Shoulder osteoarthritis is a condition involving damage to the cartilage and subchondral bone in the shoulder joint. It progresses over time, leading to symptoms such as pain and clicking sounds in the joint during movement. Over time, this can cause shoulder stiffness and restricted motion.

Master, Doctor Hoang Thi Quynh Anh, from the Department of Musculoskeletal Medicine at Tam Anh Cau Giay General Clinic, states that the shoulder joint has the largest range of motion in the body and is involved in most daily activities. This joint degeneration often progresses silently and is not life-threatening. However, if not treated early, it can significantly reduce mobility.

Shoulder osteoarthritis commonly occurs due to old age, as the cartilage regeneration capacity gradually decreases and cannot keep up with the continuous wear and tear. Individuals who frequently engage in heavy labor, lift heavy objects overhead, or participate in sports that heavily use the shoulder joint, such as pickleball, tennis, badminton, swimming, or volleyball, are at higher risk of early shoulder osteoarthritis. This is because the joint endures repetitive stress over long periods.

Injuries like shoulder fractures, dislocations, or rotator cuff tears can alter joint structure, causing cartilage to wear away faster than normal. People with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, diabetes, or other metabolic diseases also face an elevated risk of early shoulder osteoarthritis.

Doctor Quynh Anh explains that pain is the most typical symptom of shoulder osteoarthritis. In the early stages, pain appears only during movement, carrying heavy loads, or playing sports. It then increases in both intensity and frequency, limiting daily activities and reducing work capacity. Many people experience severe pain at night, especially when lying on the affected shoulder, which disrupts sleep.

Joint stiffness is the next symptom, as patients gradually feel their shoulder joint becoming stiffer. They find it difficult to raise their arm high, reach behind their back to button clothes, put on shirts, or comb their hair. As the cartilage continues to wear down, the two bone ends rub directly against each other, creating a clicking or grinding sensation with every movement. Without treatment, the shoulder joint's range of motion decreases, and patients progressively lose the ability to perform simple daily tasks.

Doctor Quynh Anh advises patients experiencing persistent shoulder pain and stiffness for many days, which does not subside after rest, to seek early examination at a specialized hospital. Doctors will examine the joint and order X-rays to assess the degree of joint space narrowing, bone spurs, or bone end deformities. Ultrasound helps detect synovitis, joint effusion, and injuries to tendons and soft tissues around the shoulder. In cases of suspected complex damage or when evaluating cartilage, rotator cuff tendons, and ligaments, doctors will order magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Collagen injection for patients with shoulder osteoarthritis. Illustration: Tam Anh General Hospital

According to Doctor Quynh Anh, shoulder osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that cannot be fully cured. Treatment aims to reduce pain, control inflammatory responses, maintain range of motion, and slow down the degenerative process. Depending on the stage, patients receive pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and medications to support cartilage protection. Lifestyle changes, avoiding heavy lifting, and physical therapy and rehabilitation help reduce inflammation, strengthen the muscle groups around the shoulder to support the degenerated joint, and limit joint stiffness.

Regenerative medicine therapies, such as hyaluronic acid (HA) injections, collagen, and platelet-rich plasma, help alleviate symptoms and accelerate recovery from degeneration. For severe damage causing prolonged pain, loss of function, or when conservative treatments are no longer effective, doctors consider surgical interventions like arthroscopy or artificial shoulder replacement.

Doctor Quynh Anh recommends that everyone maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, strengthen the muscle groups around the shoulder, and avoid repetitive strenuous movements for long periods to prevent early degeneration. Individuals with a history of shoulder injury or existing joint conditions should undergo regular health check-ups to detect damage early.

Thanh Long