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Education · shoulder

Shoulder Arthritis Info Evidence

Last reviewed

Related shoulder topics. Total shoulder replacement , Reverse shoulder replacement , Revision shoulder replacement and Cuff-tear arthropathy .

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Video transcript

Shoulder arthritis develops when the smooth cartilage lining the ball-and-socket joint gradually wears away. As the bones begin to rub together, you feel a deep ache, stiffness, and sometimes a grinding or catching. Reaching overhead, out to the side, or behind your back becomes harder and more painful. The ache is often worst with use, and can disturb your sleep at night. It usually comes on slowly over years, and is more common with age, or after an old injury. Many shoulders are managed for a long time without surgery, especially in the earlier stages. Gentle exercises, guided by a physiotherapist, help keep movement and strength around the joint. Anti-inflammatory medication can settle the painful flares, and a cortisone injection into the joint can give useful relief. Easing heavy overhead activities takes some of the strain off the worn joint. When the pain becomes constant and limits daily life despite these measures, a joint replacement can help. A shoulder replacement resurfaces the worn joint with smooth implants, much like a hip or knee replacement. When the rotator cuff tendons are intact, an anatomic replacement restores the natural ball-and-socket. When the cuff is worn or torn, a reverse replacement is used, which swaps the ball and socket around so the remaining muscles can power the arm. It is done under anaesthetic through an incision at the front of the shoulder, usually with a short hospital stay. The aim is to relieve the pain, and restore comfortable, useful movement. The arm rests in a sling for around six weeks, to protect the new joint while it settles. Physiotherapy starts gently within the first few weeks, and moves through stages, protected movement first, then active movement, and strengthening later on. Pain relief is usually noticed early, with movement and strength building over the following months. It asks for patience, as a shoulder replacement keeps improving for a year or more. Keeping up the program gives the best long-term result.

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Shoulder arthritis causes pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion — diagnosis and treatment options explored.

Updated Jun 2026
A hand-drawn illustration of a worn arthritic glenohumeral shoulder joint, bone on bone.
Shoulder arthritis on X-ray: the cartilage that cushions the ball-and-socket has worn through, the joint space has narrowed, and bone spurs have formed around the rim. Kieran Hirpara 4.0

What you're feeling

Shoulder arthritis is a common condition. It causes wear-and-tear damage to the joint surfaces. You may notice that increased age brings more pain and visible changes on X-rays. The pain often starts slowly. In some cases, it becomes destructive quickly, especially in older women.

You will likely feel pain deep in the shoulder. This pain often worsens at night. It may also flare up after you use your arm or when you first wake up. Simple daily tasks become difficult. You might struggle to reach behind your back to fasten a bra. Tucking in a shirt can feel awkward or painful. Lifting objects overhead may trigger sharp discomfort.

Your surgeon will check for specific patterns of joint wear. For example, the head of your upper arm bone may shift backward in the socket. This is called posterior subluxation. Over time, this shift can change how the joint wears down. About 20% of shoulders with this pattern develop an eccentric wear pattern over a decade. Your surgeon looks for these signs to understand your specific situation.

You might wonder if infection is causing your pain. Your surgeon may use advanced imaging, like a special PET/CT scan, to tell the difference between infection and standard arthritis. This helps ensure you get the right treatment.

While management strategies continue to evolve, especially for younger patients, implant longevity remains a concern if you are very active. Your surgeon will discuss the best options for you. Anatomic total shoulder replacement is often the standard choice if your rotator cuff tendons are healthy. Reverse total shoulder replacement is another option, particularly if the cuff is damaged or in complex cases. Both approaches aim to reduce pain and improve function.

If your arthritis signs are mild on X-ray, you have about seven times higher odds of not feeling significant improvement after anatomic total shoulder replacement compared to patients with severe arthritis. This is important context for your decision-making. Your surgeon will help you weigh these factors against your daily needs and activity levels.

What's actually happening

Shoulder arthritis is a common wear-and-tear condition where the smooth coating on your bone ends breaks down. This coating, called cartilage, acts like a shock absorber. When it thins or disappears, the bones rub against each other. This causes pain and stiffness. Your joint capsule, the sleeve around the shoulder, may also tighten up.

