At Mayo Clinic Healthcare in central London, our shoulder specialists assess and treat shoulder arthritis. If you have ongoing shoulder pain, stiffness or difficulty moving your arm, we can help identify the cause and develop a treatment plan based on your symptoms, lifestyle and goals.
Shoulder arthritis can make everyday activities such as dressing, reaching for objects, driving or sleeping comfortably more difficult. An assessment can help you understand what is causing your symptoms and which treatments may improve movement and reduce pain.
Arthritis is a broad term for conditions that cause pain, stiffness, swelling, or damage within a joint.
The main shoulder joint is a ball-and-socket joint. It is formed by the top of the upper arm bone and a shallow socket in the shoulder blade. Cartilage covers the surfaces where these bones meet and helps the joint move smoothly with less friction. When cartilage and other joint tissues become damaged, movement may become painful, stiff or restricted.
Types of shoulder arthritis include:
Osteoarthritis, which involves changes in cartilage, bone and other tissues within the joint
Post-traumatic arthritis, which may develop after a fracture, dislocation or another shoulder injury
Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints
Rotator cuff tear arthropathy, which can develop after a large, long-standing tear in the tendons that support the shoulder
Different types of arthritis can require different treatments. An accurate diagnosis is therefore important.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis in the shoulder often develop gradually. They may change over time or become worse during a symptom flare.
You may experience:
Pain in or around the shoulder
Pain that becomes worse when you move your arm
Stiffness or reduced movement
Difficulty reaching above your head or behind your back
Grinding, clicking or catching when you move
Weakness or difficulty lifting objects
Difficulty dressing, washing your hair, or carrying out other daily activities
Pain that affects your sleep
Some people also have swelling or tenderness around the affected joint.
These symptoms can have several causes. Frozen shoulder, tendon problems, bursitis, and rotator cuff injuries can produce similar symptoms. A specialist assessment can help identify which part of the shoulder is affected.
Speak with a healthcare professional if your symptoms persist, become worse or begin to affect your sleep, work or daily activities.
Seek urgent medical advice if:
You develop sudden or severe shoulder pain
You cannot move your arm
Your shoulder has changed shape or is badly swollen
Your arm feels persistently numb
Your arm or shoulder feels unusually hot or cold
Your symptoms began after a fall or another injury
You have shoulder pain with a fever or feel generally unwell
These symptoms may indicate a fracture, dislocation, serious tendon injury, infection or another condition that needs prompt assessment.
The causes of shoulder arthritis depend on the type of condition affecting the joint.
Possible causes and contributing factors include:
Changes in cartilage, bone, and other joint tissues over time
A previous fracture or dislocation
Damage to the joint following another shoulder injury
Rheumatoid arthritis or another inflammatory condition
A large, long-standing rotator cuff tear
Previous shoulder surgery
A family history of osteoarthritis
Some work and sports activities repeatedly place the arm above shoulder height. These activities can contribute to several types of shoulder pain, particularly conditions affecting the rotator cuff tendons. They do not always mean that arthritis is present.
Your consultant will consider your symptoms, medical history, previous injuries, and examination findings when identifying the likely cause.
Your assessment begins with a consultation and physical examination.
Your specialist may:
Ask when your symptoms began and how they have changed
Review previous injuries, operations and medical conditions
Ask how your symptoms affect sleep, work and daily activities
Examine your shoulder for tenderness, swelling or changes in shape
Assess how far you can move your arm
Move your arm to assess the joint’s passive range of movement
Test shoulder strength and stability
Check which movements reproduce your symptoms
You may not need a scan to diagnose osteoarthritis. Imaging may be recommended if the diagnosis is uncertain, your symptoms are unusual or your specialist suspects another shoulder condition.
Tests may include:
X-rays to assess joint spacing, alignment and changes in the bones
MRI to provide detailed images of cartilage, tendons, muscles and other soft tissues
Ultrasound to assess tendons and other soft tissues or to guide an injection
CT scan to provide detailed images of complex bone changes when needed
Blood tests if rheumatoid arthritis or another inflammatory condition is suspected
Mayo Clinic Healthcare offers several types of musculoskeletal imaging to support diagnosis and treatment planning.
Your specialist will explain which tests may be helpful and why.
Treatment depends on the type of arthritis, the severity of your symptoms and how the condition affects your daily life.
Many people begin with non-surgical treatment. Your plan may include a combination of the following approaches.
Understanding your condition can help you manage your symptoms and take an active role in decisions about your care.
You may need to temporarily adapt movements that repeatedly increase your pain. However, completely avoiding shoulder movement can contribute to stiffness and weakness.
Your specialist or physiotherapist can help you find a balance between activity and rest.
A physiotherapist can develop an exercise programme based on your diagnosis and current level of movement.
Exercises may help you:
Maintain or improve shoulder movement
Strengthen the muscles supporting the joint
Reduce stiffness
Improve your ability to carry out everyday activities
Build confidence when using your arm
Exercise may cause some discomfort at first. Your physiotherapist can explain what level of discomfort is expected and adjust your programme if needed.
Therapeutic exercise is a central part of osteoarthritis management and may be combined with education and support for long-term self-management.
Your specialist may recommend medicine to help reduce pain or inflammation.
The choice will depend on your diagnosis, general health, and any other medicines you take. Anti-inflammatory medicines are not suitable for everyone and can cause side effects.
When medicine is needed for osteoarthritis, current guidance recommends using the lowest effective dose for the shortest necessary time and combining it with non-medication treatments.
Your consultant may discuss a corticosteroid injection if other treatments have not provided enough relief or are not suitable.
An injection may temporarily reduce pain and inflammation. It can sometimes make it easier to take part in physiotherapy or exercise.
Your consultant will explain the likely benefits, limitations, and possible risks before recommending an injection.
If symptoms continue despite conservative treatment, your consultant can discuss whether further assessment or additional treatment options are appropriate.
Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London does not perform wrist surgery. If surgery may be appropriate, your consultant can explain your options and coordinate a referral to a hand and wrist surgeon.
Patients choose Mayo Clinic Healthcare for access to experienced orthopaedic specialists and coordinated care for conditions affecting the knee and other joints.
Our approach includes:
Consultant-led assessment and diagnosis
Access to advanced imaging and specialised diagnostic testing where clinically appropriate
Personalised treatment plans based on your symptoms, lifestyle and goals
Collaboration with specialists in orthopaedics, rheumatology, physiotherapy and diagnostic imaging
Evidence-based care informed by international clinical expertise
As part of the globally recognised Mayo Clinic network, we are committed to helping you understand your condition and supporting you throughout your care.
Mayo Clinic Healthcare works with all major private health insurance providers, including AXA PPP, Aviva, BUPA, Health Partners Group, Vitality Health and WPA. Self-pay arrangements are also available.
If you have symptoms of osteoarthritis in the shoulder, including ongoing pain, stiffness, or restricted movement, our specialists can assess the cause and recommend appropriate next steps.
Whether you need a diagnosis or advice about treatment for shoulder arthritis, our team will help you understand your options.
Request an appointment or call +44 (0) 207 871 2575 to speak with our team.
Medically Reviewed by
Dr Anna Nuttall, Consultant Rheumatologist