The different types of arthritis affect everyone differently. In some people, their arthritis progresses rapidly, with severe symptoms. This requires aggressive management of the disease.

Fortunately, the development of new medications and innovations in joint preserving or joint replacement procedures are continuing.

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Sometimes the rubbery outer layer of the articular cartilage (def.)Cartilage (also, Articular Cartilage) Cartilage is the rubbery, fibrous connective tissue found between bones. It allows joints to move smoothly. that covers the ends of your bones deteriorates. The result is called osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis affects the entire joint — causing cartilage loss, bone damage, formation of bone spurs (def.)Bone Spurs Bone spurs (osteophytes) are abnormal accumulations of bone that occur when normally protective cartilage is missing, allowing bones to touch each other. Bone spurs also can occur where tendon/ligaments and bones meet., and soft tissue inflammation. Your cartilage loses its ability to absorb shocks and repair itself.

Arthritis is the loss or damage of joint (articular) cartilage (def.)Cartilage (also, Articular Cartilage) Cartilage is the rubbery, fibrous connective tissue found between bones. It allows joints to move smoothly.. Cartilage is a smooth, shiny surface that covers the ends of your bones. Normally, when cartilage rubs together, you have smooth and painless motion. When your cartilage degenerates, however, you can suffer from pain and limitation of motion.When you have arthritis, your soft tissues — the muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounding and supporting the joint — can also become weak and unable to function.

There also are other, less common, forms of arthritis that can affect the shoulder. Septic arthritis can result from infection from bacteria, viruses or other microorganisms. It also is associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Avascular necrosis (osteonecrosis) develops when the blood supply to the bone is disrupted and the bone begins to die. Both forms of arthritis can result from injury, fracture, or other nontraumatic causes.

This type of arthritis can occur at any age and can be caused by an accident (trauma) or by shoulder surgery that was performed as a treatment for dislocation (instability). The arthritis may occur relatively soon — or years after the original injury.

There are several types of inflammatory arthritis; the most common include rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. These chronic (ongoing) diseases occur as the result of inflammation of the lining (synovium (def.)Synovium Your shoulder joints are held together by a "capsule" of tissues and ligaments. The innermost tissue of the capsule is a membrane called the synovium.) of your joints. This inflammation is called synovitis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive disease:

Arthritis can be caused by several factors, depending on the form it takes and what area within the shoulder is affected. Three main types of arthritis generally affect the shoulder:

• Osteoarthritis — Wear-and-tear arthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis — Inflammation of the joints
• Posttraumatic arthritis — Arthritis resulting from an injury

The shoulder joints most commonly affected are: