If you're an older adult, you might experience a few aches and pains in your later years. Some of the pain you feel may occur in your shoulders. Shoulder pain can occur from many sources, including osteoarthritis. Here's how osteoarthritis affects your aching shoulders and the treatments needed for them. 

Why Do Your Shoulders Hurt So Much?

Although your shoulders perform numerous functions throughout your lifetime, they can become vulnerable to injury and inflammation. One of the conditions known to affect the shoulder joints is osteoarthritis or inflammation of the joints. Although osteoarthritis is a common disorder of the joints, not many people know that they have it. 

Osteoarthritis occurs when the fragile cartilage covering your shoulder joints wear down from everyday stress and pressure. Cartilage keeps your joints safe during movement. But as you age, the cartilage in your joints thins out or wears away. This wear and tear place your shoulders at risk for inflammation, pain, stiffness, and swelling.

Your symptoms may occur during any hour of the day, including in the morning. Your symptoms may also be more prevalent when you try to lift something or move your arms and shoulders. Some older adults try to soothe their symptoms with over-the-counter creams and pills. However, the pain will generally return at a later time. 

Unless you find long-lasting treatment for your pain, your symptoms may only get worse.

What Can You Do About Your Shoulder Pain?

It's important to see an orthopedist about your shoulder pain. An orthopedist can examine your shoulders to see if osteoarthritis is the culprit behind your discomfort or something else. Along with arthritis, bone fractures and soft tissue injuries can occur in the shoulders. A bone and joint specialist can use X-rays, and CT scans to rule out these issues. 

If you don't have any other problems other than osteoarthritis, an orthopedist may try to repair your aching shoulders with joint surgery. The surgery may involve replacing your entire shoulder joints with artificial or natural tissue. Some surgeons remove small portions or areas of the joints during surgery. Other orthopedic surgeons use a combination of treatments to help their patients. 

After surgery, you may need to take physical therapy to help your shoulders heal. Strengthening your shoulders during your recovery phase is important. If you need additional treatment or care, an orthopedic surgeon or doctor will inform you about it.

You can learn more about your shoulder pain and possible treatments by contacting an orthopedist office like christophercschmidtmd.com.