Degenerative arthritis of the shoulder can be a painful and debilitating problem. Degenerative arthritis most frequently occurs among elderly people. It begins with the breakdown of the shoulder joint's hyaline cartilage. Hyaline cartilage is the tissue that covers the moving surfaces in all of the human body's joints. It is a dynamic and living structure of cells that together provide cushion and low friction to moving bones.
The breakdown of hyaline cartilage most often occurs by simply wearing down the cartilage, due to the millions of cycles that the shoulder will experience in an adult's lifespan. The cartilage may also be damaged by traumatic injuries, fractures, rheumatoid arthritis, or a loss of blood supply to the cartilage. Hyaline cartilage that has been worn away or severely damaged will not regenerate. The lack of this hyaline cartilage results in pain, discomfort and swelling as the glenoid and humerus bones are in direct contact.
It is often possible to treat the symptoms associated with degenerative arthritis of the shoulder with rest, heat, medications and physical therapy. When these measures no longer relieve the symptoms, surgery may be indicated. Shoulder arthroscopy may occasionally be indicated to remove loose pieces of cartilage which may reduce symptoms, but it will not correct the mechanical bone on bone problem which is responsible for the pain. The most effective method to achieve relief from this condition is Shoulder Replacement Surgery.