Shoulder Arthritis: Treatment Options Explained

Shoulder arthritis causes pain and stiffness as the cartilage cushioning the joint wears down over time. Treatment is usually staged — starting conservative, escalating only if needed.

Recognising the symptoms

• Deep, aching shoulder pain, often worse with activity or at night
• Progressive stiffness and loss of range of motion
• A grinding or catching sensation with movement
• Gradual difficulty with overhead tasks, reaching behind the back, or lifting

Early-stage management

• Activity modification and physiotherapy to maintain range of motion and strengthen surrounding muscles
• Anti-inflammatory medication for symptom control
• Corticosteroid injections, which can provide meaningful relief for months in earlier stages

When conservative care isn't enough

If pain and stiffness significantly affect daily function despite non-surgical treatment, surgical options are considered:

• Arthroscopic debridement — for milder cases, cleaning up damaged tissue and loose fragments arthroscopically
• Shoulder replacement (arthroplasty) — replacing the worn joint surfaces with prosthetic components. The specific type (anatomic vs. reverse total shoulder replacement) depends on the pattern of arthritis and the condition of the rotator cuff, decided on a case-by-case basis.

What guides the decision

Age, activity level, the specific pattern of joint wear on imaging, and rotator cuff integrity all influence which treatment — and which type of replacement, if needed — is most appropriate. Modern pre-operative planning, including 3D imaging-based templating, helps size and position implants more precisely before surgery.

Recovery after shoulder replacement

Recovery is gradual and therapy-driven — early passive motion progressing to active strengthening over several months. Most patients see steady improvement in pain within the first weeks, with functional gains continuing for up to a year.