Shoulder Osteoarthritis Treatment When No Contraindications or Intolerances to NSAIDs Are Present
This protocol covers patients with shoulder osteoarthritis who have no contraindications or intolerances to NSAIDs — a subgroup in which the full range of pharmacologic options remains available.
Clinical Scenario
The patient has shoulder osteoarthritis with no contraindications and no intolerances to NSAIDs. NSAIDs are among the most recommended pharmacologic agents for osteoarthritis; oral formulations are appropriate here, as there are no conditions precluding their use. Topical NSAID formulations, however, are not suitable for a deep joint such as the shoulder.
Treatment Approach (partial overview)
The structured regimen for this scenario includes consideration of intra-articular injection into the shoulder joint as part of the management plan. The complete sequence of interventions, specific agents, and criteria for each step are detailed in the full protocol.
Full regimen — including all options, sequencing, and clinical decision points — is available via the link below.
References
Oral and topical NSAIDs are the pharmacologic agents most recommended for OA, though oral formulations should be avoided in those with contraindications and intolerances, and topical formulations are not appropriate for a deep joint such as the hip.
IACS may be considered, whereas other intra-articular therapies were generally not recommended, or in the case of IAHA, only to be considered if other therapies have failed.
DOI: 10.1016/j.rdc.2022.03.009.
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