Quick Summary
Shoulder osteoarthritis can make reaching, dressing or sleeping uncomfortable. Symptoms vary, and a scan does not tell us everything about how the joint functions. Our physiotherapists help you understand your options and work towards practical goals with suitable movement, strengthening and hands-on symptom care.
What is Shoulder Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis affects the joint as a whole, including cartilage and surrounding bone. In the main shoulder joint it is called glenohumeral osteoarthritis. This differs from arthritis of the smaller AC joint at the top of the shoulder. Assessment helps distinguish arthritis from frozen shoulder, tendon problems and other causes of stiffness.
Your assessment at J&J Therapy looks at how symptoms affect your day, relevant health history, movement and strength. We explain the findings, agree priorities with you and advise when medical review or imaging would change your care.
Do You Experience These Symptoms?
- Gradually developing shoulder or upper-arm pain and stiffness.
- Reduced ability to rotate or lift the arm.
- Sometimes grinding or clicking, with difficulty in dressing or overhead tasks.
An assessment helps guide your next step, based on your symptoms, health and goals.
Why can it develop?
Age, individual joint factors and previous injury may contribute. Symptoms can fluctuate and do not necessarily progress at a constant rate. Rehabilitation aims to improve capacity and manage discomfort; it does not regrow cartilage or erase scan changes.
Your treatment plan at J&J Therapy
Hands-On Manual Therapy
Gentle mobilisation and soft tissue work may help movement feel easier when suitable. We use these options alongside activity and strengthening, adjusting treatment to how the joint responds.
Is Shockwave Suitable?
Shockwave is not an established routine treatment for shoulder osteoarthritis. It does not regenerate cartilage or reverse joint changes.
Targeted Exercise Programme
Comfortable mobility and progressive shoulder strength can support daily use. We choose achievable exercises and task adaptations, reviewing progress and medical options if pain remains substantially limiting.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Help
While most symptoms are not serious, urgent medical attention is required if you experience any of the following:
- Seek urgent GP advice or contact NHS 111 for sudden severe pain, inability to move the arm, marked swelling, persistent numbness or a hot shoulder with fever.
- After an injury, a changed shoulder shape or sudden loss of strength needs urgent assessment. Do not try to put a dislocated shoulder back yourself.
- Call 999 for shoulder or arm pain with chest pressure, breathlessness, sweating or feeling faint.
Your questions answered
Will exercise wear out the joint faster?
Appropriately chosen activity is usually part of managing osteoarthritis. The load should fit your symptoms and health. We help you find a manageable starting point and adjust it during flare-ups.
When is a shoulder replacement considered?
A specialist may discuss surgery when pain and loss of function remain substantial despite suitable non-surgical care. It is an individual decision based on symptoms, goals and medical assessment, not an X-ray alone.
Which appointment should I book?
Choose a Physiotherapy Initial Assessment to understand this problem and plan your rehabilitation. Soft Tissue Therapy may be considered for associated muscle tension when appropriate; it does not replace assessment of an injury, tendon problem or joint restriction.
Book an appointment at J&J Therapy, ground floor, CI Tower, New Malden. Need help choosing? Call our reception team on 07935 869938.
Sources and further reading
This page is for general information only and does not replace professional medical advice.
Information updated 15 October 2026. General information only; this page does not diagnose your symptoms or replace an individual assessment. Treatment depends on your health, examination and preferences. Use the urgent-care advice above when needed.