Arthritis is generally a condition that we associate with older individuals, and it’s true that people over the age of 55 are at a heightened risk for the condition simply because aging, repetitive stress and natural degeneration are common causes. However, shoulder arthritis certainly isn’t a problem that is isolated to older adults. Every so often we consult with patients in their low fifties, forties and even their thirties about shoulder discomfort they are experiencing that turns out to be the result of degenerative arthritis. So how are these cases managed? In today’s blog, we explore the differences in treatment when working to address shoulder arthritis in younger patients compared to older adults.
Age-Specific Shoulder Arthritis Treatment
For the most part, the actual treatment process will be largely similar no matter a person’s age, but deciding which treatment to pursue will certainly take the patient’s age into account. For example, some factors that are present in younger patients will guide their treatment protocol differently than the factors in play for an older adult.
For starters, younger patients naturally have youth on their side. When we’re younger and healthier, it’s generally easier for our body to respond positively to treatment. If we can find a way to target specific muscle groups with exercise and improve blood flow to the area, the younger patient is more likely to respond well to this type of treatment compared to a senior citizen. When different methods of treatment are more likely to successful, it gives the patient and the doctor some flexibility in terms of matching treatment to the patient’s unique needs and goals.
Another factor to consider when developing a treatment plan for shoulder arthritis is that a younger patient will typically have higher physical demands than an older individual following treatment. What we mean by this is that the younger patient tends to be more active and is more likely to pursue activities that place a higher level of stress on their shoulder. Because of this, many shoulder specialists are hesitant to pursue a shoulder replacement operation because they may have some concerns over the longevity of the artificial components. A shoulder replacement can serve a 65-year-old person well for the next 25-30 years, but given the physical demands and expected lifespan of the implant, it may not be an ideal long-term solution for the 37-year-old patient with moderate shoulder arthritis.
Because younger patients tend to be more responsive to conservative care, and because shoulder replacement can lead to some long-term issues in this population, the vast majority of younger patients have their shoulder arthritis treated with a healthy dose of physical therapy. Targeted physical therapy not only works to strengthen the muscles and supportive structures around the shoulder area to take stress off the joint, but it also works to increase flexibility and restore comfortable range of motion. You’re not going to be able to reverse the damage that’s been done, but physical therapy can do wonders to decrease symptoms and slow down or even stop the progression of arthritic degeneration. Coupled with other simple treatments and lifestyle adjustments like hot/cold therapy, anti-inflammatory medications and posture improvement, there’s a good chance that you can effectively manage your condition while also pushing a potential replacement procedure decades down the road.
Shoulder Surgery For Younger Patients
In rare cases where shoulder arthritis is severe and not responding to conservative treatment, your doctor may walk you through your operative options. While partial or total replacement is a potential option, they likely won’t be the first operations considered. Depending on the root cause of your discomfort, a shoulder resurfacing or debridement procedure can restore more normal motion and greatly decrease discomfort while still keeping all the original shoulder components intact. Advanced imaging tests can determine if these less invasive procedures may be right for you.
Shoulder replacement in patients younger than 40 is relatively uncommon, but again, if all options have been exhausted and it’s clear that a partial or total shoulder replacement can restore the most function, it may be considered. Once it’s reached this stage, the procedure and recovery is similar to a patient of any age undergoing the procedure. Younger patients may be able to begin and progress through rehab slightly quicker than an older patient, but the overall structure will look the same. Surgery will be followed by weeks of wearing a sling before the patient dives into months of physical therapy exercises to eventually restore as much strength and function as possible. Most patients find that the procedure produces fantastic results, but younger patients may want to temper their return to activity expectations if they pursued activities that put an immense amount of strain on the shoulders, as a return at a pre-surgical level of fitness is unlikely.
You have a lot of life left to live, don’t let shoulder discomfort keep you from living the way you want. Instead, connect with a shoulder specialist who can help you combat your arthritis and keep it at bay for the long haul. For more information, or to set up an appointment with Dr. Holloway, give his office a call today at (865) 410-7887.
