Review Article

A Comprehensive Approach to Glenohumeral Arthritis

Authors: Travis J. Menge, MD, Robert E. Boykin, MD, Ian R. Byram, MD, Brandon D. Bushnell, MD

Abstract

Arthritis of the glenohumeral joint is a common cause of debilitating shoulder pain, affecting up to one-third of patients older than 60 years. It is progressive in nature and characterized by irreversible destruction of the humeral head and glenoid articular surfaces. Inflammation of the surrounding soft tissues is often present and further contributes to the pain caused by the disease process. A number of primary (degenerative) and secondary pathological processes may result in this condition. Patients often present with a long history of shoulder pain, stiffness, and/or loss of function, or may have acute
exacerbations of this chronic condition. Initial conservative management is aimed at improving pain and restoring function. Surgical treatment is indicated in severe or refractory cases when nonoperative management has failed. Shoulder replacement now accounts for the third most common joint replacement surgery after the hip and knee. This article reviews the basic science and clinical management of osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

1. US Bone and Joint Decade. The Burden of Musculoskeletal Diseases in the United States, Rosemont, IL, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2008.
 
2. Huysmans PE, Haen PS, Kidd M, et al. The shape of the inferior part of the glenoid: a cadaveric study. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2006;15:759-763.
 
3. Murray IR, Goudie EB, Petrigliano FA, et al. Functional anatomy and biomechanics of shoulder stability in the athlete. Clin Sports Med 2013;32:607-624.
 
4. Halder AM, Kuhl SG, Zobitz ME, et al. Effects of the glenoid labrum and glenohumeral abduction on stability of the shoulder joint through concavity-compression: an in vitro study. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2001;83-A:1062-1069.
 
5. Labriola JE, Lee TQ, Debski RE, et al. Stability and instability of the glenohumeral joint: the role of shoulder muscles. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2005;14(1 Suppl S):32S-38S.
 
6. Lee SB, Kim KJ, O’Driscoll SW, et al. Dynamic glenohumeral stability provided by the rotator cuff muscles in the mid-range and end-range of motion. A study in cadavera. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2000;82:849-857.
 
7. Hsu HC, Luo ZP, Cofield RH, et al. Influence of rotator cuff tearing on glenohumeral stability. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 1997;6:413-422.
 
8. Ellman H, Harris E, Kay SP. Early degenerative joint disease simulating impingement syndrome: arthroscopic findings. Arthroscopy 1992;8:482-487.
 
9. Green A, Norris TR. Imaging techniques for glenohumeral arthritis and glenohumeral arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1994;(307):7-17.
 
10. Chillemi C, Franceschini V. Shoulder osteoarthritis. Arthritis 2013;2013:370231.
 
11. Bishop JY, Flatow EL. Management of glenohumeral arthritis: a role for arthroscopy? Orthop Clin North Am 2003;34:559-566.
 
12. Hayes ML, Collins MS, Morgan JA, et al. Efficacy of diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging for articular cartilage lesions of the glenohumeral joint in patients with instability. Skeletal Radiol 2010;39:1199-1204.
 
13. Savoie FH 3rd, Brislin KJ, Argo D. Arthroscopic glenoid resurfacing as a surgical treatment for glenohumeral arthritis in the young patient: midterm results. Arthroscopy 2009;25:864-871.
 
14. Daley EL, Bajaj S, Bisson LJ, et al. Improving injection accuracy of the elbow, knee, and shoulder: does injection site and imaging make a difference? A systematic review. Am J Sports Med 2011;39:656-662.
 
15. Chong PY, Srikumaran U, Kuye IO, et al. Glenohumeral arthritis in the young patient. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2011;20(2 Suppl):S30-S40.
 
16. Blair B, Rokito AS, Cuomo F, et al. Efficacy of injections of corticosteroids for subacromial impingement syndrome. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1996;78:1685-1689.
 
17. Denard PJ, Wirth MA, Orfaly RM. Management of glenohumeral arthritis in the young adult. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2011;93:885-892.
 
18. Izquierdo R, Voloshin I, Edwards S, et al. Treatment of glenohumeral osteoarthritis. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2010;18:375-382.
 
