Are Older Adults More Likely to Get Shoulder Arthritis?

Why Older Adults Are More Prone to Shoulder Arthritis

The most common type of shoulder arthritis is osteoarthritis, often called wear-and-tear arthritis. Research shows that about one-third of adults over 60 have some level of shoulder osteoarthritis.

The risk goes up with each passing decade. For example, by age 75, over half of people may show signs of joint degeneration. The age-related factors include:

• Cartilage Thinning: The smooth tissue that cushions the bones naturally loses its elasticity and starts to fray with time.
• Reduced Blood Flow: Blood circulation to joint tissues decreases with age, making it harder for the body to repair small injuries from daily activity.
• Muscle Loss: Sarcopenia, the natural loss of muscle mass that happens with aging, can make the joint less stable, causing bones to rub together more often.

The Cuff Tear Connection

One risk factor unique to older adults is a condition called Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that hold the ball of the arm bone centered in the shoulder socket.

As we age, tears in the rotator cuff become very common, affecting more than half of the population of people over 80. If a rotator cuff tear is left untreated for years, the shoulder loses stability. The arm bone may start to shift upward and rub against the shoulder blade, causing a severe, specialized type of arthritis that mainly occurs in older adults.

How to Recognize the Signs?

How can you tell if your shoulder pain is arthritis or just a temporary strain? In older adults, arthritis symptoms often appear in a clear pattern:

• Crepitus
• Stiffness
• Night pain
• Pain with activity

Treatment Options for Seniors

The main goal for older adults is to restore independence and quality of life. Diagnosis usually starts with a simple X-ray to check the remaining space between the bones in the joint. The treatment options may include:

• Non-Surgical Relief: Most people start with physical therapy to improve the muscles around the injury, followed by painkillers or corticosteroid injections to reduce swelling.
• Changes to the Activity: Learning how to use the arm in safe zones, so as not to hurt the joint more.
• Modern Surgery: If non-invasive methods don’t help, surgeries like Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement are now very good for older people, especially those who have arthritis and damage to their rotator cuff joint.