In daily life, we often do not pay attention to the occasional pain in the body. Only when the pain developed into aching and persistent did we go to the clinic. This approach is fundamentally wrong, as it allows the disease to develop intensively. There are many pathologies of the skeletal system. One of them is osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.
What is shoulder arthrosis
Osteoarthritis deformans of the shoulder joint is a chronic disease associated with degenerative cartilage deficiency.
The disease is prone to the development and severity of dysfunction of the human musculoskeletal system. The influence of pathogenic factors leads to thinning of cartilage, the appearance of cracks and subsequent destruction.
Factors in the occurrence of shoulder arthrosis
There are many reasons for the development of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint. The main ones are:
- vascular disease leading to disruption of proper blood supply to the joints,
- injuries,
- heavy physical load on the shoulder joint,
- metabolic diseases,
- genetic predisposition,
- endocrine system diseases,
- age -related changes in the joints,
- congenital changes
- widespread diseases of the musculoskeletal system,
- autoimmune diseases.
The risk group includes people over the age of 55. This is due to age -related changes in the form of cartilage wear.
Stage of disease progression
Depending on the gradual deterioration of a person's well-being against the background of the course of the disease, the signs of 1, 2, 3 degrees of arthrosis of the shoulder joint are distinguished.
First stage
The early stages are characterized by small changes in the joints, the appearance of pain during movement and weight lifting. This is due to a decrease in the elasticity of cartilage tissue. The mobility of the joints is reduced, as a result, the mobility of the patient's hands is limited.
In the picture, the doctor noted a slight narrowing of the joint space and the appearance of bone growth in the place where the cartilage thinned. With proper treatment, first -degree arthrosis is stopped and the joint is returned to a healthy state.
The second level
If the patient does not pay attention to the symptoms of first -degree arthrosis, the second stage quickly develops, where it is already problematic to restore the structure of the damaged joint tissue.
The second degree has a clearer sign. The articular cavity narrows at least, pain in the scapula and shoulder area increases, becomes normal, crises appear when moving the hand, muscles partially atrophy, osteophytes (bone growth) can be seen on x-rays.
The third level
The last stage is characterized by changes in bone tissue, there are obvious defects, the joints are almost immobile, there is constant pain. Without taking measures to stop the degenerative process in the tissues, there is a high probability for a complete violation of the motor activity of the hand.
Some patients have difficulty in self -care. The stage of the disease under consideration is the most difficult to cure, it requires surgical intervention. Third stage arthrosis of the shoulder joint is very rare. As a rule, it is the result of excessive systemic load on damaged joints (for example, in professional sports).
symptoms
For a long time, arthrosis of the shoulder-scapular joint was asymptomatic. In most cases, the first sign is an acute pain sensation. At the onset of the disease, pain is rare - caused by physical activity, from uncomfortable hand movements.
In the future, the pain increases, begins to appear at night with sudden movements, uncomfortable positions, and then during the day, interferes more frequently and becomes systematic.
If treatment is not started on time, then a feeling of stiffness in movement will accompany the pain. There is a clicking and groaning sound at the shoulder joint. This area is also often swollen, which is accompanied by an increase in temperature throughout the body and in areas of damaged joints. Redness may occur on the skin.
Diagnostics
If you experience pain in the shoulder, contact a doctor who will conduct an initial examination and interview.
For the diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, the following methods are used:
- radiography,
- lab test,
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
- computed tomography (CT),
- ultrasound examination (ultrasound),
- scintigraphy - a method of functional imaging, which consists of introducing radioactive isotopes into the body and obtaining images by determining the radiation emitted by them,
- arthroscopy - a method of visual inspection of the joint cavity with a special optical device (arthroscope),
- thermography is a method of recording infrared radiation of the human body.
Treatment
For many people dealing with the disease in question, the question often arises: is it possible to cure arthrosis of the shoulder joint forever? The therapy of any degenerative disease of the joints aims primarily to relieve symptoms and combat complications of the disease. Complete healing is only possible by replacing the affected joint with an artificial joint.
Depending on the severity of arthrosis and secondary causes of its occurrence, treatment of arthrosis-arthritis of the shoulder joint is prescribed by a rheumatologist (in the early stages), orthopedic or orthopedic traumatologist, surgeon, arthrologist (with advanced forms of arthrosis). This is the main expert.
Help includes: therapists (general practitioners perform treatment if it is not possible to get it from a rheumatologist, orthopedist, surgeon), physiotherapist, radiologist. Which doctor will treat the patient depends on the stage and cause of the disease.
