Shoulder Arthritis Treatment in Colorado Springs
Medically reviewed by John C. Redfern, MD, Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon.
Shoulder arthritis (glenohumeral osteoarthritis) is the wearing away of the smooth cartilage that lets the ball glide in the socket. It causes deep, aching pain, stiffness, and grinding, and it tends to progress over time. Dr. John Redfern treats shoulder arthritis in Colorado Springs across the full range of options, from therapy and injections to total and reverse shoulder replacement with the InSet® system.
Types of Shoulder Arthritis
Osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral (ball-and-socket) joint, the wear-and-tear form, is the most common. Rotator cuff tear arthropathy is arthritis that develops after a long-standing massive cuff tear allows the ball to ride up out of position. Post-traumatic arthritis follows a fracture or dislocation. Inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, attacks the joint lining. Avascular necrosis is the loss of blood supply to the humeral head, which can cause the bone to collapse.
Symptoms: What Shoulder Arthritis Feels Like
Pain deep in the shoulder that worsens with activity and often at night, a progressive loss of motion (especially rotating the arm outward), grinding or clicking, and weakness from disuse are the typical signs. Arthritis pain sometimes travels down the upper arm toward the elbow, which patients often mistake for a muscle problem. Pain that runs past the elbow into the hand is more often from the neck, and part of the evaluation is telling those apart.
How Shoulder Arthritis Is Diagnosed
Plain X-rays usually tell the story: the space between the ball and socket narrows as cartilage wears away, bone spurs form along the edges of the joint, and the bone beneath the cartilage becomes dense. A CT scan may be used to evaluate the shape of the socket and the amount of bone when planning a replacement, and an MRI when the condition of the rotator cuff needs to be confirmed.
Nonsurgical Treatment for Shoulder Osteoarthritis
Many patients manage shoulder arthritis for years without surgery. Options include activity modification, physical therapy to maintain motion and strength, anti-inflammatory medication, and corticosteroid injections for flares. Some patients ask about PRP; the evidence for PRP in shoulder arthritis is limited, and Dr. Redfern will discuss that honestly rather than sell you an injection.
Shoulder Arthritis Surgery Options
When pain interferes with sleep and daily life despite nonsurgical care, and imaging shows advanced joint damage, surgery becomes a reasonable conversation. For most patients with advanced arthritis, that means shoulder replacement. Which type depends mainly on your rotator cuff: an anatomic total shoulder replacement when the cuff is intact, or a reverse shoulder replacement when the cuff is torn or deficient, as in cuff tear arthropathy. Dr. Redfern performs both with the InSet® system, designed to preserve bone. In selected earlier-stage cases, arthroscopic procedures to remove loose fragments and smooth bone spurs can be considered, with the understanding that they do not restore cartilage.
How Dr. Redfern Approaches It
Dr. Redfern reviews your imaging with you, explains what he sees, and walks through every option before any decision is made. Because his practice covers the whole spectrum of shoulder care in Colorado Springs, replacement is never the reflexive answer. Patients who can be managed nonsurgically are, and patients who do need a replacement get a surgeon who performs the full range, including revision of replacements done elsewhere.
Risks of Treatment
Injections carry small risks of infection and, when repeated frequently, of weakening tissue. The risks of shoulder replacement, including infection, implant loosening, nerve injury, stiffness, and dislocation, are covered on the procedure pages and discussed in detail at your consultation. Individual results vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can shoulder arthritis be reversed?
No treatment restores worn cartilage. Nonsurgical care manages symptoms, and replacement resurfaces the joint when damage is advanced.
Can shoulder arthritis cause pain down the arm?
Yes. Arthritis pain often radiates from the shoulder into the upper arm, typically stopping around the elbow. Pain, numbness, or tingling that continues into the forearm and hand is more often a neck problem, which is one reason a careful exam matters.
How do I know when it's time for a shoulder replacement?
When pain limits sleep, work, or daily activities despite therapy, medication, and injections, and imaging confirms advanced arthritis. That decision is yours, made with a clear picture of the options.
Is shoulder arthritis the same as a rotator cuff tear?
No. Arthritis is cartilage loss in the joint; a cuff tear is a tendon injury. They can occur together, and when a long-standing tear leads to arthritis it is called rotator cuff tear arthropathy, which is usually treated with a reverse replacement.
Will cortisone shots make my arthritis worse?
Occasional injections are generally safe and can relieve flares. Frequent repeated injections may weaken tissue over time, so Dr. Redfern spaces them thoughtfully and discusses alternatives with you.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Redfern
Call the office or request an appointment online and our team will help you take the next step.