Non operative management options for shoulder arthritis are an excellent start, as shoulder arthritis can be much better tolerated than weight bearing joints such as with hip arthritis or knee arthritis. Often someone with shoulder arthritis can go for a long time before needing operative intervention. The modalities below are general for all arthritis, and can be useful when shoulder arthritis is diagnosed.

1. Regular Panadol Osteo – This is the same as regular Panadol (Paracetamol) however the dose per tablet is slightly higher. This means that you should only take up to a maximum of 6 tablets per day rather than the usual 8 for Panadol.
2. Glucosamine and Fish Oil – A large study performed in the USA found that there was a benefit in approximately 2/3rds of patients suffering from pain from osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. This helped to reduce the perceived pain. Glucosamine and Fish oil act as a natural anti-inflammatory and can be a great supplement to your usual medications as the risks are comparatively low. Fish oil has other beneficial effects for the rest of the your body, not just your joints. These agents will never repair cartilage, but can act to prevent inflammation which can be harmful to a joint.
3. Anti-inflammatory medication – Taken in short spurts, this can be a safe and effective method to reduce pain. Anti-inflammatory medication can interact with other medications, so ensure that you check with your doctor first. You should only take this sort of medication on a short burst regimen. A few days on and then a few days off.
4. Physiotherapy – to maintain range of movement and rotator cuff strength.