Shoulder Arthritis Treatments: Medical Treatment for Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder
Does this happen to you?
Has your shoulder become progressively sore with movement?
Does the pain subside with rest and increase with activity?
Do you notice a sharper pain when performing overhead arm movements?
Has the range of motion of the shoulder decreased in recent years?
The shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the body.
Shoulder osteoarthritis can cause pain and stiffness and reduce your range of motion. Not only is it painful, but it can limit your ability to live fully.
If you have these symptoms come to the clinic Regenerat. We are specialists in the treatment of osteoarthritis without the need for surgery in many cases.
We will help you to recover your rhythm of life as soon as possible.
Take the first step towards a full and pain-free life with Regenerative Medicine.
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Specialists in the Arthritis Shoulder Treatments
I am Miguel Alfonso Porcar director of the clinic of traumatology Regenerat, and specialist in the treatment of osteoarthritis with bioregenerative therapies of platelet-rich plasma, growth factors, serum rich in cytokines…
Our goal is to determine the extent of your shoulder osteoarthritis and perform the appropriate diagnostic tests to determine the extent of your shoulder pain injury.
We will apply the appropriate conservative, regenerative or orthopedic surgical trauma treatment to relieve your pain so that you can recover your wellbeing as soon as possible.
Is there a cure for osteoarthritis of the shoulder?
No, osteoarthritis of the shoulder has no definitive cure, as it is a degenerative disease of the cartilage.
However, there are treatments that can alleviate symptoms, improve mobility and delay the progression of the disease. These include physical therapies, hyaluronic acid or cortisone injections, and in severe cases, surgery.
We want to help our patients using the safest, most successful, least invasive and most economical treatments possible!
English-Speaking Orthopedic Doctor for International Patients
Dr. Carlos Mairal, an orthopedic surgeon and trauma specialist in regenerative medicine, provides expert medical care in English for international patients.
He specializes in ultrasound-guided infiltrations using platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for the treatment of shoulder conditions such as tendinitis, rotator cuff tears, osteoarthritis, and frozen shoulder, promoting faster healing and long-lasting relief.
If you’re seeking advanced, non-surgical treatment for shoulder pain and prefer to communicate in English, Dr. Mairal offers personalized care in a professional and welcoming environment.
Book your appointment today and receive expert care from an English-speaking orthopedic doctor.
What is shoulder osteoarthritis?
In osteoarthrosis of the shoulder, the cartilage and other joint tissues gradually break down. Friction in the joint increases, pain increases and you slowly lose mobility and function.
Shoulder OA is not as common as hip or knee OA, but 1 in 3 people over age 60 has shoulder OA to some degree.
Age, injury and inflammation can cause arthritis, resulting in pain, swelling and stiffness in the shoulder.
Most shoulder arthritis is the result of wear and tear, known as shoulder osteoarthritis or marthrosis. However, inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis can also cause shoulder injury and pain.
In a healthy shoulder, the surfaces are covered with cartilage, which allows the bones to move smoothly over each other and acts as a shock absorber.
In osteoarthritis, this cartilage degenerates and becomes thin, rough and uneven. The fluid-filled space in the joint is reduced and the bone rubs against bone, which is uncomfortable and can lead to the formation of bony lumps or spurs.
Shoulder joints
The shoulder has three bones that come together to create two distinct joints.
- The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is formed where the clavicle meets the bony tip of the scapula (acromion).
- The glenohumeral joint is formed where the head of the upper arm bone (humerus) fits into the shoulder blade (scapula).
Osteoarthritis is more common in the acromioclavicular joint than in the glenohumeral joint.
Causes of osteoarthritis of the shoulder
Shoulder osteoarthritis can be primary or secondary.
- Primary osteoarthritis of the shoulder has no specific cause, but isrelated to age, genes and gender.Primary OA is usually seen in people over the age of 50, and women are affected more often than men.
- Secondary OA has a known cause or influencing factor, such as a previous injury, history of shoulder dislocations, infection or rotator cuff tear.
Having certain occupations – such as heavy construction – or participating in sports may also pose an increased risk of developing shoulder OA.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the shoulder
What are the signs of arthritis in the shoulder?
Common signs include:
- Pain is the most common symptom of shoulder arthritis.