In many cases, the rotator cuff tendons are still intact. These tendons are like ropes that help you lift your arm. When they work well, your surgeon can use an anatomic total shoulder replacement. This procedure replaces the worn bone surfaces with artificial parts that mimic your natural joint shape. It is the standard treatment when the cuff is healthy.

Sometimes, the rotator cuff is torn or weak. Without these tendons, the ball of the joint slips out of place. Your surgeon may then recommend a reverse total shoulder replacement. This surgery flips the ball and socket. It uses your deltoid muscle to lift your arm instead of the torn tendons. This design helps you regain movement even when the cuff is damaged.

The way your shoulder moves changes after surgery. Your shoulder blade, or scapula, works harder to move your arm. This is normal and expected. The new joint design allows for a full range of motion, though the movement patterns differ from a healthy shoulder.

Implant designs have improved significantly. Modern prosthetics fit more precisely and move more naturally. However, the longevity of these implants remains a concern for active patients. Younger or more active individuals may wear out the artificial parts faster. Your surgeon will choose the best option based on your specific joint damage and activity level.

What we can do about it

We always start with non-surgical options, especially if your wear-and-tear arthritis is moderate or mild. Your surgeon will likely recommend a course of self-management and physiotherapy first. This approach focuses on keeping your shoulder moving and strengthening the muscles around it to take pressure off the joint. You can expect to give this conservative care a fair chance before considering more invasive steps. It is the standard first line of defense to help you manage pain and maintain function without going under the knife.

If gentle movement and exercises are not enough, we look at medical management to control your symptoms. This typically involves pain medication and anti-inflammatories to reduce swelling and discomfort. Your surgeon may also discuss injections. Cortisone shots can provide significant pain relief for a limited time, helping you get back to daily activities. Other options like hyaluronic acid or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are sometimes used to lubricate the joint or promote healing, though their duration of effect varies. These treatments do not cure the arthritis, but they can buy you time and improve your quality of life while you manage the condition.

Surgery is considered only when conservative care has reached its limit and your pain remains severe. At this stage, your surgeon may recommend a shoulder replacement, also known as arthroplasty. This procedure replaces the damaged parts of your joint with artificial components to restore smooth movement and relieve pain. The specific type of replacement depends on the health of your rotator cuff and the extent of bone damage. For example, an anatomic total shoulder replacement is the benchmark if your rotator cuff is intact, while a reverse total shoulder replacement is often used for more complex cases involving cuff damage. These surgical treatments are considered effective for severe cases and can offer significant, sustained improvements in your ability to use your arm.

What to expect

Shoulder arthritis is a common condition that causes wear-and-tear of the joint surfaces. Without treatment, symptoms often persist and can worsen over time. Many patients experience ongoing pain and stiffness that limits daily activities. If you have mild signs of arthritis on imaging, you are about seven times more likely to feel that the surgery did not help enough compared to those with severe arthritis. This highlights why your surgeon carefully matches the treatment to the stage of your disease.

When managed well, surgical options like joint replacement can provide significant relief. Most patients see substantial improvements in pain and function. For those with an intact rotator cuff, both anatomic and reverse joint replacements offer good outcomes. Reverse replacement, in particular, shows low complication rates in the short term for this group. Even if your surgeon needs to switch to a reverse replacement during surgery, your results are likely to be comparable to those who planned for it from the start.

Long-term outlook varies. While many enjoy sustained improvement, implant longevity remains a concern, especially if you are active. Some patients continue to have pain or experience bone erosion more than 10 years after certain types of replacement. Additionally, about 16% of patients develop arthritis in the acromioclavicular joint (the bump on top of your shoulder) within 12 years after anatomic replacement. Strength in the front part of your shoulder may not fully return to normal for two years, though you will likely see improvement from where you started.

Recovery is a process, not a single event. You should expect gradual progress over weeks and months. While pain typically decreases, full strength takes time to rebuild. Your surgeon will guide you through this journey, but understanding that some limitations or discomforts may linger helps set realistic expectations. The goal is to restore function and reduce pain, allowing you to return to the activities that matter most to you.

