What is shoulder arthritis? Shoulder arthritis is a condition where the joints of the shoulder are inflamed and/or eroded. The term ‘shoulder arthritis’ is broad since it does not clearly indicate which of the two shoulder joints are affected or what type of arthritis afflicts the joint. It is often incorrectly used to describe other conditions affecting the shoulder like bursitis or adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder). Joints of the Shoulder The shoulder joint is not a single joint. There are actually two joints at the shoulder. Acromioclavicular (AC) joint is the smaller of the two. It is the point where the collarbone (clavicle) articulates with the acromion of the scapula (shoulder blade). Glenohumeral joint is the larger joint where the arm bone (humerus) articulates with the glenoid portion of the scapula (shoulder blade). One or both joints may be affected in shoulder arthritis and the symptoms can vary slightly due to the differences in location. Types of Shoulder Arthritis There are various different types of arthritis that can affect any joint in the body, not only the shoulder joint. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common followed by rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Given the anatomy and function of the shoulder, post-traumatic arthritis … Continue reading Shoulder Arthritis