Osteoarthritis is an incredibly common condition that affects millions of older adults in the US, and because it develops slowly over the course of a number of years, the condition tends to progress through a few different stages, all of which respond to varying degrees of treatment. No case of arthritis is so severe that treatment isn’t viable, but you may need to adjust your approach given your symptoms and current limitations. In today’s blog, we explore some of the more common treatment options for shoulder arthritis based on your current stage of degeneration.
Treating Each Stage Of Shoulder Arthritis
It is generally accepted that there are four stages of shoulder arthritis based on the amount of joint degeneration you’ve experienced and the symptoms this degeneration is causing. Here’s a closer look at each stage, and some common treatment courses for managing the progression of shoulder arthritis.
- Stage 1 – Stage 1 is considered the earliest stage of arthritis progression, and many adults over the age of 55 have actually entered this stage, even if they are not dealing with any obvious symptoms. Some range of motion limitations may be present, but symptoms tend to be quite mild, so many patients simply chalk it up to natural aging. Still, if you suspect that your shoulders have entered this stage, you’ll want to pursue some simple shoulder exercises to help maintain strength, stability and function in the region. Practicing safe lifting techniques is also highly encouraged.
- Stage 2 – This is the stage that most people really begin to notice that their shoulder joint health simply isn’t what it used to be. Pain still remains rather minimal, but you may notice some difficulty or moderate discomfort when attempting to straighten or bend your shoulder in certain directions. Strength training and targeted physical therapy exercises can help you regain some of this lost mobility and greatly slow or even stop the progression into the third stage of shoulder arthritis.
- Stage 3 – Stage 3 is categorized by moderate shoulder arthritis. Movement is inhibited and at times painful. Shoulder stiffness also tends to persist, especially after extended periods of inactivity, while shoulder swelling can develop after activity. This stage is best managed with regular physical therapy sessions. PT will work to strengthen and stabilize the weakened joint and help the area get acclimated to healthy movement patterns. You’re not going to be able to greatly improve your joint health and return it to stage 1, but you can significantly reduce symptoms and again delay any continued progression.
- Stage 4 – Stage 4 or end stage arthritis is the condition’s final form. Categorized by severe joint degeneration, stage 4 shoulder arthritis is oftentimes quite painful and uncomfortable. Significant discomfort, stiffness and swelling tends to persist during almost all activities, making day-to-day tasks difficult. If you’ve pursued physical therapy prior to this stage and didn’t find success, more hands-on treatment may be required. A shoulder arthroscopy or total shoulder replacement may be recommended based on the extent of your joint damage and your future activity goals. Dr. Holloway has helped to restore a significant amount of function and mobility in patients plagued by stage 4 shoulder arthritis, and he’s confident he can find a viable solution for your shoulder issue.
For help treating any of these stages of shoulder arthritis, or for assistance managing a different shoulder issue that you’re dealing with, reach out to Dr. Holloway and his team today at (865) 410-7887.
