Arthritic degeneration can affect any joint in our body, but wear and tear tends to be more common in larger joints that handle significant or repetitive stress. That’s why arthritic degeneration and joint replacement operations are so common in areas like our knees, hips and shoulders.
Sometimes it’s obvious that you’re dealing with a significant arthritic degeneration, while other times the problem may not be so evident. To help identify signs of shoulder arthritis so that you can begin treatment and hopefully prevent the need for a shoulder replacement operation, we’re going to use today’s blog to spotlight some of the obvious and not so obvious signs of shoulder arthritis.
Obvious Signs Of Shoulder Arthritis
Sometimes the signs of osteoarthritic degeneration are clear and obvious, but that doesn’t mean that patients always act when they notice these signs. If you’re dealing with any of these issues, talk with your primary care physician or connect with a shoulder specialist to see what proactive steps you should be taking to calm symptoms associated with osteoarthritic degeneration:
- Pain – Pain is the most obvious sign of any type of injury, and this is true about shoulder arthritis. When the protective cartilage around the joint breaks down, it can lead to bone on bone contact, which can be uncomfortable or downright painful. Shoulder pain is an obvious sign of an issue, and oftentimes that issue is arthritis.
- Swelling/Tenderness – Another physical symptom that you may notice in your shoulder region is swelling or tenderness. As a result of bone on bone contact, nearby tissues may become inflamed or irritated, leading to swelling and tenderness. If one shoulder feels more swollen or tender than the other, consider consulting with a doctor.
- Stiffness – One final obvious sign of a potential problem in your shoulder region is stiffness or range of motion restrictions. If certain movements are painful or difficult, this could be the result of internal shoulder joint degeneration. Shoulder stiffness isn’t just a sign that you’re getting older, it is more likely the result of an issue within the joint.
Not So Obvious Signs Of Shoulder Arthritis
Now let’s shift our attention to some less obvious signs that you may be dealing with mild to moderate degeneration in your shoulder joint. If you’re dealing with any of these issues, especially if they are paired with any of the obvious symptoms, you’ll want to bring this to the attention of your doctor.
- Clicking/Cracking – Your shoulder may be giving you audible cues that some degeneration has taken place within the joint. Even if this cracking or grinding sensation isn’t accompanied by pain, it could still indicate that there is something wrong with the joint that warrants additional attention.
- Activity Modification – Do you find yourself shying away from activities that will put a decent amount of strain on your shoulders? Are you worried that your shoulders may feel uncomfortable during certain activities, so you try your best to avoid them? Shying away from physical activities because you fear how your shoulder will respond is no way to go through life, and you owe it to yourself to connect with a shoulder specialist in order to find ways to regain strength and confidence in your shoulder.
- Sleep Problems – Finally, if you find it hard to fall asleep because it’s uncomfortable to lay on one side of your body, or you’re always avoiding laying on one specific shoulder, you may be dealing with some underlying shoulder degeneration. Sleep problems can be tied to a few different issues, but don’t overlook shoulder arthritis as a possible culprit.
If you’re dealing with any of the above issues, or you just want to get to the bottom of your shoulder discomfort, reach out to Dr. Holloway and his team today at (865) 410-7887.
