Shoulder Arthritis Treatment in Boston
Dr. Robert E. McLaughlin II, MD treats shoulder arthritis with injections and surgery, including total shoulder replacement. Same-day or next-day appointments at four Massachusetts offices.
Call 978-969-3624
What is shoulder arthritis, and how is it treated?
Shoulder arthritis is the breakdown of cartilage in the shoulder joint. The most common type is osteoarthritis, which causes pain, stiffness, and loss of motion. Rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis can also affect the shoulder. Arthritis can affect the main ball-and-socket joint (the glenohumeral joint) or the smaller acromioclavicular (AC) joint at the top of the shoulder. Osteoarthritis most often develops with age as cartilage wears down. Post-traumatic arthritis can follow an earlier shoulder injury.
Dr. McLaughlin treats shoulder arthritis with a range of options, from injections and physical therapy to total shoulder replacement. He discusses all treatment options with each patient and develops a plan based on the degree of arthritis and the patient’s goals.
Call 978-969-3624 for a same-day or next-day evaluation at any of our four offices.
Robert E. McLaughlin II, MD is a board-certified Orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in sports medicine, named a Boston Magazine Top Doctor in 2025 and 2026. He sees every patient himself.
- Condition Shoulder osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, post-traumatic
- Non-surgical Cortisone, PRP, gel injections, physical therapy
- Surgical Total shoulder replacement available
- Surgery location Beverly Hospital (Lahey) and New England Surgery Center
- Appointments Same-day or next-day at four offices
Shoulder arthritis treatment options
Dr. McLaughlin tailors the treatment plan to each patient’s level of arthritis and goals for activity. For milder symptoms, rest, activity changes, heat or ice, and anti-inflammatory medicine can ease pain.
Cortisone injections
Cortisone injections can reduce pain and inflammation in the arthritic shoulder joint.
Learn more →PRP injections
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections use growth factors from the patient’s own blood to support joint health. PRP injections are $750 per injection at Boston Concierge Orthopedics.
Learn more →Gel injections
Gel injections (viscosupplementation) add lubrication to the shoulder joint and can reduce pain from arthritis.
Learn more →Shoulder replacement
When conservative treatment is no longer effective, total shoulder replacement may be appropriate. Surgery is performed at Beverly Hospital (Lahey) and New England Surgery Center in Beverly.
Learn more →Signs of shoulder arthritis
Shoulder arthritis usually starts slowly. Common signs are a deep ache in the shoulder, pain that gets worse with activity, stiffness that makes it hard to reach overhead or behind the back, and a grinding or clicking feeling when the arm moves. Stiffness is often worse in the morning, and the shoulder may swell. Many people notice pain at night, especially when lying on the affected side. If shoulder pain is limiting sleep, work, or daily tasks, an Orthopedic evaluation can find the cause and the right treatment.
What happens at your first visit
Every patient at Boston Concierge Orthopedics is seen by Dr. McLaughlin himself, not a physician assistant. He examines the shoulder, reviews your symptoms and goals, and explains the options in plain terms. X-rays show how much cartilage has worn and are usually the first imaging test for shoulder arthritis. Treatment can often begin at the first visit. If imaging or physical therapy is needed, expedited MRI and physical therapy options are available. Same-day or next-day appointments are available at all four offices: call 978-969-3624.
Shoulder arthritis questions
What is shoulder arthritis?
Shoulder arthritis is the breakdown of cartilage in the shoulder joint. The most common type is osteoarthritis, which causes pain, stiffness, and loss of motion. Rheumatoid arthritis and post-traumatic arthritis can also affect the shoulder.
How is shoulder arthritis treated?
Shoulder arthritis can be treated with cortisone injections, PRP injections, gel injections (viscosupplementation), physical therapy, and activity modification. When conservative treatment is no longer effective, shoulder replacement may be appropriate.
Does Dr. McLaughlin perform shoulder replacement for arthritis?
Yes. Dr. McLaughlin performs total shoulder replacement for patients with shoulder arthritis when other treatments have not provided sufficient relief. Surgery is performed at Beverly Hospital (Lahey) and New England Surgery Center in Beverly.
Do I need surgery for shoulder arthritis?
Not always. Many patients manage shoulder arthritis with injections, physical therapy, and activity changes. Dr. McLaughlin discusses all treatment options with each patient, and total shoulder replacement is considered when other treatments no longer give enough relief.
Shoulder arthritis care at all four offices
One phone number for every office: 978-969-3624. Phones are answered Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM.
Boston
115 Newbury Street5th Floor
Boston, MA 02116Monday–Friday 8 AM–5 PMOffice details →Get directions
Norwood
520 Boston Providence Tpk.Suite 14
Norwood, MA 02062Monday–Friday 8 AM–5 PMOffice details →Get directions
Beverly
900 Cummings CenterSuite 221U
Beverly, MA 01915Monday–Friday 8 AM–5 PMOffice details →Get directions