When to see someone

Shoulder arthritis is common and often worsens with age. See your GP if you have persistent pain that does not improve with rest. Seek a specialist review if you feel weakness, instability, or if your shoulder locks or gives way. These symptoms can interfere with sleep or work. Sudden worsening of pain requires attention. This is especially true for elderly women with insidious shoulder pain, which may indicate rapidly destructive arthrosis. Your surgeon may use imaging to distinguish between infection and wear-and-tear arthritis. Early assessment helps manage symptoms and plan treatment, including potential joint replacement.

Reviewed by Kieran Hirpara · 27 April 2026.

Talk to your treating clinician for advice specific to you.

Evidence & references

Overview

  • Standardization of outcome assessment following treatment of shoulder arthritis is needed [1].
  • Shoulder arthritis is common [2].
  • Management strategies for shoulder arthritis, especially in young patients, continue to evolve [2].
  • Significant improvements in implant design have occurred for shoulder arthritis management [2].
  • Implant longevity remains a concern in more active patients with shoulder arthritis [2].
  • Anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (ATSA) is the benchmark for surgical treatment of glenohumeral arthritis with an intact cuff [19].
  • Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) has gained popularity for rotator cuff arthropathy and other complex indications [19].
  • Knowledge of the array of shoulder prostheses currently available and their indications can lead to optimized patient outcomes [11].
  • Use of treatment algorithms can lead to optimized patient outcomes in shoulder arthroplasty [11].
  • Total shoulder arthroplasty did not provide a clinically important advantage over hemiarthroplasty in terms of patient-reported pain, function, or adverse effects [24].
  • The evidence comparing total shoulder arthroplasty to hemiarthroplasty is of low quality [24].
  • Patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis converted intraoperatively to reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) had outcomes comparable to those who underwent total shoulder arthroplasty [3].
  • Reverse shoulder arthroplasty provides optimal outcomes with low complication rates across a short term of follow-up for glenohumeral osteoarthritis with an intact rotator cuff [4].
  • Patients with mild radiographic signs of arthritis have about sevenfold higher odds of failing to achieve the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) after anatomic total shoulder replacement compared to patients with severe arthritis [5].
  • The Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder Index (WOOS) is recommended for continued use in shoulder arthroplasty registries and observational studies [7].
  • A clear standardized set of shoulder arthroplasty complication definitions is lacking [8].
  • Both augmented and standard anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty can provide satisfactory and sustained improvements in patient-reported outcomes in patients with acquired glenoid retroversion due to glenohumeral osteoarthritis [26].

Anatomy & Pathophysiology

  • Pathoanatomic metrics with identified threshold values can discriminate glenoid types in shoulders with primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis [6].
  • Measurement of humeral subluxation in the glenoid hull plane may be more accurate than measurement in the scapular plane [27].
  • Scapular kinematics in patients with shoulder arthroplasty are influenced by the implementation of external loads, but not by the type of load [34].
  • Scaption kinematics in reverse shoulder arthroplasty do not change after the sixth postoperative month [35].
  • Elliptical and spherical humeral heads show similar obligate glenohumeral translation during axial rotation in total shoulder arthroplasty [37].
  • Geometric analysis of the prosthetic shoulder is precise [38].
  • Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) shoulders maintain the same anterior and posterior deltoid muscle moment-arm patterns as healthy shoulders but exhibit much greater intersubject variation and larger moment-arm magnitudes [41].
  • In RTSA, although the teres minor external rotation moment arm is higher than in a normal shoulder, decreased length could impair force generation [42].
  • Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty alters humerothoracic, scapulothoracic, and glenohumeral motion during weighted scaption [43].
  • Custom, non-spherical prosthetic heads more accurately replicate head shape, rotational range of motion, and glenohumeral joint kinematics compared with commercially available spherical prosthetic heads when compared to the native humeral head [44].
  • The scapulothoracic contribution to overall shoulder movement is significantly increased in patients with reverse total shoulder arthroplasty compared with a healthy shoulder [47].
  • Shoulders with rotator cuff tears require considerable compensatory deltoid function to prevent abduction motion loss [51].
  • Anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty results in tendon-metal contact and higher tendon contact pressures compared to the native shoulder [52].
  • The combination of altered resting scapular posture and restricted scapulothoracic range of motion could prohibit glenohumeral rotation required to reach internal rotation in adduction [55].
  • Glenosphere configuration can be modified to increase range of movement in reverse shoulder arthroplasty [56].

Classification

  • Pathoanatomic metrics with identified threshold values can be used to discriminate glenoid types in shoulders with primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis [6].
  • Anatomic patterns of glenoid bone loss exist for different classes of glenohumeral arthritis [14].
  • Shoulders presenting with posterior subluxation (B types) remained posteriorly subluxed over a decade [18].
  • Concentric arthritis developed an eccentric pattern 20% of the time over a decade [18].
  • Measurement of humeral subluxation in the glenoid hull plane may be more accurate than in the scapular plane [27].
  • A 3-dimensional classification system using combined humeroscapular alignment and glenoid erosion can be applied to describe degenerative glenohumeral arthritis comprehensively [36].
  • A small lateral extension and less posterior rotation of the acromion is associated with shoulder osteoarthritis and is present in almost all types and subtypes of glenoid morphology [40].
  • Osteoarthritic humeral head morphology varies significantly from normal, characterized by larger spherical diameters [58].
  • Osteoarthritic humeral head morphology does not vary as a function of the Walch classification between symmetric and asymmetric glenoids [58].

Clinical Presentation

  • Shoulder arthritis is a common condition [2].
  • Management strategies for shoulder arthritis, particularly in young patients, continue to evolve with significant improvements in implant design, although longevity remains a concern in more active patients [2].
  • Patients with mild radiographic signs of arthritis have about sevenfold higher odds of failing to achieve the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) after anatomic total shoulder replacement compared to patients with severe arthritis [5].
  • Pathoanatomic metrics with identified threshold values can be used to discriminate glenoid types in shoulders with primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis [6].
  • Rapidly destructive arthrosis of the shoulder joints should be considered in the differential diagnosis of elderly women with insidious shoulder pain [10].
  • Increased age is the main determinant of radiological changes in shoulder osteoarthritis, as well as pain [12].
  • Shoulders presenting with posterior subluxation (B types) remained posteriorly subluxed, while concentric arthritis developed an eccentric pattern 20% of the time over a decade [18].
  • Arthritic B2 glenoids are common, and their maximal erosion is usually posteroinferior [48].
  • F-18-FDG PET/CT effectively differentiates septic shoulder arthritis from varying stages of osteoarthritis [22].

Investigations

  • Standardization of outcome assessment is needed following treatment of shoulder arthritis [1].
  • Pathoanatomic metrics with identified threshold values can discriminate glenoid types in shoulders with primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis [6].
  • Rapidly destructive arthrosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of elderly women with insidious shoulder pain [10].
  • Increased age is the main determinant of radiological changes in shoulder osteoarthritis [12].
  • Increased age is the main determinant of pain in shoulder osteoarthritis [12].
  • Anatomic patterns of glenoid bone loss exist for different classes of glenohumeral arthritis [14].
  • F-18-FDG PET/CT effectively differentiates septic shoulder arthritis from varying stages of osteoarthritis [22].
  • In healthy/nonosteoarthritic shoulders, increased glenoid retroversion is associated with decreased anterior glenoid offset [31].
  • Additional research is required to document the clinical value of new technologies to patients with glenohumeral arthritis [32].
  • MRI offers a more precise method of determining glenoid version compared with x-ray imaging for preoperative osseous imaging in total shoulder arthroplasty [57].
  • The critical shoulder angle is an effective radiographic parameter associated with rotator cuff tears and osteoarthritis [63].
  • Three-dimensional CT reconstruction allows for reliable evaluation of the scapulohumeral relationship [64].
  • Three-dimensional CT reconstruction reveals significant posterior translation of the humeral head in osteoarthritic shoulders compared to nonpathologic controls [64].
  • Significant posterior translation of the humeral head in osteoarthritic shoulders supports the pathomechanism of glenoid component loosening [64].
  • A quantitative method for determining medial migration of the humeral head on plain radiographs is inexpensive, practical, and reproducible after shoulder arthroplasty [67].
  • Cystic disease in the glenoid did not affect functional outcome after total shoulder arthroplasty with minimum 5-year follow-up [68].
  • Cystic disease in the glenoid did not affect the presence of radiographic glenoid loosening after total shoulder arthroplasty with minimum 5-year follow-up [68].
  • Three significantly differently oriented posterior erosion patterns (posterior-superior, posterior-central, and posterior-inferior) were distinguished in shoulders demonstrating posterior wear on axillary imaging [69].