- Limited movement and stiffness: you may lose range of motion and feel a stiffness that makes it difficult to perform everyday tasks, such as lifting your arm to wash your hair or pulling something down from a shelf.
- Crepitus: hearing and feeling popping and cracking noises when moving the shoulder.
Pain is the most common symptom of shoulder arthritis.
In the early stages, pain may occur when using the arm, especially when lifting heavy objects or the limb.
Pain is aggravated by activity and worsens over time. Shoulder osteoarthritis can make it difficult to get dressed, brush your hair, or put on your seat belt.
As the disease progresses, the pain will continue when at rest and begin to interfere with sleep.
The pain may be located on the side, front or back of the shoulder and may radiate to the neck or arm.
The affected joint will dictate where in the body the pain is felt:
- If the glenohumeral shoulder joint is affected, the pain will be felt in the back of the shoulder and may feel like a deep ache.
- If the AC joint is affected, the pain will be centered in the upper part of the shoulder. This pain may radiate to the side of the neck.
Other common symptoms are:
- Limited movement and stiffness: you may lose range of motion and feel a stiffness that makes it difficult to perform everyday tasks, such as lifting your arm to wash your hair or pulling something down from a shelf.
- Crepitus: hearing and feeling popping and cracking noises when moving the shoulder.
Diagnosis of shoulder arthritis
Dr. Miguel Alfonso Porcar relies on a thorough history and physical evaluation of your shoulder and the effect your symptoms have on your life.
In the physical examination we will evaluate aspects such as muscle strength, sensitivity to touch and pain in certain positions, mobility and range of active and passive movement, swelling, signs of new or old injuries, crepitation (creaking sensation inside the joint)…
After the physical examination we can request complementary tests:
- Imaging tests using X-rays, which in case of shoulder osteoarthritis will show joint space narrowing, bone changes and the formation of bone spurs (osteophytes).
- Ultrasound to examine the state of the rotator cuff. In this way we rule out or confirm that the injury is or is not associated.
- An MRI can provide more detailed information about the joint, so that we can tailor a treatment program to the condition of your shoulder.
Treatments for arthritis of the shoulder
Shoulder arthritis involves the degeneration of cartilage in the shoulder joint, leading to pain and reduced mobility.
While it cannot be entirely eliminated, several treatment options can help manage symptoms and improve function.
How to get rid of arthritis in your shoulder?
- In the initial phase, we will start with conservative treatments with the use of analgesic or anti-inflammatory drugs.
- To these medications, we will associate a relative rest of mobility and even episodes of local cold to reduce inflammation in the acute period.
- Physiotherapy: strengthening and joint balance exercises are also indicated.
Regenerative medicine injections for shoulder arthritis help reduce pain and improve mobility without surgery. The main options include:
- Hyaluronic Acid injectons: Lubricates the joint, reducing friction and pain. Ideal for mild to moderate arthritis.
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma): Uses the patient’s own platelets to promote tissue regeneration and reduce inflammation.
- Autologous Cytokine-Rich Serum (ACRS): Contains anti-inflammatory cytokines to slow cartilage degeneration and relieve pain.
Corticosteroid infiltration into the joint
A steroid injection precisely placed in the exact spot of the joint by ultrasound provides short to medium term pain relief.
The injection may be repeated on 2 or 3 occasions, but with a substantial time separation, as this may cause unnecessary damage to the joint.
PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) Infiltration for shoulder osteoarthritis
PRP contains growth factors in a high concentration, which stimulate the normal biological healing response.
Patients who undergo an ultrasound-guided PRP injection treatment often see a great improvement in pain and range of motion. This allows them to return to their normal life and sports activities.
PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) injection treatment is the treatment prior to arthroscopic shoulder surgery and helps many patients with osteoarthritis who would otherwise have to undergo surgery.
This is a very effective procedure and an alternative to arthroscopic surgery.
Autologous serum rich in cytokines (QREMCytokine).
QREM cytokine infiltrations are a novel treatment for omarthrosis.
Thus, we will inject inside the damaged shoulder an adequate amount of platelet concentrates, associated with anti-inflammatory cytokines in charge of reducing inflammation and initiating the regenerative cycle.
The cytokine-rich serum promotes decreased inflammation and activates cartilage repair.
In Regenerat clinic we use ultrasound for the infiltration of shoulder osteoarthritis.
