Throughout your life, the shoulder joints are put through continuous wear and tear. Shoulder arthritis is known to be one of the most common conditions of the joint, causing significant pain and discomfort.

There are five different types of shoulder arthritis according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Here, we look at the different types of arthritis and the symptoms to watch out for.

1. Osteoarthritis

Caused by the breakdown of cartilage in the joint, shoulder osteoarthritis is one of the most preventative forms of arthritis. More prominent in those aged 50 and over, the condition can worsen if it is left untreated.

As the cartilage breaks down at the end of the bones where they join and form joints, the bone begins to rub together. This leads to pain and stiffness, as well as a loss of mobility. If you have this type of shoulder arthritis, you will notice the pain worsening when you carry out activity.

2. Rheumatoid arthritis

Commonly affecting both sides of the body, Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition. Causing the lining of the joints to swell, it could lead to erosion within the bones of the shoulder, and cause the joints to become deformed over time.

The main symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis include a warm, tender feeling in the joints, stiffness, the development of Rheumatoid nodules, and fatigue.

3. Post-traumatic arthritis

Post-traumatic arthritis usually develops after a dislocation or fracture of the shoulder. This typically resolves itself over time, but some patients may find it lasts more than six months. If the condition isn’t treated, eventually the bones could change shape, form bumps, and harden.

The symptoms experienced with post-traumatic arthritis are similar to those experienced with osteoarthritis. They include swelling, pain, stiffness, tenderness, and grinding.

4. Rotator cuff tear arthropathy

Connecting the top of the arm and the shoulder blade, the rotator cuff consists of a collection of muscles and tendons. If you suffer a common rotator cuff injury, it could lead to a form of arthritis known as rotator cuff tear arthroplasty.

If the tear is large, or it is unable to heal, bone and cartilage damage can occur. If you don’t get it treated, the condition can cause severe pain and weakness within the arm. You will also find it difficult to raise your arm above your head.

5. Avascular Necrosis

Although it typically occurs in the hip, avascular necrosis is another type of arthritis that can impact the shoulder. If the supply of blood to the bone is disrupted, the bone cells will start to die off. In time, the bone will eventually collapse, causing the surrounding cartilage to become damaged.

Caused by everything from steroid use to traumatic injury, this type of shoulder arthritis can eventually cause severe pain and bone damage.

If you are experiencing pain, stiffness, or weakness in the arm and shoulder, book a consultation with our London Shoulder Specialists today for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

If you find it difficult to reach your arm across your body and there is pain or tenderness located in the top of the shoulder, it could be a sign of AC joint arthritis.

Shoulder problems can be caused by a wide range of factors and AC joint arthritis is one of them. So, what is it and how do you know if arthritis is the cause of your pain and tenderness? Read on to discover everything you need to know…

What is AC joint arthritis?

Acromioclavicular arthritis (AC joint arthritis) develops at the very top of the shoulder. The AC joint is located where the collar bone meets the top part of the scapula and, like other joints, it can be susceptible to wear and tear.

AC joint arthritis typically refers to progressive joint damage, typically affecting those aged 40 and over. As the cartilage wears away, it causes the ends of the bone to rub together. There is no cure, but there are ways to manage the condition.

What are the symptoms and causes of AC joint arthritis?

Identifying the symptoms of AC joint arthritis can help you to get the treatment you need quickly. However, it is worth pointing out that you may not experience any symptoms at all in the early stages of the condition.

The most common symptoms include:

• Pain right at the top of the shoulder
• Pain that worsens when you place your arm across the chest
• Restricted movement, limiting your ability to carry out daily activities

You may also find that it affects your sleep with the pain worsening at night. So, what causes AC joint arthritis to occur?

In some cases, there is no clear cause. However, for most patients it develops due to overuse of the joint. This makes it a common concern for athletes. Other times, the condition can develop after a direct injury.

Whatever the cause, seeking treatment is important if you want to manage the condition and prevent it from impacting your daily life.

Treating AC joint arthritis

If you are diagnosed with AC joint arthritis, there are treatments that can ease the pain and make it more manageable to live with.

Pain medication can help to control any pain you feel, alongside heat or cold compressions. Physiotherapy is another common treatment option, helping to not only reduce the pain, but improve the patient’s range of motion.

Other treatment options include local anaesthetic and steroid injections, and keyhole surgery. In severe cases, surgery may be required to remove the AC joint. While this will help to stop the pain, it will not necessarily give you back your range of motion.

To find out if you are dealing with AC joint arthritis and the treatment that is best suited to you, call +44 (0) 203 195 2442 to book a consultation with one of our expert surgeons today.

A new study carried out on young rugby players has revealed they have an increased risk of getting hurt in the sport. Those who play numbers 1-8 were shown to have a particularly increased risk of injury.

So, why are younger rugby players most at risk of shoulder injuries and what did the study reveal? Discover everything you need to know below.

What the latest study revealed

The latest study was carried out by researchers at the University of Limerick, assessing 15 Irish school boy teams. The results showed that young players were more at risk of shoulder injuries than professionals.

Nearly a quarter of injuries in younger players were sprains and dislocations, followed by head and neck injuries. Forward players were also discovered to be three times more susceptible to suffering a concussion than back players.

This isn’t the first study to highlight the risk of injury for younger rugby players. A previous study carried out by the University of South Africa, revealed that male rugby players aged 12-18 had an increased risk of labral injuries. Back players were found to have an increased risk of bony pathology. Interestingly, the study also showed forward players had a 21% increased risk of injury reoccurrence.

