From Injections to Replacement · Salt Lake City · Park City · Heber City
Shoulder Arthritis Treatment in Salt Lake City & Park City, Utah
Shoulder arthritis is the gradual loss of the smooth cartilage that lets the ball glide in the socket. As it wears away, the joint stiffens, grinds, and aches, first with activity and eventually at rest and at night. Dr. Hatch treats every stage of shoulder arthritis, starting with nonsurgical care and moving to total or reverse shoulder replacement only when the joint needs it.
Types of Shoulder Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis, wear-and-tear arthritis that develops with age and years of use, the most common form
- Rotator cuff tear arthropathy, arthritis that develops after a large, long-standing rotator cuff tear allows the ball to ride up out of the socket
- Post-traumatic arthritis following a fracture, dislocation, or prior surgery
- Inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis
- Avascular necrosis, in which loss of blood supply causes the bone beneath the cartilage to collapse
Symptoms
Arthritis pain is typically felt deep in the shoulder and may radiate down the arm. Patients describe grinding, clicking, or catching with motion, progressive loss of range of motion (especially rotating the arm outward), difficulty sleeping on the affected side, and trouble with reaching, dressing, and overhead tasks. X-rays usually confirm the diagnosis; a CT scan may be ordered to assess bone loss and plan treatment.
Nonsurgical Treatment
Dr. Hatch begins with treatments that reduce pain and keep the shoulder moving:
- Activity modification and a home exercise program to maintain motion
- Physical therapy focused on flexibility and rotator cuff strength
- Anti-inflammatory medication when appropriate
- Corticosteroid injections to calm painful flares
- Heat, ice, and sleep positioning strategies
For many patients these measures provide meaningful relief for years. Dr. Hatch is candid about what each option can and cannot do, and he does not recommend surgery until conservative care has been given a fair chance.
When Surgery Becomes the Right Choice
When pain and stiffness persist despite good nonsurgical care and begin to take away sleep, work, and the activities you love, shoulder replacement may be the option most likely to help. Which replacement is right depends on your rotator cuff and bone:
In select younger patients with early arthritis, arthroscopic debridement may be considered to buy time, though it does not cure arthritis. Dr. Hatch will explain where you are on the spectrum and what each path realistically offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can shoulder arthritis be cured without surgery?
Arthritis cannot be reversed, but its symptoms can often be managed for years with therapy, activity changes, medication, and injections. Replacement is reserved for shoulders that no longer respond.
How do I know when it is time for a shoulder replacement?
When pain interrupts sleep, limits dressing and daily activities, and no longer responds to nonsurgical care, it is reasonable to discuss replacement. An exam and imaging with Dr. Hatch can help determine whether you are a candidate.
Does Dr. Hatch offer injections for shoulder arthritis?
Yes. Corticosteroid injections are offered at the Park City, Heber City, and Salt Lake City offices when appropriate.
Find Out Where Your Shoulder Stands
Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Hatch to review your imaging and every option for your shoulder arthritis, nonsurgical and surgical.