Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder

Osteoarthritis of the shoulder is the gradual wearing away of the cartilage of the joint. This leads to the two bones of the joint rubbing together causing pain.

Patients who have had previous trauma or shoulder surgery are most likely to develop osteoarthritis in later life. Symptoms include swelling, stiffness, aching and sharp, stabbing pains.

If you are suffering from osteoarthritis of the shoulder then you should:

Do exercises to keep the joints healthy and stimulate the natural lubricating fluid. For example, you could to the below exercises twice per day

Easy

• Polishing – Gently lean forwards onto a kitchen worktop or table with your good hand. Start by polishing in small circles, gradually increasing the movement as you feel more comfortable. Repeat for 60 seconds.
• Pendular – Gently lean forwards onto a stable surface like a table. Gently swing your arm forward and backwards, side-to-side and then in small circles. Start with small movements and increase the movement as it starts to feel more comfortable. Repeat for 30 seconds in each direction.

Intermediate

• Isometric flexion – Stand facing a wall. Place your fist on the wall with your elbow at a right angle. Gently press against the wall, tightening your shoulder muscle without moving your body. Hold for 3 seconds, repeat 10 times.
• Isometric medial rotation – Stand facing a door way or open corner like in the picture. Place your fist or open hand on the wall. Gently press against the wall tightening your shoulder muscle without moving your body. Hold for 3 seconds, repeat 10 times.
• Isometric extension – Stand with your back to a wall. Place your elbow on the wall with your elbow at a right angle. Gently press against the wall with your elbow. You should be tightening your shoulder muscle without moving your body. Hold for 3 seconds, repeat X10.
• Isometric lateral rotation – Stand sideways on, with your affected shoulder against the wall. Place your fist on the wall with your elbow at a right angle. Gently press against the wall with your fist without moving your body. Hold for 3 seconds, repeat 10 times.

Advanced

• Stand holding a stick or pole. Gently lift your arm into the air, using your better arm and the stick to help. Do not push into pain. Repeat 10-30 times
• Stand holding a stick or pole. Gently lift your arm into the air, using your better arm and the stick to help. Do not push into pain. Repeat 10-30 times Stand holding onto a stick or pole. Gently lift your shoulder out to the side. Do not push into pain. Repeat 10-30 times. Stand holding onto a stick or pole.
• Gently reach as far as possible backwards without leaning forwards. Use the stick to help. Do not push into pain. Repeat 10-30 times. Stand holding the stick with your elbows bent at a right angle. While keeping your elbows tucked in, rotate your hand away from your body. Do not push into pain. Repeat 10-30 times
• Stand holding onto a stick or pole. Gently lift your shoulder out to the side. Do not push into pain. Repeat 10-30 times. Stand holding onto a stick or pole. Gently reach as far as possible backwards without leaning forwards. Use the stick to help. Do not push into pain. Repeat 10-30 times. Stand holding the stick with your elbows bent at a right angle. While keeping your elbows tucked in, rotate your hand away from your body. Do not push into pain. Repeat 10-30 times
• Stand holding a stick or pole. Gently lift your arm into the air, using your better arm and the stick to help. Do not push into pain. Repeat 10-30 times Stand holding onto a stick or pole. Gently lift your shoulder out to the side. Do not push into pain. Repeat 10-30 times. Stand holding onto a stick or pole.
• Gently reach as far as possible backwards without leaning forwards. Use the stick to help. Do not push into pain. Repeat 10-30 times. Stand holding the stick with your elbows bent at a right angle. While keeping your elbows tucked in, rotate your hand away from your body. Do not push into pain. Repeat 10-30 times
• Use heat treatment – use a warm hot water bottle, a wheat bag or the shower.
• Your GP may give you an injection to settle the pain if severe Have physiotherapy
• Have physiotherapy

What should I avoid?

Unfortunately osteoarthritis is a problem we will all have to deal with at some point in our lives. But if you keep yourself fit and active, correct your posture and keep your shoulder strong and flexible you can help to alleviate and manage your shoulder symptoms.