Sports and Joint Injuries

Glenohumeral Degenerative Arthropathy / Shoulder Osteoarthritis

Glenohumeral degenerative arthropathy, also known as shoulder osteoarthritis, is a degenerative disease characterized by the progressive wear and tear of the cartilage in the glenohumeral joint, causing pain, stiffness, and limited shoulder function. It is a common condition in middle-aged and older patients, although it can also appear earlier in life following trauma, previous surgeries, chronic instability, mechanical overload, or rotator cuff injuries.

Joint degeneration produces a progressive deterioration of the joint surfaces, synovial inflammation, osteophyte formation, and loss of mobility, significantly affecting the patient’s quality of life and functional capacity in daily and work activities.

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Most frequent symptoms

Glenohumeral osteoarthritis can manifest with:

Mechanical pain in the shoulder, usually progressive
Nighttime pain and difficulty sleeping on the affected side
Stiffness and loss of mobility
Limited ability to raise or rotate the arm
Sensation of crepitus or joint rubbing
Loss of strength and functionality
Difficulty performing everyday activities such as dressing, combing hair, or lifting objects

In advanced stages, the pain can become constant and be accompanied by a marked functional limitation.

Specialized diagnosis

Diagnosis requires a detailed clinical assessment along with imaging studies aimed at identifying the degree of joint degeneration and possible associated injuries.

Specialized treatment of glenohumeral degenerative arthropathy

Treatment depends on the degree of degeneration, the intensity of the pain, and the patient’s functional status. At Clínica Vertebra, we take a comprehensive and personalized approach aimed at reducing pain, improving mobility, and preserving joint function through advanced and minimally invasive techniques.

Therapeutic options may include:

Medical treatment and pain management
Rehabilitation and specialized physiotherapy
Biological Therapies and Regenerative Medicine
Ultrasound-guided intra-articular infiltrative treatments
Viscosupplementation
Radiofrequency for chronic joint pain
Ultrasound-guided and percutaneous interventional techniques

In selected patients, regenerative treatments can help modulate inflammation, improve the joint biological environment, and decrease the symptomatic progression of the disease.

At VERTEBRA SpinePain & Regenerative SURGERY CENTERS we have advanced experience in the diagnosis and interventional treatment of osteoarticular and degenerative shoulder pain, using high-precision image-guided techniques and personalized protocols adapted to each patient.

Our goal is to offer effective, safe and minimally invasive therapeutic alternatives that improve pain, restore functionality and optimize quality of life, avoiding, when possible, more aggressive surgical procedures.