Dr. Sean C. Adelman, MD

Shoulder arthritis is a very common condition that causes pain, stiffness, or a grinding sensation in the shoulder. Some patients may hear a clicking or popping noise, and all symptoms are more noticeable when moving. Arthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions joints becomes damaged.

Normally, when two bones come together inside a joint, they are separated by a layer of tough, smooth cartilage. The cartilage allows the bones to glide across each other, which makes movement easier. Cartilage can be damaged by an injury, by an illness such as rheumatoid arthritis, or by simple wear and tear (osteoarthritis). In the shoulder, the two joints most commonly affected are the AC joint (where the shoulder blade and collarbone connect at the outside edge of the shoulder), and the glenohumeral joint (where the arm bone meets the shoulder blade).

Treatment for shoulder arthritis may include:

• Ice and rest
• Exercise and physical therapy
• Over-the-counter pain medications
• Corticosteroid injections
• Surgery

"Trigger finger," or stenosing tenosynovitis, is a condition where the tendons at the base of a finger become irritated and swollen. They may develop small lumps similar to scar tissue. As the swollen, bumpy tendons pass through their sheath, a tunnel of connective tissue that holds them in place, they become stuck. The finger gets frozen in a bent, curled position. If forced, the finger can be straightened. When this happens, the stuck tendons slip through all at once, often causing a popping or clicking noise. Many cases of trigger finger respond well to non-surgical treatments such as NSAIDs, splints, or injected steroids. However, in severe cases, surgery may be necessary.