In everyday life, we often do not attach importance to the occasional pain sensations in the body. We only go to the clinic when the pain becomes aching and permanent. This approach is fundamentally wrong because it allows the disease to progress intensively. The skeletal system has many pathologies. One is arthrosis of the shoulder joint.
What is shoulder joint arthrosis
Shoulder joint deformant osteoarthritis is a chronic disease associated with degenerative cartilage depletion.
The disease is prone to progression and exacerbation of functional disorders of the human musculoskeletal system. The effect of pathogenic factors leads to thinning of the cartilage, the appearance of cracks and their subsequent destruction.
Factors in the incidence of shoulder arthrosis
There are several causes of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint. The main ones are:
- vascular diseases that lead to disruption of the proper blood supply to the joint,
- injury,
- high physical load on the shoulder joint,
- metabolic disease,
- genetic predisposition,
- diseases of the endocrine system,
- age-related changes in the joints,
- innate changes
- extensive diseases of the musculoskeletal system,
- autoimmune disease.
The risk group includes those over 55 years of age. This is due to age-related changes in cartilage wear.
Degree of development of the disease
Depending on the gradual deterioration of human well-being, we distinguish signs of grade 1, 2, or 3 arthrosis of the shoulder joint in the background of the course of the disease.
First phase
The initial stage is characterized by minor changes in the joint, the appearance of pain during movement and weight lifting. This is due to a decrease in the elasticity of the cartilage tissue. The maneuverability of the joint is reduced, resulting in limited mobility of the patient's hands.
In the images, the doctor notices a slight narrowing of the joint gap and the appearance of bone growths where the cartilage becomes thinner. With proper treatment, the first degree of arthrosis will stop and the joint will be healthy.
Second stage
If the patient does not pay attention to the symptoms of first-degree arthrosis, second-degree progress is rapid, in which it is already problematic to restore the disrupted structure of joint tissue.
The second degree has more pronounced signs. The joint cavity narrows to a minimum, the pain in the shoulder and shoulder area increases, it becomes regular, the hand cracks when the hand is moved, the osteophytes (bone outgrowths) are visible on the x-rays.
Third stage
The last stage is characterized by changes in the bone tissue, pronounced deformity, almost immobilization of the joint, constant pain. Without taking measures to stop the degenerative process in the tissues, there is a high probability of complete impairment of the motor activity of the hand.
Some patients have difficulty self-care. The extent of the disease under study is the most difficult to treat and requires surgery. The third stage of arthrosis of the shoulder joint is extremely rare. This is usually the result of excessive systemic strain on the injured joint (e. g. in professional sports).
Symptoms
Arthrosis of the scapular shoulder joint is asymptomatic for a long time. In most cases, the first sign is acute pain. At the onset of the disease, pain is rare - due to physical activity, uncomfortable hand movements.
In the future, the pains will increase, with sudden movements at night, an uncomfortable posture, and then become more and more confusing and systematic during the day.
If treatment is not started in time, the feeling of stiffness in the movements is associated with pain. Clicks and crackles are heard in the shoulder joint. This area often swells, which results in an increase in the temperature of the entire body and an increase in the area of the damaged joint. Redness of the skin may occur.
Diagnostics
If you feel pain in your shoulder area, see a doctor who will perform the first examination and interview.
The following methods are used to diagnose osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint:
- radiography,
- laboratory tests,
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
- computed tomography (CT),
- ultrasound examination (ultrasound),
- scintigraphy - a functional imaging method consisting of the introduction of radioactive isotopes into the body and the taking of an image by determining the radiation they emit,
- arthroscopy - a method of visual examination of the joint cavity with a special optical device (arthroscope),
- Thermography is a method of capturing infrared radiation from the human body.
Treatment
For many people who face the disease in question, the question often arises: is it possible to cure shoulder arthrosis forever? Therapy for degenerative diseases of the joints is primarily aimed at relieving the symptoms and overcoming the complications of the disease. Complete healing is only possible if the affected joint is replaced with an artificial one.
Depending on the severity of the arthrosis and the secondary causes of its occurrence, the treatment of arthrosis arthritis of the shoulder joint is prescribed by a rheumatologist (in the initial stage), an orthopedic or orthopedic traumatologist, a surgeon, an arthrologist (collectively). advanced forms of arthrosis). These are the main experts.
