Shoulder (Glenohumeral) Osteoarthritis
Glenohumeral osteoarthritis is arthritis affecting the main ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder. It can cause pain, stiffness and difficulty with everyday activities such as reaching overhead, dressing or lifting.
At Momentum Joint Care, we provide doctor-led assessment and ultrasound-guided injection treatments for suitable patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis.
What is Glenohumeral Osteoarthritis?
The glenohumeral joint is the main shoulder joint, formed by the head of the upper arm bone (humerus) and the socket of the shoulder blade (glenoid).
Osteoarthritis develops when the cartilage lining the joint gradually becomes thinner and less smooth. Over time, this can lead to pain, stiffness and loss of movement.
Symptoms often develop gradually but can fluctuate, with periods where the shoulder becomes more painful or irritable.
Common Symptoms
Glenohumeral osteoarthritis can cause:
Deep aching pain within the shoulder
Pain when reaching overhead
Pain reaching behind your back
Difficulty dressing or fastening clothing
Night pain affecting sleep
Clicking or grinding sensations
Progressive loss of shoulder movement
Short-lived stiffness after periods of rest
Not everyone with shoulder arthritis requires an injection.
Treatment may include:
Physiotherapy and mobility exercises
Strengthening exercises
Activity modification
Pain relief medication where appropriate
Managing painful flare-ups
Injections may be considered when symptoms are not responding adequately to conservative treatment.
Corticosteroid injections are anti-inflammatory injections that can help reduce pain and inflammation within the shoulder joint.
They may be particularly helpful when:
Symptoms have recently worsened
Pain is affecting sleep
The shoulder is irritable and inflamed
Pain is limiting rehabilitation or daily activities
Arthritis is moderate to advanced
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring component of healthy joint fluid. It helps lubricate the joint and improve smooth movement of the shoulder.
A hyaluronic acid injection may be considered when:
Symptoms are primarily due to wear and tear rather than active inflammation
You are looking to avoid repeated steroid injections
You have mild to moderate osteoarthritis
You are seeking a treatment option that may provide longer-lasting symptom improvement
Many patients report gradual improvements in pain, movement and function over several weeks following treatment.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is prepared from a sample of your own blood and contains a concentrated amount of platelets and growth factors.
PRP aims to support the body's natural healing processes and may help reduce pain and improve function in patients with shoulder osteoarthritis.
PRP may be particularly suitable for:
Mild to moderate osteoarthritis
Active patients wishing to maintain shoulder function
Patients looking for a non-steroid treatment option
Patients seeking longer-term symptom improvement
As with other biologic treatments, improvements typically develop gradually over weeks to months rather than immediately.
If shoulder pain or stiffness is affecting your daily activities, sleep or exercise, we can help.
Following assessment, we will discuss whether physiotherapy, injection treatment or another approach is most appropriate for your symptoms.