%0 Journal Article
%T Shoulder Osteoarthritis
%A Claudio Chillemi
%A Vincenzo Franceschini
%J Arthritis
%D 2013
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2013/370231
%X Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most frequent cause of disability in the USA, affecting up to 32.8% of patients over the age of sixty. Treatment of shoulder OA is often controversial and includes both nonoperative and surgical modalities. Nonoperative modalities should be utilized before operative treatment is considered, particularly for patients with mild-to-moderate OA or when pain and functional limitations are modest despite more advanced radiographic changes. If conservative options fail, surgical treatment should be considered. Although different surgical procedures are available, as in other joints affected by severe OA, the most effective treatment is joint arthroplasty. The aim of this work is to give an overview of the currently available treatments of shoulder OA. 1. Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most frequent cause of disability in the USA [1]. Although not as prevalent as OA of the hip or knee, OA of the shoulder has been demonstrated, in cadaver and radiographic studies, to affect up to 32.8% of patients over the age of sixty years [2, 3] and to be equally debilitating [4]. Patients perceive that the impact of shoulder OA is comparable with that of chronic medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, diabetes, and acute myocardial infarction [5]. The prevalence of shoulder OA increases with age and women appear to be more susceptible than men [6]. OA of the shoulder is the consequence of destruction of the articular surface of the humeral head and glenoid and results in pain and loss of function. It can be primary or secondary. Primary OA is diagnosed when no predisposing factors that could lead to joint malfunction are present. Secondary OA may occur as a result of chronic dislocations and recurrent instability, trauma, surgery, avascular necrosis, inflammatory arthropathy, and massive rotator cuff tears [7, 8] (Figure 1). Figure 1: Shoulder OA: radiographic appearance with (a) and without (b) an intact rotator cuff. Treatment of shoulder OA is often controversial and is typically based on the patient¡¯s age, severity of symptoms, level of activity, radiographic findings, and medical comorbidities [9]. Nonoperative treatment options include activity modification, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and intra-articular injections. If conservative options fail, surgical treatment should be considered. Although different surgical procedures are available, as in other joints affected by severe OA, the most effective treatment is joint arthroplasty [10]. The aim of this work is to give an overview of the currently
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/arthritis/2013/370231/