Introduction
The symptoms of shoulder arthrosis are difficult to interpret at the beginning and therefore require special care during examination or observation. In the further course of this page, the various symptoms are listed and explained.
What are the typical symptoms of shoulder arthrosis?
The symptoms of patients with shoulder arthrosis are relatively unspecific and difficult to distinguish from other shoulder diseases. Both the pain described above and the regularly encountered restriction of joint movement are found in shoulder arthrosis as well as in other shoulder diseases. Especially the early stage of shoulder arthrosis is often not recognized.
In contrast to the impingement syndrome, a painful entrapment of the bursa and tendons under the acromion with painful lateral lifting (abduction) of the arm, in shoulder arthrosis it is particularly the rotational movements (rotation) of the arm that are reported as painful. As the disease progresses, the range of motion of the shoulder joint decreases, starting with the rotational movement of the arm outwards (external rotation). In the later course of shoulder arthrosis, when the shoulder movement is more pronounced and restricted in all directions of movement due to advanced signs of wear and a pain-related relieving posture, there are also considerable functional restrictions.
For example, the hand of the affected arm can no longer be guided partly to the buttocks (hygiene), partly to the head (combing hair) or to the mouth (eating). When the arm is raised, the movement is then performed more between the shoulder blade and chest and less in the shoulder joint.
- Relatively typical is a gradual onset of diffuse shoulder pain, often after stress at rest or during shoulder-straining activities.
- Lying on the affected shoulder can be painful.
- Movement restrictions of the shoulder occur relatively late, so that the tasks of daily life are often only slightly restricted.
- Later, general movement pain in the shoulder.
With shoulder arthrosis, it is quite common that pain can occur when the joints are moved.
This is due to the changes on the inner surface of the joint that occur with arthrosis. The surfaces are no longer smooth, but are instead traversed by various processes with sharp-edged indentations and bulges. If, during movement, the parts of the joint rub against them, the rubbing causes unpleasant pain.
The occurrence of pain at night is more indicative of arthritis of the shoulder (inflammation). These inflammatory processes cause unpleasant pain for patients, especially at night and at rest. In the case of shoulder arthrosis, nocturnal pain indicates that the shoulder has been overstrained during the day, e.g. by unusual or atypical movements during sports and work.
The occurrence of pain at rest is less typical for shoulder arthrosis. This is more likely to indicate arthritis (inflammation of the shoulder) or activated arthrosis due to previous overloading of the joint. Restricted mobility is also not an unusual symptom in shoulder arthrosis.
The extent of movement is often reduced by the arthrotic changes in the joints. In addition, patients often try to avoid pain and therefore minimize movements in the shoulder to small and careful movements. The less the shoulder is moved in shoulder arthrosis, the greater the movement restrictions.
In the worst case, a so-called frozen shoulder can occur. This should be avoided under all circumstances. This topic may also be of interest to you: You can recognize shoulder stiffness from these symptomsThe overheating of the joint is caused by irritation and inflammation of the joint.
Since it cannot be avoided that the shoulder joint is used and strained, over-irritation of the joint can occur for shorter or, unfortunately, also longer phases. Patients experience a significantly increased temperature in the area of the shoulder joint. In most cases, the overheating is associated with other symptoms.
The term crepitus refers to cracking and rubbing noises in the joint in shoulder arthrosis. They occur during various movements. This symptom is usually found in patients with advanced shoulder arthrosis.
It is caused by friction between the damaged cartilage and the inner surfaces of the joint.In addition to the destruction of cartilage, small bony outgrowths (osteophytes) are found in various stages. Many patients describe that they notice weather changes in the joints affected by osteoarthritis. This manifests itself in increased pain, pressure, stabbing or simply a more conscious perception of the joint. There is no precise explanation for this phenomenon. It can be assumed that even small changes in the air pressure in the joints are noticed.
