Overview
Glenohumeral osteoarthritis is wear-and-tear arthritis in the shoulder's ball-and-socket joint between the humeral head and the glenoid. Over time, the smooth cartilage in this joint can thin and break down, and the joint surfaces may develop stiffness and bone spurs. This can lead to pain with movement, reduced range of motion, and aching or weakness in the shoulder and upper arm. Symptoms often worsen gradually and may flare after activity or periods of increased use.
Symptoms
You may notice deep, aching pain in the front or side of the shoulder that is often worse with reaching overhead, reaching behind your back, or lifting objects. As stiffness increases, daily tasks like dressing, bathing, and driving can become harder. Some people develop a grinding or catching feeling and reduced shoulder motion, especially when trying to raise the arm. Pain may also disturb sleep, particularly when lying on the affected side.
Causes
Glenohumeral osteoarthritis develops when the joint's cartilage gradually degenerates due to mechanical stress and age-related wear. It can also follow prior shoulder injury, joint damage, or conditions that changed shoulder alignment or increased cartilage overload. Inflammation can accompany cartilage breakdown, contributing to flare-ups and stiffness.
Risk Factors
Risk increases with age and a history of shoulder trauma, such as fractures, dislocations, or rotator cuff tears that alter shoulder mechanics. Repetitive heavy lifting or overhead work can add extra wear to the joint over time. People with prior shoulder surgery, chronic joint instability, or abnormal joint loading may be more likely to develop symptoms. Genetics and overall joint health can also play a role.
Prevention
While you cannot fully prevent osteoarthritis, you can reduce stress on the glenohumeral joint. Maintaining shoulder strength-especially rotator cuff and scapular stabilizer muscles-helps improve mechanics and may lessen flare-ups. Staying active with low-impact conditioning, avoiding repetitive painful overhead activity, and using good form during lifting can be helpful. If you have a triggering injury history, early rehabilitation and correcting movement patterns can reduce ongoing joint overload.
How the Diagnosis Is Evaluated
A clinician typically starts with a history of how pain affects daily activities and whether there was prior injury or surgery. During the physical exam, range of motion, strength, tenderness, and patterns of stiffness are assessed, along with checking for signs that suggest other problems such as rotator cuff tears. X-rays are commonly used to look for joint-space narrowing, osteophytes, and other bony changes; additional imaging like ultrasound or MRI is usually reserved for unclear cases or when another diagnosis is suspected. Not every test is needed for every patient.
Nonsurgical Treatment Options
Treatment focuses on reducing pain, improving motion, and strengthening the muscles that support the shoulder. Options often include activity modification, home exercises, and physical therapy to improve flexibility and scapular mechanics. Medication may include topical or oral anti-inflammatory drugs and short-term pain control as appropriate for your health history. Corticosteroid injections can be used for painful flares to help restore function temporarily. Hyaluronic acid injections such as Orthovisc, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections may be considered in some patients, although responses vary. In addition, trigger point-focused treatments may be helpful if muscle spasm contributes to pain, and a clinician can tailor a plan based on your exam and imaging results.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical attention promptly if you have sudden severe pain after an injury, rapidly worsening swelling, or inability to lift your arm that is new and significant. Get urgent care if you develop fever, redness, warmth over the joint, or feel systemically ill, as infection must be ruled out. You should also be evaluated soon if pain is steadily worsening despite rest, or if you develop concerning neurologic symptoms such as numbness, progressive weakness, or loss of function.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, cartilage loss and joint irritation can lead to progressive stiffness, especially when reaching overhead or behind the back.
They can help reduce inflammation and pain for a period of time, which may make therapy and daily activities easier.
Next Steps
If you suspect glenohumeral osteoarthritis, schedule an evaluation with a primary care clinician or orthopedic specialist so they can confirm the diagnosis and rule out rotator cuff or other causes. Bring a short note of what movements worsen pain, any prior injuries, and what treatments you have tried so far. With an individualized plan, many patients can reduce pain and improve shoulder function through conservative care.