The reason your shoulder has such a wide range of motion and strength comes down to the capabilities of the rotator cuff, a collection of ligaments, muscles, and tendons that power and stabilize your shoulder.
Since the rotator cuff isn’t made of bone and cartilage, you’d think that it would be immune to the effects of arthritis. It is, however, prone to tissue tears; when combined with cartilage deterioration, you have a condition called rotator cuff arthropathy (RCA).
Sufficiently advanced, arthritis eventually takes its toll on the surrounding soft tissue of any affected joint. Given the role of the rotator cuff, though, RCA can have a significant impact on your shoulder’s condition and function.
As shoulder pain experts, the team at Bahri Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, specializes in diagnosing and treating shoulder arthritis and RCA. Since May is Arthritis Awareness Month in the US, let’s take a closer look at RCA in this month’s blog.
Rotator cuff arthropathy is a combination of shoulder arthritis and rotator cuff tearing. When these soft tissue injuries become chronic, the rotator cuff itself no longer does the job it’s meant to as the stabilizer of the shoulder joint.
That’s compounded by the way that cartilage wear affects the shoulder’s operation, setting up a cycle of deterioration, with each physical issue feeding further damage, unless treatment breaks up the pattern.
You can potentially recognize RCA by noting symptoms like:
These problems can make it difficult to perform ordinary, everyday tasks such as getting dressed or reaching for things on a shelf.
As with most orthopedic conditions, treatment begins with conservative options to make the most of your body’s natural healing capabilities. That’s particularly true when your shoulder issues are new and not severe.
Typically, we consider therapies such as:
In the case of more advanced RCA, including severe pain and loss of shoulder function, surgical procedures can often help your condition. These options include:
Advanced RCA may require a joint replacement procedure to restore function, such as a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty.
It’s never too soon to investigate shoulder pain. Treatment now can improve your quality of life before the damage becomes too severe. Contact Bahri Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Clinic, online or by phone, to request a consultation and exam today.
