Shoulder arthritis is a condition which the cartilage of the joint degrades over a long period of time. The cartilage that lines the shoulder is what allows for smooth and pain-free movement, as there are no nerve structures within it. As that cartilage wears away, it results in friction leading to pain and stiffness of the shoulder.

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When the cartilage of the shoulder wears away, bone, which contains nerve structures, is exposed resulting in in pain and stiffness. Cartilage is unable to heal or regenerate itself, which may result in permanent damage.

Shoulder Arthritis: Overview
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Cartilage loss in the shoulder can range from mild to moderate and result in a spectrum of pain severity. This results in a variety of treatment options, both surgical and non-surgical to get patients back to moving pain-free.

Shoulder Arthritis: Treatment Options
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When the severity of shoulder arthritis requires a joint replacement, there are numerous types a surgeon will consider based specific on the patient and their needs. All these replacements involve removal of the arthritic surfaces of the ball and socket joint and replacing with a combination of metal and plastic to recreate the shoulder joint.

Although shoulder replacement remains a significant surgery, technology has made significant advances to allow for more minimally invasive approaches resulting in a quicker recovery for these surgeries.