Arthritis
Arthritis impairs your ligaments, muscles, joints and tendons.
Arthritis causes joint pain and limits an individual's movement capacities by damaging ligaments, muscles, joints and tendons.
Symptoms of arthritis
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, we recommend booking an orthopaedic appointment with Dr Brumby-Rendell:
- Severe shoulder pain and no shoulder movement ability for 24 hours
- Severe swelling
- Pins and needles or loss of feeling in the arm or hand
- Cracking or popping sounds around the shoulder joint
- Numerous difficulties partaking ineverydayy activities
Types of shoulder arthritis
There are five types of shoulder arthritis:
Osteoarthritis occurs when the smooth cartilage that lines shoulder joint bones is overused, causing the cartilage to become worn and increase in size. This form of arthritis often occurs with aging and is commonly experienced by individuals over 50.
Symptoms include:
- Stiffness
- Tenderness
- Joint pain
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes joint inflammation and can affect both shoulders simultaneously. Over time, this disease can also erode shoulder bones and cause deformation.
Symptoms include:
- Stiff shoulders, particularly in the morning
- Weight loss, fevers or fatigue
- Joint warmth and tenderness
Avascular necrosis is a progressive disease that occurs when blood fails to reach the humerus (a long, upper arm bone), causing shoulder cells to die. In turn, this destroys the shoulder's joint tissue, with effects worsening over time. Shoulder fractures, dislocations, and high steroid or alcohol consumption are leading causes of avascular necrosis.
Post traumatic arthritis occurs when fluid builds up in the shoulder joint, which leads to swelling and pain in the shoulder. This is caused by improper healing of recent shoulder injuries, including dislocations and fractures.
This form of arthritis is commonly caused by a tear in the rotator cuff tendons.
Symptoms include:
- Intense pain
- Muscle weakness that reduces one's ability to lift heavy objects
Treatment options for arthritis
Non-surgical treatments
Treatment plans differ depending on the type of arthritis you are experiencing, and its severity. Dr Oscar Brumby-Rendell may recommend the following:
- Lifestyle changes including physical therapy, motion exercises and rest
- Cortisone injections
- Anti-inflammatory medication
Surgical treatments
Surgery (should all other treatments be ineffective) may include
- Joint replacement surgery
- Resection arthroplasty or
- Arthroscopy
How Dr Oscar Brumby-Rendell can help
Dr Oscar Brumby-Rendell has extensive upper limb experience in areas of diagnosis, treatment and surgery.
In your consultation, Dr Oscar Brumby-Rendell will develop a treatment plan with you to ensure the best possible results for your shoulder condition. He will also discuss the following with you:
- The type and severity of condition
- Tailored treatment options
- Possible complications
- Necessity of surgery
- Post shoulder surgery recovery period
- Short and long-term expected outcomes
Once you have a referral…
Book your consultation here.