Glenohumeral Osteoarthritis

Glenohumeral osteoarthritis is the progressive wear of the articular cartilage of the shoulder, causing friction between the bones and joint deterioration. It is less common than in other joints, but can be highly disabling.

🔍 Why does it occur?

• Natural degeneration due to age
• Sequelae of previous trauma or dislocations
• Inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid, gout)
• Avascular necrosis of the humeral head
• Torn and irreparable rotator cuff (cuff arthropathy)

⚠ Most common symptoms

• Deep pain that increases with movement
• Progressive stiffness
• Joint cracking
• Difficulty raising the arm or making overhead movements

🩺 Diagnosis

• X-rays: loss of joint space, osteophytes, sclerosis
• MRI: evaluates cartilage, tendons and joint effusion
• CT scan in surgical planning

🩹 Treatment

Conservative

• Physiotherapy to maintain mobility
• NSAIDs and chondroprotectors
• Intraarticular injections (hyaluronic acid or PRP)

Surgical

• Total shoulder prosthesis or reverse prosthesis depending on the state of the rotator cuff
• Indicated in advanced osteoarthritis with significant pain and disability

✅ Prognosis

• Very good with well-indicated prostheses. Quality of life improves significantly in patients with severe osteoarthritis.