Shoulder arthritis affects about 30% of people over age 60 and is the third most common joint arthritis condition, causing significant shoulder problems and limiting the ability to perform everyday activities.
If you have shoulder joint damage and shoulder pain caused by arthritis or post-traumatic arthritis, turn to board-certified, fellowship-trained shoulder arthritis surgeon Michael J. Bercik Jr., MD, in Lancaster, Ephrata, and Mount Joy, Pennsylvania. He provides conservative treatment options such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication and corticosteroid injections, as well as minimally invasive surgical treatment options for shoulder arthritis through orthopedic surgery, restoring joint structure and function while diminishing discomfort across the body and improving upper extremity mobility.
Schedule a shoulder arthritis evaluation with Lancaster shoulder arthritis surgeon Michael J. Bercik Jr., MD., by phone or request one online today for exceptional care and recovery support.
What is shoulder arthritis?
Shoulder arthritis is a common form of arthritis, a chronic disease causing pain, inflammation, and stiffness in the affected joints, such as those in the shoulder. It often leads to smooth cartilage deterioration, damaged cartilage, and joint space narrowing over time after shoulder injuries, traumatic injury, or shoulder fracture, including broken bones. The glenohumeral shoulder joint, where the shoulder socket meets the humeral head of the upper arm bone, is particularly vulnerable, especially after a sports injury, shoulder instability, shoulder impingement, or wear and tear. The inflamed joint can also lead to joint disfigurement and disability over time when left untreated, with possible complications since there is no cure to eliminate arthritis.
Michael J. Bercik Jr., MD, a shoulder arthritis doctor, specializes in treating arthritis that affects the shoulders, including shoulder osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, and rotator cuff tear arthropathy as part of his orthopaedic surgery practice. He offers both conservative and surgical treatment options, including joint injections, and partial joint replacement, and is affiliated with various physicians to match your goals, while also caring for patients with related shoulder conditions such as frozen shoulder, shoulder separation, and trauma injuries that may contribute to pain and stiffness.
Types of shoulder arthritis
Not all shoulder arthritis is the same. The underlying cause affects how the condition progresses and which treatment approach is most appropriate.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of shoulder arthritis and is primarily caused by age-related wear and tear. Over time, the protective cartilage covering the ends of the bones in the glenohumeral joint gradually wears down. As cartilage thins, bone begins to rub against bone, producing pain, stiffness, and the grinding or clicking sensations many patients describe. Osteoarthritis tends to develop slowly and is most common in patients over age 50.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the synovial lining of the joint. This leads to chronic inflammation, cartilage loss, and eventual joint damage. Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis can affect both shoulders simultaneously and may occur at any age. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis often experience flares of intense pain and swelling followed by periods of reduced symptoms.
Post-traumatic arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis develops following a shoulder injury such as a fracture, dislocation, or significant rotator cuff tear. Even after the original injury heals, the joint surface may be permanently altered, leading to accelerated cartilage breakdown and arthritis symptoms years later. This type of shoulder arthritis is common among athletes and patients who have experienced significant shoulder trauma earlier in life. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, post-traumatic arthritis accounts for a substantial portion of shoulder arthritis cases treated surgically each year.
What are the common symptoms of shoulder arthritis?
Shoulder arthritis may lead to:
- Shoulder pain
- Stiffness
- Weakness
- Swelling
- Warmth
- Redness
- Reduced range of motion
- Decreased mobility
- Radiating shoulder discomfort
- Creaking, grinding, or clicking sounds with movement
- Pain with lifting heavy objects or exercise
The discomfort you experience because of shoulder arthritis may be mild, moderate, or severe, and sometimes crippling, and can limit an active life.
What increases the risk of shoulder arthritis?
Risk factors for developing shoulder arthritis include:
- Older age
- Previous injuries and trauma
- Family history of arthritis
- Playing overhead sports
- Repetitive motions involving the shoulder joint
Injuries such as a dislocated shoulder, acromioclavicular joint injury, or rotator cuff damage, including a torn rotator cuff, can also lead to cuff tear arthropathy or develop into an arthritic shoulder over time (similar to knee arthritis). Most people with high blood pressure, sickle cell disease, and other chronic health conditions may find that it further complicates joint health under ongoing stress and affects the blood supply to the shoulder joint. The symptoms you experience because of shoulder arthritis may be mild at first and gradually worsen over time, causing persistent pain, frozen shoulder, and reduced range of motion, necessitating an examination from a Lancaster shoulder arthritis doctor.
