Shoulder pain is incredibly common — but not all shoulder pain is the same.
Broadly speaking, most chronic shoulder pain falls into two major categories: arthritis, where the smooth surfaces of the joint gradually wear away, and rotator cuff disease, where the tendons that move and stabilize the shoulder become damaged. These problems can overlap, but understanding which one is causing your pain is the first step toward choosing the right treatment.
I often compare the shoulder joint to a golf ball sitting on a tee.
The golf ball represents the ball of your upper arm bone.
The tee represents the socket.
Both surfaces are covered with smooth cartilage that allows the shoulder to move effortlessly in every direction.
Over time that cartilage can wear away.
As the smooth surface becomes rough, movement becomes painful.
Eventually the bones begin rubbing against one another.
That process is called osteoarthritis.
Healthy cartilage lets the golf ball glide smoothly. Arthritis turns that smooth swing into a rough one.
These two conditions are often confused.
Arthritis affects the cartilage.
Rotator cuff tears affect the tendons.
Sometimes they occur independently.
Sometimes they occur together.
A patient can have:
Treatment depends on which problem is creating your symptoms.
Joint problem. Tendon problem. Sometimes both.
Patients often notice:
As arthritis progresses, daily activities become increasingly difficult.
Loss of motion often becomes just as limiting as pain.
Many patients ask about stem cells, PRP, supplements, or injections that can regrow cartilage.
At this time, none have been shown to reliably regenerate advanced shoulder arthritis.
Non-operative treatments help control symptoms.
They do not reverse the arthritis itself.
We can often manage arthritis. We can't currently erase it.
The decision should never be based on X-rays alone.
Instead we consider:
Many patients tell me they have stopped golfing, exercising, lifting grandchildren, or even sleeping comfortably.
When arthritis consistently limits the life you want to live, shoulder replacement becomes one of the most predictable ways to restore comfort and function.
We don't replace X-rays. We replace painful shoulders.
Treatment may include:
The goal is reducing pain while preserving function.
Eventually these treatments may become less effective as arthritis progresses.
Conservative treatments buy time. They don't stop arthritis.
Every shoulder is different. If shoulder pain is limiting your life, schedule an appointment to discuss your symptoms and treatment options with Dr. Jadye Kee.