptoms can include pain, stiffness, limited range of motion, and tenderness around the joint.
Chiropractic treatment can help manage shoulder arthritis through assessment of flexibility and strength, modification of activities, exercise, and other methods such as Low Level Laser Therapy and natural joint supplements.
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Osteoarthritis is the most common type of shoulder arthritis and is also called wear and tear or degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis is characterised by progressive wearing away of the cartilage of the joint.
As the protective cartilage surface of the joint is worn away by shoulder arthritis, bare bone is exposed within the shoulder. The other common type of shoulder arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the joints. This inflammation can, over time, invade and destroy the cartilage and bone. It is much less common to have osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint (main shoulder joint) than in, for instance, weight bearing joints such as the hips and knees.
he most common structure affected by wear and tear in the shoulder is actually the rotator cuff tendon. It is also more common to get osteoarthritis in the acromioclavicular joint between the clavicle and shoulder blade.
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder typically affects people over 50 years of age. It is more common if you have a history of prior shoulder injury.
There is also a genetic predisposition of this condition, meaning, arthritis tends to run in families.
Shoulder arthritis symptoms tend to progress as the condition worsens.
What is interesting about shoulder arthritis is that symptoms do not always progress steadily with time. Often people report good months and bad months. This is important to understand because comparing the symptoms of arthritis on one particular day may not accurately represent the overall progression of the condition.
The most common symptoms of shoulder arthritis are:
Treatment of shoulder arthritis should begin with the most basic steps, such as modification of activities, limiting certain activities may be necessary.
It is important for the chiropractor to assess the flexibility and strength, the movement patterns and the type and severity of the arthritis. Shoulder exercises are excellent for patients who have a weak shoulder. Stretching and strengthening of the muscles around the shoulder joint may help decrease the burden on the shoulder. Preventing atrophy of the muscles is an important part of maintaining functional use of the shoulder.
A good adjunct to the treatment which will help to reduce the inflammation and speed up the healing process is Low Level Laser Therapy, which we use here at the Isis Chiropractic Centres.
Anti-inflammatory pain medications (NSAIDs) are prescription and non-prescription drugs that help treat pain and inflammation.Talk to your doctor before taking anti-inflammatory medication for shoulder arthritis. In extreme cases cortisone injections may help decrease inflammation in the short term and reduce pain within a joint.
While this will not cure shoulder arthritis, it may diminish the symptoms and help control pain. Natural joint supplements such as Glucosamine, are safe and often effective for treatment of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is usually the end result of years of overuse and no doubt repeated episodes of pain. If you are experiencing shoulder pain, even on an intermittent basis, you should have it looked at by a chiropractor, who will be able to help you prevent any disabling shoulder pain.
Supraspinatus tendinopathy is a common and crippling condition that becomes more prevalent after middle age. It is one of the most common cause of shoulder pain. Unfortunately it is not a condition that will heal on its own and will almost always need treatment.
Heavy backpacks, school sports and homework can place a strain on your child’s back. Many parents don’t realise the importance of backpacks and how children carry them.
It may not seem important but carrying a heavy, misfitted backpack everyday to school can be bad news for the spine. Your Chiropractor can help determine the back back size that is safe for your child.
Traveling overseas can be an exciting adventure, but it can also take a toll on your body. Whether you’re embarking on a long-haul flight, car journey or exploring new destinations, it’s important to prioritise your physical well-being. We will provide you with physiotherapy and chiropractic tips to help you stay comfortable and maintain your health while traveling.
If you’ve experienced pain before, you’ve probably been told to apply either ice or heat to alleviate it. But when is it best to use one over the other? In this post, we’ll discuss the benefits of both ice and heat treatment and help you decide which one is best suited for your pain relief needs.