ARTHRITIS OF THE SHOULDER The shoulder can be affected by: A Osteoarthritis Degenerative changes affect the articular cartilage lining the joint interface surfaces. In the shoulder both the glenohumeral joint and the acromioclavicular joints can be affected. Overuse, injury, a genetic predisposition and inappropriate joint movement (poor joint kinematics, for instance abnormal, non concentric motion resulting from a large or decompensated rotator cuff tear, leading to early “cuff arthropathy”) can lead to osteoarthritis. This is less common that osteoarthritis of weight bearing joints such as the hip or knee.
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In all forms of arthritis pain increases with activity and is usually felt posteriorly in the case of glenohumeral arthritis and anteriorly in the acromioclavicular arthritis.
Passive and active range of movement are limited and there is muscle atrophy. Crepitus is common. Joint margins are tender on palpation.
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