SHOULDER ARTHRITIS

Shoulder arthritis is a chronic shoulder pain condition that develops when the cartilage in your shoulder joint becomes damaged. As the cushioning wears down, the joint turns inflamed and stiff, making everyday movements like lifting your arm or reaching behind you painful and difficult.

Your shoulder is a complex joint with a protective layer of cartilage that cushions movement, which also makes it vulnerable to wear, tear, and inflammation that causes chronic pain and stiffness. If the condition is not treated early, it may gradually worsen and even lead to joint deformity. It commonly occurs due to natural wear and tear from ageing or autoimmune disorders that affect the joints. These problems can affect your daily activities and quality of life if left unmanaged.

At Singapore Paincare, our specialists provide minimally-invasive treatments that relieve pain safely and effectively—offering an alternative to long-term medication or surgery, often with little to no downtime. Our goal is to help you get back to your daily life with comfort and confidence.

What are the Common Types of Shoulder Arthritis?

Shoulder arthritis is classified based on its underlying cause and mechanism.

Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder

Degenerative wear and tear are a primary cause, often caused by ageing and chronic overuse. The joint lubricant dries up, leading to friction, inflammation and bony swelling, resulting in cartilage loss and ulcer formation.

Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Shoulder

An autoimmune disorder where widespread inflammation and swelling of the joints can affect both shoulders.

Post-Traumatic Shoulder Arthritis

Post-traumatic arthritis may develop if your shoulder is fractured, dislocated, or injured in any way.

Avascular Necrosis

Occurs when the blood supply to a particular area of the body is disrupted, resulting in that region dying (necrosis).

What are the Symptoms of Shoulder Arthritis?

Shoulder arthritis symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe, daily limitations. If your pain persists, worsens, or restricts your ability to perform simple actions, it's best to have it assessed by a shoulder pain specialist.

Pain in the Shoulder Joint: Pain can be felt in the front, side, or back of the shoulder. Pain is common in the morning, but it can occur at any time of the day. It can radiate downwards to the arm, wrist, or elbow, and is typically movement-related, worsening when lifting or exercising. Warmth, redness, and swelling may be present.
Stiffness: A sign of progression, resulting in a loss of range of motion that restricts daily actions like lifting the arm overhead or rotating the shoulder backward.
Grinding, Clicking, or Cracking: Audible or palpable sensations caused by the loss of joint lubrication and increased friction, which may or may not be painful.

What are the Options for Shoulder Arthritis Treatment in Singapore?

Conservative Treatments

If your Shoulder Arthritis is mild, you will benefit from conservative treatments, including:

Pharmacological Treatment: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly prescribed to manage the pain and inflammation associated with shoulder arthritis.
Physical Therapy: Physiotherapists can help alleviate pain by using physical therapies to strengthen the supportive muscles and restore the joint's stability for long-term health.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

If your shoulder discomfort has been persistent or more severe, minimally invasive options may be recommended without the need for open surgery. At Singapore Paincare, we offer precise procedures designed to relieve pain at its origin.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

Uses the patient's own platelets and concentrated growth factors to speed healing and reduce inflammation in the surrounding affected ligaments; a highly precise and effective solution for both osteoarthritis and associated surrounding injuries.

Intra-articular injections

Specialised injections used to ease the movement of the joints and frictions. Anesthetics can also be injected around shoulder ligaments for pain relief to provide targeted pain relief.

Surgical Treatments

Surgery may be considered for severe shoulder arthritis when pain remains persistent and disabling despite non-surgical treatment. Before recommending any procedure, a specialist will carefully assess your condition and determine whether surgery is appropriate. As surgery involves potential risks, complications, and recovery time, it is not suitable for everyone. We encourage patients to fully understand and weigh both non-surgical and surgical options before making a decision.

If surgery is recommended, options may include:

Shoulder Joint Replacement Surgery: A last resort for severe damage, where the doctor replaces the damaged sections of the shoulder with an artificial component. This major procedure is only recommended for suitable candidates after non-surgical options have failed.
Arthroscopy: A minimally invasive surgery that uses a small camera to view the joint, allowing for the precise removal or repair of damaged cartilage, ligaments, or excess fluid. Tendons may be repaired without the need for a large surgical wound.

How Singapore Paincare Treats Shoulder Arthritis?

At Singapore Paincare, our specialists use the proprietary Painostic® method to understand the real source of your shoulder arthritis pain. Developed from years of clinical experience, this in-house approach goes beyond standard scans and physical examinations to identify exactly which structures in the shoulder are causing pain, stiffness, and restricted movement. This allows us to map a treatment pathway that is tailored to your condition, symptoms, and functional needs.

We focus on the least invasive options first, including targeted shoulder injections and minimally invasive procedures, often supported by appropriate medication and physiotherapy. Treatment plans commonly include structured movement and rehabilitation programmes to help restore shoulder stability, improve range of motion, and support long-term joint health. Even in more persistent or advanced cases of shoulder arthritis, this integrated approach helps relieve pain, improve mobility, and reduce the risk of flare-ups or recurrence so you can return to daily activities with greater comfort and confidence.

How to Prevent Shoulder Arthritis?

While some forms of shoulder arthritis cannot be prevented, adopting a proactive lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk of keeping inflammation away and preventing degeneration.

Maintain Proper Posture: Reduces unnecessary stress on your joints, helping to prevent wear-and-tear that can lead to arthritis.
Regular Exercise: Incorporate exercises that strengthen muscles around the shoulder to improve stability.
Healthy Diet: Maintain a healthy diet to support overall joint health and manage weight, reducing systemic inflammation.

A Message About Shoulder Arthritis from Our Pain Specialist

Shoulder Arthritis pain often starts as a mild ache but can quickly affect your mobility, daily activities, and quality of life. Injuries, ageing, or wear and tear are common triggers. If left untreated, stiffness, swelling, or cartilage damage may worsen over time.

Many people assume shoulder arthritis is always about ageing or injury. In reality, weak muscles, poor movement habits, or underlying joint issues are often the real cause. That's why the first step is always to find out exactly where your pain comes from.

At Singapore Paincare, our Painostic® method goes beyond treating symptoms. We identify the real source of discomfort and build an individualised, minimally invasive plan — so you can move comfortably and confidently again.