Treatment

Non-Operative Management

  • Nonoperative modalities should be utilized before surgical options, particularly for patients with moderate-to-mild shoulder osteoarthritis [17].

Surgical Management: General Principles and Indications

  • Anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (ATSA) is the benchmark for surgical treatment of glenohumeral arthritis with an intact rotator cuff [19].
  • Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) has gained popularity for rotator cuff arthropathy and other complex indications [19].
  • Surgical treatments like arthroplasty are considered effective for severe cases of shoulder osteoarthritis [17].
  • Knowledge of the array of shoulder prostheses currently available and the indications for each, as well as the use of treatment algorithms, can lead to optimized patient outcomes [11].
  • Shoulder arthritis is common, and management strategies, especially in young patients, continue to evolve with significant improvements in implant design [2].
  • Longevity of implants remains a concern in more active patients with shoulder arthritis [2].

Surgical Management: Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (ATSA)

  • Patients with mild radiographic signs of arthritis have about sevenfold higher odds of failing to achieve the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) after anatomic total shoulder replacement compared to patients with severe arthritis [5].
  • Both augmented and standard anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty can provide satisfactory and sustained improvements in patient-reported outcomes in patients with acquired glenoid retroversion due to glenohumeral osteoarthritis [26].
  • There was no clinically or statistically significant difference in the Oxford Shoulder Score results between groups with and without glenoid cementation in total shoulder arthroplasty for degenerative arthritis of the shoulder [28].
  • Total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is superior to hemiarthroplasty for treating end-stage glenohumeral arthritis refractory to conservative treatment in patients 30 to 50 years old, resulting in greater cost savings, fewer revision procedures, and greater quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained [65].

Surgical Management: Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty (RTSA)

  • Patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis converted intraoperatively to reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) had outcomes comparable to those who underwent total shoulder arthroplasty [3].
  • Reverse shoulder arthroplasty provides optimal outcomes with low complication rates across a short term of follow-up for glenohumeral osteoarthritis with an intact rotator cuff [4].

Surgical Management: Surface Replacement Arthroplasty

  • Cemented surface replacement arthroplasty (CSRA) provides good long-term symptomatic and functional results in the treatment of glenohumeral arthropathy in patients aged younger than 50 years in 81.6% of the patients [9].
  • Patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty with an asymmetric glenoid component for osteoarthritis achieve satisfactory mid-term pain relief and improvement in function; however, instability is not always corrected [50].

Surgical Management: Arthroscopic and Other Procedures

  • The authors recommend a systematic, inclusive approach to the array of pathologies encountered in the setting of early glenohumeral arthritis known as the Comprehensive Arthroscopic Management (CAM) procedure [16].
  • Scapulothoracic fusion resulted in improvements in functional outcomes scores, with most patients meeting or exceeding the minimum clinically important difference for recalcitrant scapular winging [53].

Outcome Assessment and Registry Data

  • The Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder Index (WOOS) is recommended for continued use in shoulder arthroplasty registries and observational studies [7].
  • The PROMIS Global-10 appears to have limited utility in the evaluation of patients with shoulder arthritis both preoperatively and after total shoulder arthroplasty [33].
  • A study of 1,270 individual patients from eleven centers demonstrated significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes at 1 and 2 years post-surgery for a polyethylene glenoid with a fluted peg, establishing a benchmark for early clinical value [54].

Standardization and Complications

  • There is a need for standardization of outcome assessment following treatment of shoulder arthritis [1].
  • A clear standardized set of shoulder arthroplasty complication definitions is lacking [8].

Complications

  • Standardized definitions for shoulder arthroplasty complications are lacking [8].
  • Standardization of outcome assessment following treatment of shoulder arthritis is needed [1].
  • Longevity of implants remains a concern in more active patients with shoulder arthritis [2].
  • Total shoulder arthroplasty is associated with high mid-term complication rates due to instability and loosening in B2 glenoids [45].
  • Symptomatic acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis occurred in 15.9% of patients after total anatomic shoulder replacement with follow-up of up to 12 years [15].
  • No case of glenoid loosening occurred at 3 years' follow-up in revision arthroplasty with a hip-inspired computer-assisted design/computer-assisted manufacturing implant for glenoid-deficient shoulders [21].
  • Total shoulder arthroplasty did not provide a clinically important advantage over hemiarthroplasty in terms of adverse effects, although the evidence was of low quality [24].

