Expert Shoulder Arthritis Treatment in Glendale, Cedarburg, Wauwatosa, WI
Shoulder arthritis can make simple daily activities such as reaching overhead, lifting objects, getting dressed, or sleeping comfortably increasingly difficult. As cartilage wears away, pain, stiffness, and reduced shoulder mobility can significantly affect your quality of life. Dr. Jake Bauwens is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder arthritis for patients throughout Glendale, Cedarburg, Wauwatosa, WI.
Dr. Bauwens provides comprehensive, patient-centered care using the latest evidence-based treatment options for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other degenerative shoulder conditions. Whether your symptoms can be managed with conservative therapies or require advanced surgical treatment, including shoulder replacement, he develops personalized treatment plans focused on relieving pain, restoring shoulder function, and helping you return to the activities you enjoy.
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What is Arthritis of the Shoulder?
The term arthritis literally means inflammation of a joint but is generally used to describe any condition in which there is damage to the cartilage. Damage of the cartilage in the shoulder joint causes shoulder arthritis. Inflammation is the body's natural response to injury. The warning signs that inflammation presents are redness, swelling, heat, and pain.
The cartilage is padding that absorbs stress. The proportion of cartilage damage and synovial inflammation varies with the type and stage of arthritis. Usually, the initial pain is due to inflammation. In the later stages, when the cartilage is worn away, most of the pain comes from the mechanical friction of raw bones rubbing on each other.
What are the Types of Shoulder Arthritis?
There are over 100 different types of arthritis. The most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is also called a degenerative joint disease; this is the most common type of arthritis, which occurs often in the elderly. This disease affects the cartilage, the tissue that cushions and protects the ends of bones in a joint.
With osteoarthritis, the cartilage starts to wear away over time. In extreme cases, the cartilage can completely wear away, leaving nothing to protect the bones in a joint, causing bone-on-bone contact. Bones may also bulge or stick out at the end of a joint and are called bone spurs.
Osteoarthritis causes joint pain and can limit your normal range of motion (the ability to freely move and bend a joint). When severe, the shoulder joint may lose all movement, making your disabled.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system (the body's way of fighting infection) attacks healthy joints, tissues, and organs. Occurring most often in women of child-bearing age (15-44 years), this disease inflames the lining (or synovium) of joints. It can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of function in the joints. When severe, rheumatoid arthritis can deform or change a joint.
Rheumatoid arthritis mostly affects the joints of the hands and feet and tends to be symmetrical. This means the disease affects the same joints on both sides of the body (both hands or both feet) at the same time and with the same symptoms. No other form of arthritis is symmetrical. About two to three times as many women as men have this disease.
What are the Causes of Shoulder Arthritis?
Osteoarthritis is caused by the wearing out of the cartilage covering the bone ends in a joint. This may be due to excessive strain over prolonged periods of time, or due to other joint diseases, injury or deformity. Primary osteoarthritis is commonly associated with aging and general degeneration of the joints.
Secondary osteoarthritis is generally the consequence of another disease or condition, such as repeated trauma or surgery to the affected joint, or abnormal joint structures from birth.
Rheumatoid arthritis is often caused when the genes responsible for the disease is triggered by infection or any environmental factors. With this trigger, the body produces antibodies, the defense mechanism of the body, against the joint and may cause rheumatoid arthritis.
What are the Symptoms of Shoulder Arthritis?
There are several forms of arthritis and the symptoms vary according to the form of arthritis. Each form affects the body differently. Arthritic symptoms generally include swelling and pain or tenderness in the joints for more than two weeks, redness or heat in a joint, limitation of motion of a joint and early morning stiffness.
In an arthritic shoulder:
- The cartilage lining is thinner than normal or completely absent. The degree of cartilage damage and inflammation varies with the type and stage of arthritis.
- The capsule of the arthritic shoulder is swollen.
- The joint space is narrowed and irregular in outline; this can be seen in an X-ray image.
- Bone spurs or excessive bone can also build up around the edges of the joint.
How is Shoulder Arthritis Diagnosed?
Your doctor will diagnose arthritis with a medical history, a physical exam and X-rays of the affected part. Computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are also ordered to diagnose arthritis.
What are the Treatment Options for Shoulder Arthritis?
Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medicine and may recommend occupational therapy or physiotherapy, which includes exercises and heat treatment. In severe cases, surgery may be suggested. The type of surgery depends on the age and severity of the condition. In the elderly with severe arthritis, joint replacement is a good option. A common surgery for the treatment of shoulder arthritis is arthroplasty (replacement of the damaged joint), which may be total shoulder arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty.
Jake D. Bauwens, M.D.
Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Surgeon
Dr. Jake Bauwens is an orthopaedic physician, specializing in sports medicine and sports-related injuries. Dr. Bauwens attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison to complete his Bachelors of Sciences in Biochemistry degree, and Rush University Medical College to complete his medical degree.
Why Choose Dr. Bauwens for Arthritis of the Shoulder in Glendale, Cedarburg, and Wauwatosa, WI?
Dr. Jake Bauwens is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic sports medicine specialist with advanced expertise in diagnosing and treating shoulder arthritis. He offers comprehensive care ranging from non-surgical pain management to advanced shoulder replacement procedures, helping patients achieve lasting pain relief and improved shoulder function.
Patients throughout Glendale, Cedarburg, and Wauwatosa, WI choose Dr. Bauwens because of his:
- Fellowship training in sports medicine
- Expertise in diagnosing and treating shoulder arthritis
- Comprehensive treatment approach with both surgical and non-surgical options
- Experience performing advanced shoulder replacement procedures when appropriate
- Personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's lifestyle and goals
- Commitment to patient education and shared decision-making
- Evidence-based treatment recommendations
- Focus on restoring long-term shoulder function and quality of life
His goal is to help every patient reduce pain, improve shoulder mobility, and regain independence through compassionate, individualized orthopaedic care.
Arthritis of the Shoulder FAQs
What is shoulder arthritis?
Shoulder arthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the shoulder joint gradually wears away, causing pain, inflammation, stiffness, and reduced mobility. As cartilage deteriorates, the bones may rub against one another, leading to increased discomfort and loss of function.
What are the most common types of shoulder arthritis?
The two most common types are osteoarthritis, which develops from age-related wear and tear, and rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation and joint damage. Other forms of arthritis may also affect the shoulder.
What are the symptoms of shoulder arthritis?
Common symptoms include shoulder pain, stiffness, swelling, reduced range of motion, weakness, grinding or clicking sensations, and difficulty performing daily activities such as reaching, lifting, or dressing.
How is shoulder arthritis diagnosed?
Dr. Bauwens diagnoses shoulder arthritis through a detailed medical history, physical examination, and imaging studies such as X-rays. In some cases, CT scans or MRI may be recommended to evaluate the extent of joint damage and assist with treatment planning.
Can shoulder arthritis be treated without surgery?
Yes. Many patients experience symptom relief with conservative treatments such as activity modification, anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroid injections, physical therapy, and home exercise programs. Dr. Bauwens will recommend the most appropriate treatment based on the severity of your arthritis.
When is surgery recommended for shoulder arthritis?
Surgery may be recommended when conservative treatments no longer provide adequate pain relief and arthritis significantly limits daily activities or quality of life. Depending on your condition, shoulder replacement surgery may be the most effective option.
What is shoulder replacement surgery?
Shoulder replacement surgery, also called shoulder arthroplasty, involves replacing damaged portions of the shoulder joint with prosthetic components to relieve pain and restore function. Dr. Bauwens will determine whether a total shoulder replacement or another procedure is appropriate for your condition.
Can I return to normal activities after treatment?
Many patients experience significant improvements in pain, mobility, and overall shoulder function following treatment. Recovery depends on the severity of arthritis and the treatment performed, but most patients are able to return to many of their normal daily activities with greater comfort.
Schedule a Shoulder Arthritis Consultation in Glendale, Cedarburg, Wauwatosa, WI
If shoulder arthritis is causing persistent pain, stiffness, or difficulty with everyday activities, Dr. Jake Bauwens offers comprehensive evaluation and advanced treatment for patients throughout Glendale, Cedarburg, Wauwatosa, WI. From conservative care to advanced shoulder replacement surgery, he provides personalized treatment plans designed to relieve pain, restore shoulder mobility, and improve your quality of life.
Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and learn about your treatment options for shoulder arthritis.