It is performed in our office without the need for general anesthesia, operating room or x-rays.
Hyaluronic acid injections in the shoulder
An injection of hyaluronic acid allows to “grease” the joint and restrict the progression of cartilage loss .
It also tends to alleviate the clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis, being an effective non-surgical option in the conservative treatment of osteoarthritis.
These injections should be guided by the use of rx or ultrasound, to ensure that we are in the shoulder which is a deeper plane than other joints such as the knee.
Shoulder arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure .
Several small incisions are made in the skin of the shoulder and a thin scope attached to a camera is inserted. The device transmits images to a computer screen, allowing the orthopedic surgeon to inspect the shoulder.
Specialized fine instruments may be introduced to perform debridement or cleaning of the joint. This consists of trimming uneven or irregular cartilage, removing loose cartilage or bone fragments, and shaving bony lumps or spurs.
The operation is not a permanent solution for osteoarthritis, but it can significantly improve symptoms.
After surgery we will place your arm in a sling for a short period of time for a faster recovery. And as soon as possible we will remove the sling to start exercising and strengthening the muscles.
Shoulder prosthesis
Shoulder arthroplasty consists of removing the arthritic articular surfaces and replacing them with a prosthesis.
This provides immediate pain relief and excellent movement.
After surgery you will wear your arm in a sling for a short period of time for a faster recovery.
We will then recommend a rehabilitation program based on your needs and the results of the surgery. This will include exercises to restore shoulder range of motion and arm strength.
Why Regenerat Clinic to treat your shoulder osteoarthritis in Valencia?
Specialists in the treatment of osteoarthrosis in Valencia
In the field of shoulder pain treatment in Valencia, Regenerat clinic is your reference center.
State-of-the-art technology
We perform cutting-edge treatments using ultrasound, resulting less invasive, relieving and in many cases eliminating your shoulder pain in Valencia without the need for surgery, offering better health and quality of life.
Patient Testimonials
Our patients value our experience and multidisciplinary treatment for osteoarthritis, eliminating pain and recovering your activity after treatment.
Una atención muy buena por parte del Doctor José Garrido.
Me sometí una operación que gracias al doctor y su equipo fue todo un éxito. El procedimiento se desarrolló sin ningún problema y tanto la intervención como el seguimiento fueron de 10.
Estoy perfectamente recuperado gracias a el compromiso y la dedicación que le dedican.
Recomiendo esta clínica al 100%
Causes of shoulder pain that shoulder specialists can treat
Causes related to shoulder pain include pathologies related to the humerus, clavicle and scapula bones, articular cartilage, ligaments, tendons and/or muscles of the region.
- Supraespinatus tendinitis: Resulting from inflammation of one of the tendons that form the rotator cuff.
- Rotator cuff tear treatment: when inflammation is left untreated tendonitis can eventually lead to a torn cuff.
- Arthritis in shoulder: occurs when the cartilage in the joint wears down and causes pain, stiffness and swelling.
- Bursitis on the shoulder: is inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs or bursae that cushion the shoulder. It is usually consequence of tendinitis.
- Frozen shoulder treatment: When the joint capsule thickens contracts and tightens more than it should. It is also called adhesive capsulitis.
- Shoulder sprain: it is an excessive stretching of the ligaments, very common and usually occurs when falling or performing an overexertion.
- Shoulder strain: is the stretching or tearing of a muscle and/or tendon (tissues that connect the muscle to the bone). It is frequent in people who practice sports sporadically.
- Dislocated shoulder: Shoulder dislocation is a serious injury involving a momentary loss of contact between the bones of the shoulder joint.
- Calcifications in the shoulder: appearance of small calcium deposits, usually in the supraspinatus tendon.
New opening Regenerat: Orthopaedic surgeon in Gandía, Denia, Jávea….
Specialists in Regenerative Medicine and Physiotherapy in Gandía
Call ☎ 961 146 834
Regenerat is a paediatric and adult trauma clinic, specialising in regenerative medicine treatments that delay and, in many cases, avoid orthopaedic surgery.
Our patients get an unbiased diagnosis and we offer you various surgical and non-surgical treatment options.
The most common pathologies treated at our medical center are osteoarthritis, back pain, tendon injuries, and sports injuries.
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We are located at C/ Ciutat de Laval, 23, 46702 Gandia, Valencia, Spain.
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