Common rugby shoulder injuries

Rugby is a high-contact sport, which means the risk of injury is quite high. There is a lot of direct physical force and tackles involved, making it incredibly easy to suffer a shoulder injury. So what injuries are most common in young players? Here’s a rundown of some of the most common shoulder injuries young rugby players are at risk of developing. 

Sprains and dislocations: The most common shoulder injuries in rugby are sprains and dislocations. Most sprains impact the acromioclavicular joint, while dislocations largely affected the glenohumeral joint. Players who suffer a fracture followed by a dislocation tend to experience more severe injury, while dislocations resulted in more days away from the sport.

Labral tears: Young rugby players are also susceptible to labral tears. These include Bankart tears, Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior (SLAP) tears, and posterior shoulder instability. Bankart tears tend to occur in players who dislocate their shoulder, while SLAP tears occur at the top of the glenoid where the biceps tendon attaches.

These are some of the most common shoulder injuries young rugby players experience. The good news is a shoulder injury doesn’t need to end your career. With the right treatment, players can often return to the sport in a matter of months, depending upon the severity of their injury.

Treating shoulder injuries in young rugby players

There are various lines of treatment that can be used to treat shoulder injuries in young players. Most of the time, surgery will not be required. Instead, physical therapy, rest, and over the counter medications to control the pain will be all that is needed. However, in severe cases, surgery may be the only option.

To find out which type of treatment is right for you, book a consultation with one of our shoulder specialists today.

Wondering whether you may have a torn shoulder ligament? The shoulder is one of the most used joints in the body. It is made up of many different components, each of which can become damaged or torn over time. So, how do you know if it is a torn ligament or something else?

Torn ligaments typically present the following symptoms:

• Pain and discomfort
• Tender to the touch
• Bruising and swelling around the shoulder
• Difficulty moving the joint

These can all be symptoms of other shoulder injuries, so an accurate diagnosis will be required.

What is a torn shoulder ligament?

The ligaments in your shoulder are strong bands of fibrous tissue. They are responsible for connecting bones, as well as bone to cartilage. While they may be tough, they aren’t immune to getting stretched or torn.

Ligament tears typically occur when extreme force is placed onto the joint. This could be from a direct impact, or a fall. They cause immediate pain, and you may hear a popping sound or feel the tear as it occurs.

How are ligament tears diagnosed?

To diagnose a torn ligament, a physical examination will be carried out. An X-Ray will then be used to look for any broken or fractured bones. In some cases, an MRI scan may be performed to detect a complete or partial ligament tear.

The tear will be graded to determine its severity. There are three grades in total, including:

Grade I: These tears are minor, with minimal damage caused to the ligament.

Grade II:  A partial tear is present, and the joint may be loose.

Grade III: The most severe type of tear, often resulting in complete loss of use of the arm.

Your treatment options

All ligament injuries are initially treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Ice can help to relieve the pain, while compressing the shoulder with an elastic bandage can help to reduce swelling. You may also be prescribed over the counter treatments to eliminate any pain you experience while the ligament heals.

If you have a Grade II injury, you may need to wear a brace to support the shoulder. Your healthcare provider will let you know how long you need to wear it for.

For Grade III tears, surgery will usually be recommended. There are different types of surgery you can undergo, including:

• Arthroscopic surgery
• Open surgery

Arthroscopic surgery is the most common technique used as it is less invasive for the patient. This reduces the risks and complications involved with the procedure. However, if the tear is especially severe or difficult, open surgery may be the best approach.

To discover if the cause of your shoulder pain is down to a torn shoulder ligament, book a consultation with one of our friendly shoulder specialists now.

Shoulder pain is a common issue that most people will experience at some time in their life. However, when the pain starts to radiate down the arm, it can understandably be alarming.

There are several potential causes of shoulder pain that spreads to the arm. In some cases, the pain can even spread to the chest and back. Here, we will look at what causes shoulder pain that radiates down the arm.

What might the problem be?

The rotator cuff of the shoulder is supplied by the same nerve roots that provide feeling to the arm. When an issue occurs within the shoulder, it can cause the nerve roots to trick the brain into thinking there is something wrong with the arm too.

While you will need to be examined properly to determine the cause, there are some common shoulder issues that are known for causing pain down the arm. These include:

• Subacromial impingement: At the top of your arm bone, there is a gap between the acromion known as the subacromial space.  This is where the subacromial bursa and rotator cuff tendons are located. If the tendons become inflamed, it is referred to as subacromial impingement. This is one of the most common types of shoulder issues, and it causes pain at the top of the shoulder, as well as down the arm. You may also experience weakness in your arm if subacromial impingement is to blame.
• Tendonitis: When the biceps tendon or rotator cuff becomes inflamed, it can lead to tendonitis. This mostly occurs due to inflammation of the rotator cuff, and the issue can range from mild to severe. You may notice the pain runs down the arm, and you may also struggle to place your arm behind your back.
• Rotator cuff tear: Tears within the rotator cuff can occur for all kinds of reasons. It could be down to an acute injury, or through repetitive use of the shoulder. Tears can be mild to severe, with full tears requiring surgery to fix them. Depending upon how severe the tear is, it can lead to pain in the shoulder and down the arm.
• Osteoarthritis: A common cause of shoulder pain that spreads to the arm is Osteoarthritis. Caused by wear and tear, cartilage in the shoulder begins to wear down over time. Eventually, the bones of the shoulder start to rub against one another, leading to stiffness and pain. This pain can sometimes radiate down the shoulder.

To determine what the problem is, patients will need to undergo an assessment. There are a lot of different causes of shoulder and arm pain, and each require a different type of treatment to correct them. Book a consultation with Ms Susan Alexander or our shoulder specialists now to diagnose and begin treating the root cause of the problem.