Recovery

  • Standardization of outcome assessment is needed following treatment of shoulder arthritis [1].
  • Implant longevity remains a concern in more active patients with shoulder arthritis [2].
  • Patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis converted intraoperatively to reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) had outcomes comparable to those who underwent total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) [3].
  • Reverse shoulder arthroplasty provides optimal outcomes with low complication rates across a short term of follow-up for glenohumeral osteoarthritis with an intact rotator cuff [4].
  • Primary anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) patients with osteoarthritis and an intact rotator cuff with no previous history of shoulder surgery had similar clinical and radiographic outcomes at a mean of 41 months follow-up [23].
  • Surgeons may consider using reverse arthroplasty in cases of primary shoulder arthritis with a critical shoulder angle of 35 degrees or greater [29].
  • The PROMIS Global-10 has limited utility in the evaluation of patients with shoulder arthritis both preoperatively and after TSA [33].
  • Subscapularis strength returned to normal in only a minority of patients at 2 years after shoulder arthroplasty, although significant strength improvement from baseline was observed [60].
  • There is a substantive subgroup with continuing pain and a high rate of glenoid bone erosion after 10 years following humeral head replacement for osteoarthritis [70].

Key Evidence

  • [L1] The present review highlights the need for standardization of outcome assessment following treatment of shoulder arthritis. (10.1177/1758573215622385)
  • [L5] Shoulder arthritis is common, and management strategies, especially in young patients, continue to evolve with significant improvements in implant design, though longevity remains a concern in more active patients. (10.1016/j.csm.2018.07.001)
  • [L3] Patients with glenohumeral osteoarthritis converted intraoperatively to RSA had outcomes comparable to those who underwent total shoulder arthroplasty. (10.1016/j.jse.2015.01.005)
  • [L4] Reverse shoulder arthroplasty provides optimal outcomes with low complication rates across a short term of follow-up for glenohumeral osteoarthritis with an intact rotator cuff. (10.1016/j.jse.2021.06.010)
  • [Paper] Patients with mild radiographic signs of arthritis have about sevenfold higher odds of failing to achieve the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) after anatomic total shoulder replacement compared to patients with severe arthritis. (10.1097/corr.0000000000002747)
  • [L4] Pathoanatomic metrics with the identified threshold values can be used to discriminate glenoid types in shoulders with primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis. (10.1016/j.jse.2021.03.140)
  • [L4] The authors recommend the continued use of WOOS in shoulder arthroplasty registries and observational studies. (10.1186/s12891-023-06578-5)
  • [L1] A clear standardised set of shoulder arthroplasty complication definitions is lacking. (10.1007/s00402-017-2635-9)
  • [L4] CSRA provides good long-term symptomatic and functional results in the treatment of glenohumeral arthropathy in patients aged younger than 50 years in 81.6% of the patients. (10.1016/j.jse.2014.11.035)
  • [L4] This condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis of elderly women with insidious shoulder pain. (10.1016/j.jse.2014.10.020)
  • [L5] Knowledge of the array of shoulder prostheses currently available and the indications for each, as well as the use of treatment algorithms, can lead to optimized patient outcomes. (10.5435/00124635-200907000-00002)
  • [L3] This study shows that increased age is the main determinant of radiological changes in shoulder OA, as well as pain. (10.1186/s13018-022-03137-x)
  • [L4] These data demonstrate an anatomic pattern of glenoid bone loss for different classes of glenohumeral arthritis. (10.1007/s12306-016-0406-3)
  • [L4] Symptomatic ACJ OA occurred in 15.9% of patients after total anatomic shoulder replacement with follow-up of up to 12 years. (10.1177/17585732221114796)
  • [L4] The authors recommend a systematic, inclusive approach to the array of pathologies encountered in the setting of early glenohumeral arthritis: the Comprehensive Arthroscopic Management (CAM) procedure. (10.1016/j.arthro.2022.01.033)