How is Shoulder Arthritis Diagnosed by a Lancaster Shoulder Arthritis Surgeon?
As a Lancaster shoulder arthritis specialist, Michael J. Bercik Jr., MD diagnoses shoulder arthritis in Lancaster after discussing your shoulder arthritis symptoms and medical history. He will also perform a physical exam, which includes examining your shoulder blade, the acromioclavicular joint, and other joints, and evaluating muscle strength and arm movement to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
Imaging procedures such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and other imaging tests can reveal changes in the glenohumeral joint, articular cartilage surface irregularities where cartilage wears down, bone spurs, and narrowing of the shoulder joint space. Blood testing may also help diagnose inflammatory arthritis or rule out other causes. He tailors a shoulder pain treatment plan that achieves exceptional patient outcomes and is designed to relieve symptoms and manage shoulder pain effectively.
Treatment Options for an Arthritic Shoulder
Typically, initial treatment involves conservative methods like over-the-counter medications for pain relief recommended by your doctor, ice, activity modifications, physical therapy guided by trained physical therapists, moist heat, and cortisone injections with minimally invasive approaches such as shoulder arthroscopy. Some patients may also try dietary supplements like chondroitin sulfate for short-term pain relief, although scientific evidence varies. Ultimately, nonsurgical treatment options aim to relieve shoulder pain and improve the range of motion in this painful condition.
Shoulder arthritis surgeon Michael J. Bercik Jr., MD also offers surgical interventions such as shoulder surgery to repair or replace the shoulder joint, including shoulder joint replacement surgery and total shoulder joint replacement, to ease shoulder pain and restore the affected joint’s structure and function. Operative treatments (often performed under regional or general anesthesia) may involve cleaning out scar tissue, using shoulder arthroscopy with a small camera and small incision, addressing damaged rotator cuff tendons and surrounding normal tissue, or replacing the shoulder joint altogether with shoulder arthroplasty. Advanced procedures such as arthroscopic Latarjet may also be considered.
Non-surgical shoulder arthritis treatment options
Activity modification
Adjusting daily activities to avoid movements that aggravate the shoulder can meaningfully reduce pain and slow further joint irritation. This may include limiting overhead reaching, modifying work tasks, or temporarily avoiding certain sports or exercises. Dr. Bercik works with each patient to identify which activities are contributing to symptoms and develops practical modifications that fit their daily life.
NSAIDs and oral medications
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen can help manage pain and reduce inflammation in the shoulder joint. These are often a first-line recommendation for mild to moderate shoulder arthritis symptoms. For patients with rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory conditions, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) prescribed in coordination with a rheumatologist may also be part of the treatment plan.
Corticosteroid injections
Corticosteroid injections delivered directly into the glenohumeral joint can provide significant short-term relief from pain and inflammation. These injections are especially useful for patients experiencing flares or for those who need relief while pursuing physical therapy. The effects typically last several weeks to a few months. Dr. Bercik limits the frequency of steroid injections to minimize the risk of cartilage damage over time.
PRP and biologic injections
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy uses a concentrated solution derived from the patient’s own blood to support tissue repair and reduce joint inflammation. While research on PRP for shoulder arthritis is ongoing, some patients with early to moderate arthritis report symptom improvement. Dr. Bercik can discuss whether biologic injection options are appropriate based on your specific diagnosis and the stage of joint deterioration.
Shoulder Replacement Surgery
Dr. Bercik performs total shoulder replacement and reverse total shoulder replacement in Lancaster, PA, both of which are considered the most common surgical procedures for advanced arthritis performed by experienced orthopedic surgeons. Reverse shoulder replacement is especially helpful for patients with a large rotator cuff tear or cuff tear arthropathy, where damage to both soft tissues and shoulder joint surfaces occurs. These procedures target the ball and socket joint, correcting deformity of the shoulder bones and improving shoulder joint motion by replacing the damaged joint surfaces with artificial components such as a metal ball and plastic socket. Shoulder replacement surgery may also be recommended for those whose glenohumeral joint and AC joint have both sustained damage.
