Shoulder arthrosis (omarthrosis)

Cartilage damage and premature joint wear of the shoulder.

Age-related wear and tear of the shoulder joint as well as an accident can be the cause of shoulder arthrosis. Every injury to the shoulder leaves damage to ligaments, bones and cartilage, which should be treated sooner or later. A medical examination is therefore strongly recommended.

Shoulder arthritis? Accident-related or chronic complaints? Joint wear and tear?

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Shoulder Arthrosis

In shoulder joint arthrosis, the cartilage layer on the joint surfaces, which ensures the smooth mobility of the shoulder joint, wears away more and more. In extreme cases, the head of humerus and the socket rub against each other in the bones.

The consequences are increasing restrictions in movement and shoulder pain, especially when turning the arm outwards and lifting the arm to shoulder level.

If the muscles of the upper arm regress as the joint arthrosis progresses, the affected arm may become largely unfit for use. The receding musculature leads to an increasing stiffening of the shoulder joint.

Causes and symptoms

The causes of shoulder joint arthrosis are age-related wear and tear (primary arthrosis), circulatory disorders of the humeral head, rotator cuff tear, frequent dislocation of the shoulder or rheumatoid arthritis (secondary arthrosis). 

The orthopaedic examination provides precise information on the presence and extent of shoulder joint arthrosis.

Clarification and treatment

Arthrosis cannot be cured in principle.

Depending on the stage of arthrosis, conservative shoulder therapies (physiotherapy to build strength and muscle), medication, arthroscopic joint cleansing can stabilise the course of shoulder joint arthrosis and avoid shoulder joint replacement (shoulder prosthesis).