  • [L5] The article provides an overview of available treatments for shoulder osteoarthritis, noting that nonoperative modalities should be utilized before surgical options, particularly for patients with moderate-to-mild disease, while surgical treatments like arthroplasty are considered effective for severe cases. (10.1155/2013/370231)
  • [L4] Shoulders presenting with posterior subluxation (B types) remained posteriorly subluxed, while concentric arthritis developed an eccentric pattern 20% of the time. (10.1016/j.jse.2020.05.021)
  • [L4] At 3 years' follow-up, pain and clinical scores improved significantly and no case of glenoid loosening occurred. (10.1016/j.jse.2013.05.004)
  • [L3] F-18-FDG PET/CT effectively differentiates septic shoulder arthritis from varying stages of osteoarthritis. (10.1016/j.jse.2025.01.047)
  • [L3] At a mean of 41 month follow-up, primary aTSA and rTSA patients with OA and an intact rotator cuff with no previous history of shoulder surgery had similar clinical and radiographic outcomes. (10.5435/jaaos-d-22-00014)
  • [L1] Total shoulder arthroplasty did not provide a clinically important advantage over hemiarthroplasty in terms of patient-reported pain, function, nor adverse effects; however, the evidence on this topic was of low quality. (10.1097/corr.0000000000001523)
  • [L3] Both augmented and standard anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty can provide satisfactory and sustained improvements in patient-reported outcomes in patients with acquired glenoid retroversion due to glenohumeral osteoarthritis. (10.1016/j.jse.2021.12.016)
  • [L4] Measurement in the glenoid hull plane may be more accurate than in the scapular plane. (10.1016/j.jse.2017.01.027)
  • [L3] There was no clinically or statistically significant difference in the Oxford Shoulder Score results between the two groups. (10.1016/j.jse.2013.08.022)
  • [L3] These data suggest that surgeons may consider using reverse arthroplasty in cases of primary shoulder arthritis with a critical shoulder angle of 35 degrees or greater. (10.1016/j.jse.2021.08.003)
  • [L4] In healthy/nonosteoarthritic shoulders, an increased glenoid retroversion is associated with a decreased anterior glenoid offset. (10.1016/j.jse.2023.09.031)
  • [L4] Additional research is required to document the clinical value of these new technologies to patients with glenohumeral arthritis. (10.2106/jbjs.20.01853)
  • [L3] The Global-10 appears to have limited utility in the evaluation of patients with shoulder arthritis both preoperatively and after TSA. (10.1016/j.jse.2020.10.021)
  • [L4] Scapular kinematics of patients with shoulder arthroplasty was influenced by implementation of external loads, but not by the type of load. (10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2012.04.009)
  • [L4] Scaption kinematics of reverse shoulder arthroplasty do not change after the sixth postoperative month. (10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2018.07.005)
  • [L3] The 3D classification system using combined humeroscapular alignment and glenoid erosion can be applied to describe the disease comprehensively. (10.1177/23259671221110512)
  • [L5] A gained understanding of the consequences of implant head shape in TSA may guide future surgical implant choice for better recreation of native shoulder kinematics and potentially improved patient outcomes. (10.1186/s12891-023-06273-5)
  • [L2] Geometric analysis of the prosthetic shoulder is precise. (10.1007/s00402-012-1580-x)
  • [L3] A small lateral extension and less posterior rotation of the acromion is associated with shoulder osteoarthritis and is present in almost all types and subtypes of glenoid morphology. (10.1016/j.jse.2021.01.018)
  • [L5] RTSA shoulders maintain the same anterior and posterior deltoid muscle moment-arm patterns as healthy shoulders but show much greater intersubject variation and larger moment-arm magnitudes. (10.1016/j.jse.2015.09.015)
  • [L5] Even if TM external rotation moment arm is higher in RTSA than in a normal shoulder, the decreased length could impair its force generation. (10.1016/j.jse.2014.08.019)
  • [L5] This commentary highlights that reverse total shoulder arthroplasty alters humerothoracic, scapulothoracic, and glenohumeral motion during weighted scaption, emphasizing the need to integrate biomechanical studies, computer modeling, and dynamic clinical evaluations to develop a roadmap for precision rTSA. (10.1097/corr.0000000000002383)