Important! The disease belongs to the number of chronic, so there is no need to talk about complete recovery. So far, no drug will completely cure it.
Effective treatment consists of the following methods.
Medications
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint with drugs reduces the symptoms of the inflammatory process and relieves pain. For this, the following pharmacological groups are used:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Chondroprotectors.
- Painkillers.
- Supply of glucocorticosteroid hormones. It is used as part of ointments and injections into the joints in the treatment of shoulder-scapular arthrosis.
In addition, antibiotics, vitamin and mineral complexes, and other specialized drugs are used for treatment, prescribed by the attending physician, depending on the clinical picture of the patient's disease.
Physiotherapy
Physical exercise aimed at strengthening the shoulder girdle muscles is an important element in the complex treatment of arthrosis of the shoulder joint. Exercise is performed at the end of the inflammatory process, during the remission period.
Physiotherapy helps restore the joint, its mobility, stop the progression of the disease, strengthen the affected apparatus, and reduce pain.
Before starting gymnastics, prepare the muscles for the next load by warming up and stretching. The simple training complex includes the following exercises:
- In a sitting position, take one hand behind your back, the other - from the side of the waist, stretching. Put your hands on your knees and relax. Do it slowly.
- Shrug alternately and simultaneously. Do it 10 times.
- Shoulder movements forward and backward, alternating and simultaneous. Run 10 times.
- In a sitting position, hang your arms and relax. Perform forward and backward swinging movements without bending at the elbows. Repeat 10 times with each hand.
Especially popular is the author's method of treatment of arthrosis. This exercise therapy is done in a specialized center, but it is easily done at home.
The hallmark of physical exercises is that their focus is on restoring the entire musculoskeletal system, and not just the movement of individual joints.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is included in the complex of measures for the treatment of deformed arthrosis. It is effective in the early stages of the disease. Medication and physiotherapy for coxarthrosis, arthrosis of the shoulder joint is prescribed by a doctor after examination and diagnosis.
Physiotherapy treatments include:
- ultraviolet radiation,
- UHF therapy,
- magnetotherapy,
- ultrasound therapy,
- amplipulse therapy,
- therapeutic baths,
- healing mud.
Surgery
When continued therapeutic measures do not bring positive dynamics and the disease progresses, surgical intervention is prescribed.
The following types of operations are possible:
- Shoulder joint puncture is a minimally invasive method that allows you to remove inflammatory fluid from the joint cavity and introduce medication there.
- Arthroscopy is performed using a video camera by puncturing the articular area. This treatment option relieves symptoms without requiring a long recovery period after surgery.
- Endoprosthetics - the replacement of damaged joint areas with artificial elements.
Restoration of the people
In the treatment of deformed arthrosis, folk remedies are popular and widely used at home. However, remember that alternative treatments should be used in addition to primary drug therapy.
The following herbal recipes are effective:
- Elecampane tincture to grind. Stimulates the circulatory process, relieves pain. To prepare it, 100 g of dried roots of the plant is infused with 250 ml of vodka and rubbed into the affected area no more than five times a day.
- Compressed oatmeal. Reducing pain syndrome. It is prepared as follows: a tablespoon full of oatmeal is poured into 500 ml of water, baked and boiled for about 10 minutes. The prepared mass is cooled to a skin -resistant temperature and applied on gauze. Such compresses are applied to the affected joint for one to two hours.
- Compressed salt. Slows down the inflammatory process. Method of preparation: dissolve 50 g of salt in two glasses of water. Dip a piece of gauze into the prepared solution for three hours, then squeeze, heat and apply on the sore joint until the bandage is completely cool.
prevention
To prevent the onset and subsequent development of arthrosis of the shoulder joint, it is important to follow simple rules for disease prevention. This includes:
- maintain an active lifestyle,
- used to walk a long way
- exercise training, gymnastics, yoga,
- giving up bad habits (smoking, alcohol),
- cold and hot showers,
- swim,
- weight control,
- proper nutrition,
- timely and thorough treatment,
- avoid injury, excessive physical effort, hypothermia.
Conclusion
Deformation of arthrosis of the shoulder joint significantly affects a person’s quality of life, reduces the mobility of the musculoskeletal system and causes discomfort with increased pain. The disease cannot be completely cured, but the use of a full range of therapeutic and preventive measures with a high degree of probability makes it possible to keep the disease in remission.
The outcome of the arising joint pathology depends entirely on the person, his willingness to regularly engage in therapeutic exercises, and adhere to preventive measures. A person with this diagnosis may live a full life.