Shoulder Cartilage and Osteoarthritis

The glenoid cavity and humeral articular surface are composed of hyaline cartilage. Glenohumeral joint degeneration is similar to osteoarthritis of other joints. It is the third most common joint affected by degenerative diseases, after the knee and hip joints. Glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis (GHJ-OA) is a progressive, degenerative disease of the capsular and bone structures of the joint, particularly of the glenohumeral joint articular cartilage. After osteoarthritis, it leads to osteophyte formation, which results in subchondral sclerosis, labral lesions, loose bodies, articular cartilage defects, and capsular thickening in the joint. The prevalence of this condition increases gradually over the age of 45 in men and above the age of 55 in women, whereas its prevalence is 32.8% in both sexes above the age of 60. The incidence of GHJ-OA is high in women and increases between the ages of 60 and 70. It may also occur in patients with shoulder instability in the age group of 30–40 years. Several surgical options are available to manage primary GHJ-OA, including simple arthroscopic joint debridement and more complex techniques such as resurfacing using fascia lata or meniscus transplantation, osteochondral autologous transplantation, resurfacing arthroplasty, and total arthroplasty. If detected at an early stage, minor joint injuries can be treated non-operatively. Further research is needed to determine treatment modalities that provide the best long-term results for shoulder cartilage pathologies. With regard to GHJ-OA, the aims of treatment are to relieve pain, restore function, and delay the need for arthroplasty.