What kinds of arthritis affect the shoulder?
This question usually comes up when shoulder pain has lasted long enough to prompt a visit. Before you can ask which kind applies to you, it helps to know how many kinds there are and which questions to carry in.
How many kinds of shoulder arthritis there are
OrthoInfo (AAOS) says five major types of arthritis typically affect the shoulder. The OrthoInfo (AAOS) page on arthritis of the shoulder gives the full list of all five.
One type in more detail
OrthoInfo (AAOS) says osteoarthritis usually affects people over the age of 50 and is more common in the acromioclavicular joint than in the glenohumeral shoulder joint.
That sentence names two joints in the shoulder area. If your clinician uses either term, you will already know what it refers to. The Shoulder Joint page from Cleveland Clinic describes the shoulder joint and how it works.
Steps to take before the appointment
- Write down where the pain sits, such as the top of the shoulder or deeper in the joint.
- Note when it started and what makes it better or worse.
- List your age and any earlier shoulder injuries.
- Ask the office what to bring, such as past imaging or a medication list.
If you are in Bloomfield or nearby, check with the office about timing and what to prepare. The Pain page at MedlinePlus is a plain-language place to read about pain in general.
The next step after this one
Ask your clinician which type of arthritis, if any, fits what you describe. Only an exam can answer that.