How Does Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Affect Your Shoulders?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic inflammatory disease, can affect many different joints, including the shoulders. Here are the ways in which RA commonly impacts the shoulders:

1. Joint Pain and Stiffness: One of the primary symptoms of RA is pain and stiffness in the joints. The shoulder joints can be severely affected, leading to discomfort when raising the arms, reaching overhead, or performing daily activities involving the shoulders.

2. Inflammation and Swelling: The inflammation caused by RA can also affect the tissues surrounding the shoulder joint, leading to swelling. This can cause further pain and restricted movement.

3. Reduced Range of Motion: As the pain and inflammation progress, the range of motion in the shoulder joint can become limited. Simple movements like combing your hair, getting dressed, or reaching behind your back may become challenging due to stiffness and discomfort.

4. Joint Damage and Deformity: Chronic inflammation can cause damage to the cartilage, ligaments, and bones of the shoulder joint. Over time, this damage may lead to deformities, such as a hunched posture, or dislocation of the shoulder.

5. Shoulder Bursitis: RA can also lead to bursitis, which is inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that helps to reduce friction between the shoulder joint and surrounding tissues. Shoulder bursitis can add further pain and disability.

6. Rotator Cuff Tendonitis: Inflammation and damage from RA can also affect the rotator cuff tendons, which are responsible for stabilizing the shoulder joint. Rotator cuff tendonitis can lead to pain, weakness, and difficulty moving the shoulder.

7. Instability: In severe cases of RA, the joint damage can lead to instability of the shoulder joint, making it more prone to dislocation or subluxation (partial dislocation).

8. Secondary Osteoarthritis: Over time, the damage caused by RA can lead to the development of secondary osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that causes further cartilage loss and bone damage in the shoulder.

It's essential for individuals with RA to receive proper medical care and treatment, including physical therapy, medications, lifestyle modifications, and sometimes surgery, to manage shoulder symptoms and prevent or minimize joint damage.