Glenohumeral arthritis: Treatment options

There are many treatment options for glenohumeral arthritis, ranging from pain medication and exercises for mild cases, to surgical procedures (shoulder replacement) for severe cases.

Non-surgical treatment

Painkillers
Pain medication and anti-inflammatory medicines will help to ease your symptoms of pain and stiffness. If your symptoms are mild, this may be enough to keep your condition manageable.

Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy will help you maintain motion in your shoulder joint and can prevent the onset of further stiffness. Should you need any other form of treatment, such as injections or surgery; physiotherapy will form an important part of your rehabilitation and recovery.

Injections
Depending on the extent and duration of your arthritis, you may benefit from a steroid or a hyaluronan injection. Steroids (such as cortisone) are good at reducing the inflammation. However, it is unlikely that you will be able to have more than three steroid injections during one year. Depending on your symptoms and presentation, Mr. Cole may recommend a hyaluronan injection. This can help improve joint lubrication and reduce friction during movement.

Exercises
Exercising your shoulder is an important part of your recovery. It can help to minimise stiffness and avoid further possible complications such as muscle atrophy (where your muscles start to waste away because they are not used). An exercise programme will be devised for you by your team of physiotherapists, in conjunction with Mr. Cole. It will last for several weeks and is something you will need to do every day.

Surgical treatment

Should you need surgery, Mr. Cole will advise you on what type of treatment best suits you and your situation. He will choose the most appropriate and least invasive for you.

Arthroscopic treatment
This is a keyhole surgery where a camera is used to help identify and target specific problem areas. It is normally completed as day surgery and is minimally invasive. This may only be possible in very early arthritis and is unlikely to be helpful in more advanced cases.

Shoulder replacement
In more severe cases, Mr. Cole may recommend shoulder replacement. The two most common forms of shoulder replacement include the insertion of a stemmed prosthesis (i.e. a metal stem and ball, a little like a hip replacement) and the resurfacing of the joint. In some cases a total shoulder replacement will be necessary (replacement of the ball and socket) and in other cases a hemiarthroplasty will be needed (replacement of the ball only). If Surgery is necessary Mr. Cole will discuss with you the advantage sand disadvantages of each type of shoulder replacement and the best type of shoulder replacement for your individual circumstances.

Exercises
Following your surgery, your team of physiotherapists will work with you to devise an exercise programme. This will be designed with advice from Mr. Cole to help you recover as quickly and efficiently as possible.