Shoulder arthritis may affect the main ball-and-socket joint, known as the glenohumeral joint, or the smaller acromioclavicular joint at the top of the shoulder.

Symptoms and treatment needs vary. Some people have mild changes with occasional discomfort. Others develop significant stiffness, weakness or pain that affects dressing, reaching, work, exercise and sleep.

What Is Shoulder Arthritis?

Arthritis describes changes that affect a joint’s cartilage, bone, lining or surrounding structures. In osteoarthritis, cartilage gradually becomes thinner, and the joint may develop changes such as reduced joint space, bone spurs and altered movement.

Shoulder arthritis does not always cause constant pain. Symptoms can fluctuate with activity, sleep, general health, joint irritation and the demands placed on the arm.

Which Parts of the Shoulder Can Develop Arthritis?

What Are the Symptoms of Shoulder Arthritis?

Symptoms often develop gradually, although they may become more noticeable after a change in activity or a painful flare.

• Deep aching pain within or around the shoulder
• Stiffness or loss of shoulder movement
• Pain when reaching overhead or behind the back
• Difficulty dressing, washing or fastening clothing
• Pain when lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling
• Night pain or difficulty lying on the affected side
• Weakness or reduced confidence using the arm
• Clicking, grinding or catching during movement

Grinding or clicking does not automatically mean that the joint is being damaged during every movement. Your symptoms, physical findings and function provide more useful guidance than joint noise alone.

Could It Be Another Shoulder Condition?

Several shoulder problems can produce similar symptoms. These include shoulder bursitis, rotator cuff pain, a rotator cuff tear and frozen shoulder.

Neck conditions may also refer pain into the shoulder or arm. Therefore, an assessment should examine the shoulder, neck, strength, movement pattern and symptom behaviour rather than relying on one painful movement.

How Is Shoulder Arthritis Diagnosed?

Your physiotherapist or doctor will ask about your symptoms, previous injuries, general health, work, exercise and the activities that have become difficult.

A physical assessment may include:

• Active and passive shoulder movement
• Rotator cuff and shoulder muscle strength
• Joint irritability and symptom response
• Neck and upper-back screening
• Reaching, lifting and other relevant tasks
• Comparison with the opposite shoulder

An X-ray may show joint-space narrowing, bone spurs or other arthritic changes. MRI, ultrasound or CT imaging may be useful when a clinician needs more information about the rotator cuff, bone, joint surface or surgical planning.

How Is Shoulder Arthritis Treated?

Most people begin with non-surgical management. Your plan should reflect the affected joint, symptom irritability, movement restrictions, strength, health history and personal goals.

Education and activity adjustment

You may need to modify painful loads during a flare without stopping all shoulder activity. Changing lifting height, load, frequency or technique can help you remain active while symptoms settle.

Shoulder mobility

Gentle movement can help maintain the range required for daily tasks. The most suitable direction and dosage depend on which movements are limited or irritable.

Strength and control

Progressive strengthening may improve the capacity of the rotator cuff, shoulder blade muscles and surrounding arm muscles. Visit our shoulder exercises guide for general information.

Manual therapy

Selected joint or soft-tissue techniques may provide short-term relief or help movement when used as part of a broader active rehabilitation plan.

Pain-relief options

A doctor or pharmacist can advise whether medication is suitable for you. In some cases, a doctor may discuss an injection when pain is preventing sleep, movement or rehabilitation.

Can Exercise Help Shoulder Arthritis?

Appropriate exercise may help improve movement, muscle capacity and tolerance for everyday activity. It does not need to be pain-free at every moment, but the response should remain manageable and should not cause a major or sustained flare.

1. Begin with tolerable movement

   Use a comfortable range and avoid repeatedly forcing a stiff or highly irritable shoulder.

2. Build strength gradually

   Start with a manageable resistance and progress the load, range or repetitions over time.

3. Watch the next-day response

   A small temporary increase may occur, but a marked or lasting flare suggests that the exercise dose needs adjustment.

How Can I Manage a Painful Flare?

• Reduce or modify the activity that triggered the flare
• Continue comfortable shoulder and arm movement
• Use supported sleeping positions
• Avoid repeatedly testing the most painful movement
• Restart strengthening at a lower load when symptoms settle
• Seek advice when pain remains severe or function continues to decline

Complete rest can contribute to further stiffness and weakness. Instead, aim for relative rest while maintaining tolerable movement and normal use where possible.

When Is Shoulder Surgery Considered?

Surgery may be considered when pain and disability remain substantial despite an appropriate period of non-surgical care. The decision also depends on the joint involved, rotator cuff condition, age, health, goals and imaging findings.

Procedures may include:

• Selected arthroscopic procedures
• Anatomic total shoulder replacement
• Reverse shoulder replacement
• Other procedures suited to the affected joint or previous injury

Following surgery, a staged post-operative shoulder physiotherapy program can help restore movement, strength and functional use while respecting surgical precautions.

When Should I Seek Medical Advice?

Book a routine assessment when pain or stiffness persists, sleep is regularly affected, movement is becoming more limited or shoulder symptoms interfere with work, exercise or daily tasks.

Shoulder Arthritis FAQs

What to Do Next

If shoulder pain or stiffness is limiting your movement, arrange a physiotherapy assessment. Your physiotherapist can identify the main factors affecting your shoulder, explain suitable options and develop a plan based on your symptoms and goals.