Non-Surgical Treatment for Shoulder Arthritis

‍Shoulder Pain Doesn’t Have to Mean Surgery

Shoulder arthritis doesn’t just cause pain—it interferes with every aspect of life. Simple movements like reaching into a cabinet, lifting your arm to get dressed, or carrying groceries can become frustrating and painful. Over time, stiffness and loss of range of motion can limit your independence and affect your quality of sleep, activity, and mood.

Many patients are told that joint replacement is their only option—especially when X-rays show “bone-on-bone” wear. But the truth is, surgery isn’t always necessary to find meaningful relief.

At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we take a different approach. Our care philosophy is rooted in conservative-first, minimally invasive treatment that helps reduce inflammation, restore motion, and preserve your natural joint function for as long as possible. We focus on healing, not just replacing.

With advanced therapies and on-site services available at our clinics in Kennesaw, Snellville, Marietta, and Buckhead, we make it easy to explore effective, non-surgical solutions tailored to your shoulder and lifestyle.

What Is Shoulder Arthritis?

Shoulder arthritis occurs when the smooth cartilage that cushions the bones in the shoulder joint begins to wear away, leading to pain, stiffness, and loss of motion. There are two main joints in the shoulder that can be affected:

• Glenohumeral Joint – where the upper arm bone meets the shoulder socket (the "ball-and-socket" joint)
• Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint – where the collarbone meets the tip of the shoulder blade

Over time, the protective cartilage that allows these joints to glide smoothly can break down—causing the bones to rub against each other, a condition often referred to as “bone-on-bone” arthritis.

Types of Shoulder Arthritis:

• Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease): The most common type, typically age-related, where cartilage gradually wears away over time.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: An autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the joint lining, leading to inflammation and joint damage.
• Post-Traumatic Arthritis: Develops after an injury to the shoulder, such as a fracture, dislocation, or rotator cuff tear, even years later.

Common Symptoms Include:

• Dull or aching pain in the front, back, or top of the shoulder
• Stiffness, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity
• Grinding or clicking sounds during movement
• Loss of range of motion, making it difficult to lift, reach, or rotate the arm
• Weakness or discomfort with everyday tasks

As cartilage wears down and inflammation increases, the shoulder becomes less mobile and more painful—but with the right care, surgery isn’t always the next step. Medici focuses on treating these symptoms with non-surgical solutions designed to restore comfort and function naturally.

Why Avoid Shoulder Surgery If You Can?

While shoulder replacement surgery is sometimes necessary for advanced arthritis, it shouldn’t be the first or only option. At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we believe in exploring every non-surgical avenue to relieve pain and restore motion—without the risks and downtime of surgery.

Risks of Shoulder Surgery May Include:

• Infection or blood clots
• Post-surgical stiffness or frozen shoulder
• Prolonged rehabilitation and time off work or activity
• Implant wear or failure, especially in younger, active patients

Even with a technically successful procedure, surgery doesn’t always guarantee full motion or pain relief—and recovery can take months.

Why Non-Surgical Options Make Sense

For many patients, targeted, non-invasive treatments can:

• Reduce inflammation and joint pain
• Improve shoulder strength and range of motion
• Delay or avoid the need for joint replacement
• Support long-term shoulder health with less risk and downtime

At Medici, our mission is simple:

Preserve your shoulder joint for as long as possible—safely, effectively, and with the least invasive means available.

Whether you're newly diagnosed or looking for an alternative to surgery, our team can help guide you toward a smarter, personalized path to relief.

Non-Surgical Treatments for Shoulder Arthritis at Medici

At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we offer a full range of non-surgical options to manage shoulder arthritis—focused on reducing pain, restoring motion, and delaying or avoiding the need for surgery. Our treatments are personalized to your level of arthritis, activity goals, and overall health.

Here are some of the proven therapies available at our Georgia clinics:

Corticosteroid Injections

What it is:
Corticosteroid injections deliver a powerful anti-inflammatory medication directly into the affected shoulder joint.

How it works:
Guided by ultrasound or fluoroscopy, a precise dose of corticosteroid is injected into the joint space, reducing inflammation in the synovial lining and easing pain.

Key Benefits:

• Rapid relief from shoulder pain and stiffness
• Improves mobility, often within days
• Allows patients to begin or progress with physical therapy
• Minimally invasive and performed in-office

Viscosupplementation (Hyaluronic Acid)

What it is:
Viscosupplementation uses hyaluronic acid, a natural joint lubricant, to cushion and hydrate the arthritic shoulder joint.

How it works:
Hyaluronic acid is injected into the joint, where it helps reduce friction between bones and improve the joint’s shock-absorbing capabilities—especially in early to moderate arthritis.

Key Benefits:

• Helps restore smoother movement in stiff or grinding joints
• Reduces discomfort during activity
• May delay joint replacement surgery
• Often used when corticosteroids become less effective

Regenerative Medicine (PRP & Stem Cell Therapy)

What it is:
Regenerative medicine uses your body’s own healing mechanisms to help repair damaged cartilage, reduce inflammation, and slow the progression of arthritis. At Medici, we offer advanced options like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy for eligible patients.

How it works:

• PRP therapy involves concentrating platelets from your blood and injecting them into the shoulder joint to release growth factors that aid healing.
• Stem cell therapy may use bone marrow or fat-derived cells to stimulate tissue regeneration at the cartilage level.

Key Benefits:

• Targets the root cause of degeneration
• Reduces pain and inflammation without steroids
• May help rebuild cartilage and delay surgery
• Natural, minimally invasive, and low-risk

Physical Therapy & Functional Rehab

What it is:
Customized physical therapy focuses on improving shoulder strength, flexibility, and joint mechanics. Functional rehab builds on this by training your body for everyday movements and restoring full shoulder function.

How it works:
Medici therapists design a plan that may include:

• Gentle range-of-motion and stretching exercises
• Strengthening for the rotator cuff and shoulder stabilizers
• Postural correction to reduce joint strain
• Activity-specific rehab to restore daily function

Key Benefits:

• Improves shoulder stability and joint support
• Restores mobility and range of motion
• Reduces pain naturally over time
• Helps prevent further degeneration and supports long-term shoulder health

Myofascial Release & Manual Therapy

What it is:
Myofascial release and manual therapy are hands-on techniques used to reduce tightness and restriction in the muscles, fascia, and connective tissues that surround the shoulder joint.

How it works:
Your provider uses gentle, sustained pressure and soft tissue mobilization to release tension, break up adhesions, and restore more natural movement in the shoulder, neck, and upper back. This therapy is often integrated with physical therapy to enhance results.

Key Benefits:

• Eases muscle tension and nerve irritation
• Improves blood flow and shoulder mobility
• Supports better posture and joint alignment
• Complements other treatments like injections or regenerative care

Medication & Supplement Management

What it is:
At Medici, we guide patients through evidence-based use of medications and natural supplements that help manage shoulder arthritis symptoms and support joint health.

How it works:
Depending on your medical history and goals, your provider may recommend:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Topical analgesics
• Prescription alternatives (if needed)
• Nutraceuticals such as turmeric, omega-3s, glucosamine, or collagen

Key Benefits:

• Reduces chronic inflammation and joint discomfort
• Provides options beyond opioids or corticosteroids
• Promotes long-term joint preservation and function
• Tailored to each patient’s needs and health profile

Take the First Step Toward Shoulder Relief—Without Surgery

You don’t have to live with shoulder pain—or face surgery right away. Let’s explore your non-surgical options together.

At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we believe in helping you feel better with the most effective, least invasive treatments available. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or trying to delay shoulder replacement, our team will work with you to create a personalized plan that relieves pain, restores movement, and helps you stay active—safely and naturally.

📞 Call today: +1-844-328-4624 💻 Schedule online at: https://medicimedicalarts.com

We proudly offer:

• Same-day appointments
• Insurance- and Medicare-friendly care
• Non-surgical shoulder arthritis treatment at locations in Kennesaw, Snellville, Marietta, and Buckhead

Relief starts here—and it doesn’t have to start with surgery.

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