Accessories: therapist (treatment is performed by a generalist, if not possible 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 is chronic, so there is no need to talk about a complete cure. So far, there is no drug that would completely cure it.
Effective treatment consists of the following methods.
Medicines
Medication for osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint reduces the symptoms of inflammatory processes and relieves pain. The following pharmacological groups are used for this purpose:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Chondroprotectors.
- Analgesics.
- Glucocorticosteroid hormone preparations. It is used as part of ointments and injections into the joint to treat shoulder arthrosis.
In addition, antibiotics, vitamins and mineral complexes, as well as other specific medications prescribed by the attending physician, are used for treatment, depending on the clinical picture of the patient's disease.
Physiotherapy
Physical exercises to strengthen the muscles of the shoulder girdle are an integral part of the complex treatment of arthrosis of the shoulder joint. The exercises are performed at the end of the inflammatory process, during the remission period.
Physiotherapy helps to restore the joint, mobility, stops the progression of the disease, strengthens the affected apparatus, reduces pain.
Prepare your muscles for the next load by warming up and stretching before you start your workout. A simple training complex includes the following exercises:
- In a sitting position, take one hand behind your back and the other - from the side of your waist, stretch it. Put your hand on your knee and relax. Execute slowly.
- Alternating and simultaneous lifting of the shoulders. Perform 10 times.
- The movement of the shoulders back and forth, alternately and simultaneously. Run 10 times.
- Put your arms down in a sitting position and relax. Make a swinging motion back and forth without bending your elbows. Repeat 10 times with each hand.
The author's methods of treating arthrosis are particularly popular. This hands-on therapy is done in specialized centers, but can also be done easily at home.
Physical exercises are characterized by a focus on restoring the entire musculoskeletal system, not just the mobility of individual joints.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is part of a complex of measures to treat deforming arthrosis. It is effective in the early stages of the disease. Medications and physiotherapy for the treatment of coxarthrosis, shoulder joint arthrosis, are prescribed by your doctor after the test and diagnosis have been made.
Physiotherapy includes:
- ultraviolet radiation,
- UHF therapy,
- magnetic therapy,
- ultrasound therapy,
- amplipulse therapy,
- spas,
- healing mud.
Surgery
If ongoing therapeutic interventions have not brought positive dynamics and the disease is progressing, surgery is prescribed.
The following types of operations are possible:
- Puncture of the shoulder joint is a minimally invasive method that allows inflammatory fluid to be removed from the joint cavity and drug is introduced into it.
- Arthroscopy is done with a video camera, piercing the joint area. This treatment option relieves symptoms without requiring a long recovery period after surgery.
- Endoprosthetics - replacement of damaged areas of the joint with artificial elements.
Folk remedies
In the treatment of deforming arthrosis, folk remedies are popular and widely used at home. Keep in mind, however, that alternative therapies should be used in addition to the main drug therapy.
The following herbal recipes are effective:
- Elecampane tincture for grinding. Stimulates blood circulation processes, relieves pain. To prepare it, 100 g of dry plant root is infused with 250 ml of vodka and applied to the affected area up to five times a day.
- Oatmeal compress. Reduces pain syndrome. Prepare as follows: a whole tablespoon of oatmeal is poured into 500 ml of water, put on fire and boiled for about 10 minutes. The prepared mass is cooled to a skin-tolerant temperature and lubricated with gauze. Such compression is applied to the affected joint for one to two hours.
- Salty compress. 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 out, heat and apply to the sore joint until the dressing has completely cooled down.
Prevention
In order to prevent the development and subsequent progression of shoulder joint arthrosis, it is important to follow simple rules for preventing the disease. These include:
- maintaining an active lifestyle,
- regular long walks
- workout exercises, gymnastics, yoga,
- giving up bad habits (smoking, alcohol),
- hot and cold shower,
- swimming,
- Weight control,
- proper nutrition,
- timely and thorough treatment,
- avoidance of injuries, excessive physical exertion, hypothermia.
Conclusion
Deforming arthrosis of the shoulder joint significantly impairs a person's quality of life, reduces the mobility of the musculoskeletal system and causes discomfort with increasing pain. The disease cannot be completely cured, but the full range of therapeutic and preventive measures is likely to keep the disease in remission.
The outcome of the developed joint pathology depends entirely on the person, he is ready to take part in therapeutic exercises regularly and to follow the preventive measures. A person with such a diagnosis can live a full life.