A few months of physical therapy after shoulder replacement surgery could help eliminate pain from arthritis.

As arthritis continues to become a more prevalent health issue in our society, the lookout for new sources of relief continues. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 5 American adults have been officially diagnosed with arthritis, and by the year 2030, it is estimated that more than 67 million Americans 18 and older will be affected by the condition. While there are a few medical procedures that are known to help alleviate symptoms of arthritis, one method in particular has been the subject of recent studies.

The Study

Researchers from the Mayo Clinic have analyzed whether or not shoulder replacement surgery can be an effective measure of pain relief for patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Pain and difficulty in range of motion in both the shoulder and the arms are two common symptoms. Sometimes prescribed medication or therapy sessions aren't enough to reduce inflammation. To test their hypothesis, the colleagues studied 303 patients who were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and had recently undergone shoulder replacement surgery. They were analyzed for at least five years to see whether the effects of having a shoulder joint replaced would last.

After five years passed, the researchers evaluated the subjects, discovering that 96 percent of the individuals did not need further arthroplasty performed on their affected shoulders. Furthermore, 93 percent did not require surgery within the next decade after their initial procedures. Six weeks after the surgery was completed, patients were able to drive again, sleep on the bothered shoulder and even participate in recreational activities without experiencing pain.

Dr. John Sperling, a surgeon at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and senior author of the study, expressed how far replacement surgery has come in the past few decades.

"What we've learned from this study is that if people do develop significant pain in their shoulder due to arthritis associated with rheumatoid arthritis, shoulder arthroplasty really is a predictable and reliable operation to help them improve their function and relieve pain," Sperling said in a statement. "Thankfully, the shoulder replacement surgery has really come a long way over the past 20 to 25 years. Typically now it's a one-hour surgery, one night in the hospital and the arm in a little soft sling for six weeks, and all the physical therapy can be done on their own at home."

Rehabilitation Tips for Shoulder Surgery

If you are considering shoulder replacement surgery, you should be aware of what this process entails. After the procedure is completed, and your arm will likely be numb from the administered anesthesia. According to the University of California, San Francisco, total shoulder replacement surgery has a high success rate, with around 90 percent being able to eventually return to their regular daily activities without experiencing any discomfort.

After you have been released from the hospital, your doctor will likely advise you to keep your activities limited so that you can heal properly. When those six weeks are up, you will begin your rehabilitation program, which primarily consists of specific physical exercises that will help rebuild the muscles and joints within your shoulder. Stretches, strength training and endurance tests are common post-op procedures, and after a few months of rehab, you should be able to resume your pre-surgery activities.

To learn about other treatments for arthritis pain:

Ancient Grains to Beat Arthritis
Brew Away Pain
How a Touch of Turmeric Can Tame Arthritis Pain