18a. McCarty LP 3rd, Cole BJ. Nonarthroplasty treatment of glenohumeral cartilage lesions. Arthroscopy 2005;21:1131-1142.
 
19. Ogilvie-Harris DJ, Wiley AM. Arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder. A general appraisal. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1986;68:201-207.
 
20. Weinstein DM, Bucchieri JS, Pollock RG, et al. Arthroscopic debridement of the shoulder for osteoarthritis. Arthroscopy 2000;16:471-476.
 
21. Millett PJ, Horan MP, Pennock AT, et al. Comprehensive arthroscopic management (CAM) procedure: clinical results of a joint-preserving arthroscopic treatment for young, active patients with advanced shoulder osteoarthritis. Arthroscopy 2013;29:440-448.
 
22. Pennington WT, Bartz BA. Arthroscopic glenoid resurfacing with meniscal allograft: a minimally invasive alternative for treating glenohumeral arthritis. Arthroscopy 2005;21:1517-1520.
 
23. Burkhead WZ Jr, Hutton KS. Biologic resurfacing of the glenoid with hemiarthroplasty of the shoulder. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 1995;4:263-270.
 
24. Krishnan SG, Nowinski RJ, Harrison D, et al. Humeral hemiarthroplasty with biologic resurfacing of the glenoid for glenohumeral arthritis. Two to fifteen-year outcomes. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2007;89:727-734.
 
25. Gobezie R, Lenarz CJ, Wanner JP, et al. All-arthroscopic biologic total shoulder resurfacing. Arthroscopy 2011;27:1588-1593.
 
26. Thomas SR, Sforza G, Levy O, et al. Geometrical analysis of Copeland surface replacement shoulder arthroplasty in relation to normal anatomy. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2005;14:186-192.
 
26a. Skendzel JG, Sekiya JK. Arthroscopic glenoid osteochondral allograft reconstruction without subscapularis takedown: Technique and literature review. Arthroscopy 2011;27:129-135.
 
26b. Scheibel M, Bartl C, Magosch P, et al. Osteochondral autologous transplantation for the treatment of full-thickness articular cartilage defects of the shoulder. J Bone Joint Surg Br 2004;86:991-997.
 
27. Parsons IM 4th, Millett PJ, Warner JJ. Glenoid wear after shoulder hemiarthroplasty: quantitative radiographic analysis. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2004;(421):120-125.
 
28. Levine WN, Djurasovic M, Glasson JM, et al. Hemiarthroplasty for glenohumeral osteoarthritis: results correlated to degree of glenoid wear. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 1997;6:449-454.
 
29. Bryant D, Litchfield R, Sandow M, et al. A comparison of pain, strength, range of motion, and functional outcomes after hemiarthroplasty and total shoulder arthroplasty in patients with osteoarthritis of the shoulder. A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2005;87:1947-1956.
 
30. Bohsali KI, Wirth MA, Rockwood CA Jr. Complications of total shoulder arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2006;88:2279-2292.
 
31. Denard PJ, Raiss P, Sowa B, et al. Mid- to long-term follow-up of total shoulder arthroplasty using a keeled glenoid in young adults with primary glenohumeral arthritis. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2013;22:894-900.
 
32. Sperling JW, Cofield RH, Rowland CM. Minimum fifteen-year follow-up of Neer hemiarthroplasty and total shoulder arthroplasty in patients aged fifty years or younger. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2004;13:604-613.
 
33. Franklin JL, Barrett WP, Jackins SE, et al. Glenoid loosening in total shoulder arthroplasty. Association with rotator cuff deficiency. J Arthroplasty 1988;3:39-46.
 
34. Gerber C, Pennington SD, Nyffeler RW. Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2009;17:284-295.
 
35. Boileau P, Watkinson D, Hatzidakis AM, et al. Neer Award 2005: the Grammont reverse shoulder prosthesis: results in cuff tear arthritis, fracture sequelae, and revision arthroplasty. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2006;15:527-540.
 
36. Frankle M, Siegal S, Pupello D, et al. The reverse shoulder prosthesis for glenohumeral arthritis associated with severe rotator cuff deficiency. A minimum two-year follow-up study of sixty patients. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2005;87:1697-1705.