  • [L5] The custom, non-spherical prosthetic head more accurately replicated the head shape, rotational range of motion, and glenohumeral joint kinematics than the commercially available, spherical prosthetic head compared with the native humeral head. (10.1016/j.jse.2013.01.002)
  • [L5] Total shoulder arthroplasty may have reasonable short-term results but is associated with high mid-term complication rates due to instability and loosening in B2 glenoids. (10.1016/j.jse.2013.06.017)
  • [L4] The ST contribution to overall shoulder movement is significantly increased in patients with an rTSA compared with a healthy shoulder. (10.1016/j.jse.2024.12.018)
  • [L4] Arthritic B2 glenoids are common, and their maximal erosion is usually posteroinferior. (10.1016/j.jse.2015.01.007)
  • [L4] Patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty with an asymmetric glenoid component for osteoarthritis achieve satisfactory mid-term pain relief and improvement in function; however, instability is not always corrected. (10.1007/s11999-007-0104-4)
  • [L5] Shoulders with rotator cuff tears require considerable compensatory deltoid function to prevent abduction motion loss. (10.1177/0363546518768276)
  • [L5] Anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty results in tendon-metal contact and higher tendon contact pressures compared to the native shoulder. (10.1016/j.jse.2018.04.017)
  • [L4] Scapulothoracic fusion resulted in improvements in functional outcomes scores, with most patients meeting or exceeding the minimum clinically important difference. (10.1097/corr.0000000000002673)
  • [L4] The study establishes a benchmark for early clinical value of new glenoid components by demonstrating significant improvement in patient-reported outcomes at 1 and 2 years post-surgery across a large multicenter cohort. (10.1007/s00264-018-4213-3)
  • [L4] The combination of altered resting scapular posture and restricted scapulothoracic range of motion could prohibit glenohumeral rotation required to reach internal rotation in adduction. (10.1016/j.jse.2022.10.009)
  • [L5] Glenosphere configuration can be modified to increase range of movement in reverse shoulder arthroplasty. (10.1302/0301-620x.100b9.bjj-2018-0264.r1)
  • [L3] MRI is useful for preoperative osseous imaging for total shoulder arthroplasty because it offers a more precise method of determining glenoid version compared with x-ray imaging. (10.1016/j.jse.2012.10.036)
  • [L4] Osteoarthritic humeral head morphology varies significantly from normal, with larger spherical diameters, but does not vary as a function of the Walch classification between symmetric and asymmetric glenoids. (10.1016/j.jse.2015.08.047)
  • [L4] Although significant strength improvement from baseline was observed at 2 years after shoulder arthroplasty, subscapularis strength returned to normal in only a minority of patients. (10.1016/j.jse.2014.06.042)
  • [L4] The CSA is an effective radiographic parameter that is associated with rotator cuff tears and osteoarthritis. (10.1136/jisakos-2018-000255)
  • [L4] The study demonstrates that 3D CT reconstruction allows for reliable evaluation of the scapulohumeral relationship, revealing significant posterior translation of the humeral head in osteoarthritic shoulders compared to nonpathologic controls, which supports the pathomechanism of glenoid component loosening. (10.1016/j.jse.2016.02.035)
  • [L2] Treatment of end-stage glenohumeral arthritis refractory to conservative treatment in patients 30 to 50 years old in the United States with TSA, instead of hemiarthroplasty, would result in greater cost savings, avoid a substantial number of revision procedures, and result in greater years of satisfactory or excellent patient outcomes and greater QALYs gained. (10.1007/s11999-016-4991-0)
  • [L3] This is an inexpensive, practical, and reproducible method that can be used to determine the rate of medial migration of the humeral head on plain radiographs after shoulder arthroplasty. (10.1016/j.jse.2010.03.010)
  • [L3] Cystic disease did not affect functional outcome or the presence of radiographic glenoid loosening. (10.1016/j.jse.2017.10.035)
  • [L4] Three significantly differently oriented wear patterns (posterior-superior, posterior-central, and posterior-inferior) were distinguished in shoulders demonstrating posterior wear on axillary imaging. (10.1016/j.jse.2021.04.028)
  • [L4] However, there is a substantive subgroup with continuing pain and a high rate of glenoid bone erosion after 10 years. (10.1016/j.jse.2017.10.017)

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