There are a lot of different kinds of arthritis shoulder pain. The shoulder is a complicated part of the body, and it is subjected to lots of different wear and tear over the course of a person’s life. As people get older, injuries that happened to the shoulder while younger can manifest in the form of arthritis. This can cause pain, a narrower range of motion, the inability to do normal everyday things like throw a ball, and a more limited lifestyle overall.

Just because the doctor calls a shoulder injury arthritis doesn’t mean that all the other body parts are suddenly going to be afflicted with arthritis as well. It also does not mean that surgery is absolutely required. When discussing the situation with an orthopedist, arthroscopic shoulder surgery as well as shoulder joint replacement are always an option, but it is certainly worth the while to search for alternatives.

A cortisone shot will sometimes give relief for a few months, but it does not do anything to fix the underlying pain. If one would like to avoid surgery and shots that only give temporary relief, other alternatives can be looked at.

Once a person has been diagnosed with arthritis of the shoulder, many healthcare professionals recommend physical therapy to delay or eliminate the need for surgery. The orthopedic doctors, however, do not give the physical therapy themselves. It is up to the patient to locate the resources that will give them the possibility of avoiding the costly shoulder surgery. This also holds true for people that need rotator cuff rehab or have other issues with their shoulders.

One can do these shoulder pain exercises by oneself, without the guidance of a professional physical therapist. Specific exercises and stretches that are designed to strengthen and limber up the tendons and muscles of the shoulder should be done regularly. As soon as this program is complete, if the pain persists, then additional evaluation by a healthcare professional is called for.

Learn more information about arthritis shoulder pain and rotator cuff rehab.