Dr. Bercik determines the most appropriate procedure, including anatomic total shoulder replacement or reverse total shoulder replacement, based on the severity of joint deterioration, the condition of the soft tissues, your lifestyle, and whether severe arthritis or a fracture is present, ensuring comprehensive shoulder care.
After shoulder surgery, it’s vital to follow all post-surgery instructions. This includes eating nutritious foods, limiting shoulder movements by wearing a sling if advised to do so, taking medications for severe shoulder pain as directed, and completing physical therapy sessions that start soon after surgery to restore mobility and strength to the shoulder. Please don’t hesitate to call our office with any questions, or use our online scheduling system, and be sure to attend all scheduled follow-up appointments to monitor the implanted joint and ensure proper healing.
For younger or more active patients with arthritis limited to one surface of the glenohumeral joint, partial shoulder resurfacing may be an option. This procedure preserves more of the natural bone and is associated with a faster recovery in appropriate candidates. Dr. Bercik evaluates each patient’s imaging, activity level, and overall joint condition before recommending resurfacing versus full replacement.
When to consider surgery for shoulder arthritis
Surgery is not the first step for most shoulder arthritis patients. Dr. Bercik typically recommends surgical intervention when conservative treatments have been tried for an adequate period, generally 3 to 6 months, and have not provided enough relief to maintain a reasonable quality of life.
Indicators that surgery may be the right next step include:
- Persistent pain that interferes with sleep or daily activities despite medication and injections
- Significant loss of shoulder range of motion that limits work, recreation, or self-care
- Advanced joint deterioration confirmed on imaging, including bone-on-bone contact or severe cartilage loss
- Concurrent rotator cuff damage that is contributing to joint instability and pain
Patients with significant rotator cuff involvement alongside shoulder arthritis may also benefit from a coordinated evaluation. Learn more about rotator cuff treatment options to understand how these conditions are often managed together.
In addition to treating shoulder arthritis, Dr. Bercik treats common and complex shoulder conditions such as fractured shoulder and trauma injuries, often recommending shoulder surgery when conservative treatments fail.
Frequently asked questions about shoulder arthritis treatment
What is the most common type of shoulder arthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of shoulder arthritis, typically developing from years of wear and tear on the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis are also frequently seen, particularly in patients with a history of shoulder injury or autoimmune conditions.
Can shoulder arthritis be treated without surgery?
Yes. Many patients manage shoulder arthritis effectively with non-surgical treatment, including physical therapy, NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections, and activity modification. Surgery is considered when conservative care is no longer providing adequate relief.
How long does shoulder replacement surgery recovery take?
Most patients begin physical therapy within the first few weeks after shoulder replacement surgery. Full recovery, including return to activities like golf or light lifting, typically takes 4 to 6 months. Dr. Bercik tailors the recovery plan based on the type of replacement performed and the patient’s overall condition.
Is shoulder arthritis the same as a rotator cuff tear?
No, but the two conditions are often related. A rotator cuff tear can lead to cuff tear arthropathy, a form of shoulder arthritis that develops when the loss of the rotator cuff causes abnormal wear on the joint surfaces. Dr. Bercik evaluates both conditions together to develop the most effective treatment plan.
Where can I find a shoulder arthritis surgeon near Lancaster, PA?
Michael J. Bercik Jr., MD sees patients at locations in Lancaster, Ephrata, and Mount Joy, Pennsylvania. He offers both conservative and surgical shoulder arthritis treatment options tailored to each patient’s diagnosis, goals, and activity level.
Whether you’re looking for the best shoulder arthritis surgeon in Ephrata, Lancaster, Mount Joy, or nearby communities, many patients choose Dr. Bercik for his expertise and care. Schedule a shoulder arthritis evaluation with Michael J. Bercik Jr., MD, by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today to maintain access to decent medical care.
