Everyone experiences wear and tear on their joints as they age. Sometimes, that wear and tear leads to pain. What is the next step if shoulder pain keeps you from performing daily activities?
What is the Shoulder Joint?
A rotator cuff is a pulley where the tendons help lift and power the shoulder. The socket and the ball are the joint itself. The pulleys or tendons are what move that joint and give it strength and stability. The rotator cuff helps drive the shoulder and “rotate” the shoulder hence its name.
What Causes Shoulder Pain?
In good health, the shoulder has some of the best range of motion of any joint. That can change over time due to various reasons.
One of the most significant contributors to shoulder pain is arthritis or large bone spurs.
Often in people who have arthritis, the rotator cuff is healthy but when the ball and socket are damaged, instead of a smooth socket on a smooth ball, it’s a roughened socket against a roughened ball.
Much like a hip and knee can get arthritic and worn out, a shoulder can also. When those two areas grind together, it can cause pain. Shoulder replacement is a good treatment option for this advanced condition. Replacing that ball to make it smooth-on-smooth again can improve your range of motion.
Another culprit of shoulder pain is damage to the rotator cuff. Arthroscopic repairs are usually done when there’s a tear in the rotator cuff, but the ball and socket are healthy. Generally, you either have a rotator cuff tear that needs to be addressed, or you have a shoulder that’s worn out that has to be replaced.
If the rotator cuff tear develops into arthritis, certain prostheses are designed for this and can treat it effectively.
Noninvasive Treatment Options
Often, noninvasive methods are enough to reduce or eliminate pain. For example, the shoulder is a very receptive joint to physical therapy (PT), and simple home exercises can help with the pain. During the pandemic, many people turned to YouTube for PT. When PT is combined with over-the-counter anti-inflammatories (Tylenol, Motrin, Aleve), individuals may find significant pain relief. Always check with your health care provider to ensure anti-inflammatories are safe for you.
Another noninvasive option involves injectables. Cortisone is a common anti-inflammatory used to provide longer-term pain relief. In most cases, one or two injections spread apart can be safe although temporary.
If individuals exhaust all options but still have pain that limits their daily activities, it may be time to consider surgery.
Modern Shoulder Replacement
Shoulder replacement surgery has seen significant advancements. Something that was experimental decades ago is now a common procedure. Today’s standard processes maximize the range of motion, decrease pain, and limit complications. For instance, infection was prevalent, but today, doctors’ use of antibiotics and presurgical preparations reduce that risk.
Physical therapy is also a key part of the replacement process. As patients move through the recovery timeline, therapists track and measure progress. They ensure patients are recovering well—not lagging or being too aggressive. Their reports also help orthopedic surgeons assess levels of surgical success.
The Recovery Timeline
Most shoulder replacement patients see the most significant improvement one year after surgery. After six months, they can resume all activities. Before that, the timeline looks like this:
- First six weeks—Focus on resting the shoulder. Patients wear a sling to provide the shoulder support but can move their elbow, wrist and hand.
- Second six weeks—Physical therapy enters the picture. Patients start to work on their range of motion to stretch the shoulder.
- Third six weeks—Patients begin working on strengthening while maximizing their range of motion.
Surgery or Not, You Don’t Have to Live with Pain
If you’re experiencing shoulder pain, surgery is likely not the first option on the table. Noninvasive methods may very well provide relief. But, if pain becomes a significant disruption, it’s time to talk to your doctor about options.
The good news is that if surgery becomes an option modern surgery allows patients a safe, effective healing option.
Listen to a Podcast
If your shoulder hurts from an injury or repetitive movement or from an unknown cause, might you need a shoulder replacement? In this podcast, Dr. Brian Shiu, an orthopedic surgeon from UM St. Joseph Medical Center, discusses reasons why someone might need a shoulder replacement, what it is, things to consider including benefits and complications, and more. Listen now or download for later.
More to Read
- Arthroscopy and Arthroplasty: Providing Relief from Joint Pain
- The Most Common Endurance Sports Injuries and How to Treat Them
- Osteoarthritis: Finding the Best Treatment Option for You
- 6 Ways Arthritis Puts Pressure on Your Health
Medically reviewed by Brian Shiu, MD.
