Shoulder

Arthritis involves the wearing down of the cartilage (smooth bearing surface) of a joint. This may be a result of an old injury, an inflammatory condition, or simple wear and tear. In the shoulder, this is sometimes caused by a longstanding dysfunction from a chronically torn rotator cuff tendon. Treatment of arthritis in the shoulder may include injections of steroids, physical therapy, and medication. When conservative treatment has failed, your surgeon may recommend a shoulder replacement. Depending on the cause of arthritis, this may be a standard shoulder replacement or a reverse shoulder replacement (which removes the need for a rotator cuff).

Please note this video shows actual surgery footage and may not be suitable for all audiences.

A rotator cuff is a group of four tendons that work together to ensure your shoulder joint functions properly. Over time these tendons can become irritated or even torn from repetitive use. Conditions of the rotator cuff can be treated with anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections, and physical therapy. When conservative treatment fails, an MRI will often be ordered to evaluate the condition of the rotator cuff tendons. Your surgeon may recommend surgery to remove bone spurs that impinge on the tendons or even repair the tendons. Often, these surgeries can be performed using a minimally invasive technique known as arthroscopy.