In everyday life, we often do not give importance to occasional pain sensations in the body. It is only when the pain becomes painful and constant that we go to the clinic. This approach is fundamentally wrong, because it allows the disease to progress intensively. There are many pathologies of the skeletal system. One of them is arthrosis of the shoulder joint.
What is osteoarthritis of the shoulder
Deforming osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is a chronic disease associated with degenerative cartilage depletion.
The disease is prone to progression and aggravation of functional disorders of the human musculoskeletal system. The influence of pathogenic factors leads to thinning of the cartilage, the appearance of cracks and its subsequent destruction.
Factors of occurrence of osteoarthritis of the shoulder
There are many reasons for the development of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint. The main ones are:
- vascular diseases leading to disruption of the proper blood supply to the joint,
- injury,
- strong physical load on the shoulder joint,
- metabolic disease,
- genetic predisposition,
- diseases of the endocrine system,
- age-related changes in the joint,
- congenital changes
- extensive 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.
The degree of development of the disease
Depending on the gradual deterioration of a person's well-being against the background of the course of the disease, signs of 1, 2, 3 degrees of arthrosis of the shoulder joint are distinguished.
First stage
The initial phase 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, therefore, the mobility of the patient's hands is limited.
In the photos, the doctor notes a slight narrowing of the joint space and the appearance of bony growths in places where the cartilage is thinning. With the right treatment, first degree osteoarthritis is stopped and the joint returns to a healthy state.
Second step
If the patient did not pay attention to the symptoms of arthrosis of the first degree, then the second degree rapidly progresses, in which it is already problematic to restore the disturbed structure of the joint tissues.
The second degree has more pronounced signs. The joint cavity narrows to a minimum, the pain in the region of the scapula and shoulder increases, becomes regular, a creak appears when moving the hand, the muscles partially atrophy, osteophytes (bone growths)are visible on radiographs.
Third step
The last stage is characterized by changes in bone tissues, there is a pronounced deformation, the joint is almost immobilized, there is constant pain. Without taking measures to stop the degenerative process in the tissues, there is a high probability of a complete violation of the motor activity of the hand.
Some patients find it difficult to take care of themselves. The degree of the disease under consideration is the most difficult to cure, it requires surgical intervention. The third stage of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is extremely rare. As a rule, it becomes the result of excessive systemic loads on the damaged joint (for example, in professional sports).
Symptoms
For a long time, arthrosis of the scapular-shoulder joint is asymptomatic. In most cases, the first sign is a feeling of sharp pain. At the onset of the disease, pain occurs rarely - due to physical activity, uncomfortable movements of the hands.
In the future, the pains increase, begin to appear at night with sudden movements, an uncomfortable position, then during the day, bothering more often and becoming systematic.
If the treatment is not started in time, a feeling of stiffness in the movements will join the pain. There are clicks and pops in the shoulder joint. This area also often swells, which is accompanied by an increase in the temperature of the whole body and the area of the damaged joint. Redness may appear on the skin.
Diagnostic
If you experience pain in the shoulder area, contact a doctor for an initial examination and interview.
For the diagnosis of arthrosis of the shoulder joint, the following methods are used:
- x-ray,
- laboratory tests,
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
- computed tomography (CT),
- ultrasound examination (ultrasound),
- scintigraphy - a method of functional imaging, which consists in introducing radioactive isotopes into the body and obtaining an image by determining the radiation emitted by them,
- arthroscopy - a method of visual examination of the joint cavity with a special optical device (arthroscope),
- thermography is a method of recording infrared radiation from the human body.
Processing
For many people faced with the disease in question, the question often arises: is it possible to cure arthrosis of the shoulder permanently? Treatment of any degenerative joint disease is primarily aimed at relieving the symptoms and dealing with the complications of the disease. Full recovery is only possible by replacing the affected joint with an artificial joint.
Depending on the severity of arthrosis and the secondary causes of its occurrence, the treatment of arthrosis-arthritis of the shoulder joint is prescribed by a rheumatologist (at the initial stage), an orthopedist or an orthopedic traumatologist, a surgeon, an arthrologist (with advanced forms of osteoarthritis). They are the main experts.
Auxiliaries include: a therapist (a general practitioner conducts treatment if it is not possible to get it from a rheumatologist, orthopedist, surgeon), physiotherapist, radiologist. The doctor who 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 a complete cure. So far, no medicine would cure her completely.
Effective treatment includes the following methods.
Medications
Treatment of arthrosis of the shoulder joint with drugs reduces the symptoms of inflammatory processes and relieves pain. For this, the following pharmacological groups are used:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Chondroprotectors.
- Analgesics.
- Glucocorticosteroid hormonal preparations. They are used as part of ointments and injections into the joint in the treatment of scapular arthrosis of the shoulder.
Also, antibiotics, vitamins and mineral complexes, as well as other specific drugs are used for treatment, which are prescribed by the attending physician, depending on the clinical picture of the patient's disease.
Physiotherapy
Physical exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles of the shoulder girdle are an integral part of the complex treatment of arthrosis of the shoulder joint. Exercises are performed at the end of the inflammatory process, during the period of remission.
Physiotherapy helps restore the joint, its mobility, stops the progression of the disease, strengthens the affected apparatus and reduces pain.
Before starting gymnastics, prepare the muscles for the upcoming loads by warming up and stretching. A 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, stretch. Put your hands on your knees and relax. Perform slowly.
- Alternate and simultaneous elevation of the shoulders. Perform 10 times.
- Movement of the shoulders forwards and backwards, alternately and simultaneously. Run 10 times.
- In a seated position, hang your arm and relax. Rock back and forth without bending your elbow. Repeat 10 times with each hand.
The author's methods of treating arthrosis are especially popular. This exercise therapy is practiced in specialized centers, but it is easy to do at home.
A feature of physical exercises is that they focus on restoring the entire musculoskeletal system, and not just the mobility of individual joints.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is included in the complex of measures for the treatment of deforming arthrosis. It is effective in the early stages of the disease. Medicines and physiotherapy for coxarthrosis, arthrosis of the shoulder joint are prescribed by a doctor after examination and diagnosis.
Physiotherapy treatment includes:
- ultraviolet radiation,
- UHF therapy,
- magnetic therapy,
- ultrasound therapy,
- amplipulse therapy,
- therapeutic baths,
- healing mud.
Transaction
When the current therapeutic measures have not brought positive dynamics, and the disease progresses, surgical intervention is prescribed.
The following types of operation are possible:
- Puncture of the shoulder joint is a minimally invasive method that allows you to remove inflammatory fluid from the joint cavity and introduce medication into it.
- Arthroscopy is performed using a video camera by puncturing the joint area. This treatment option relieves symptoms without requiring a long recovery period after surgery.
- Endoprostheses - 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. However, remember that alternative treatments should be used in addition to the main drug treatment.
The following herbal recipes are effective:
- Elecampane tincture for grinding. Stimulates blood circulation processes, relieves pain. To prepare it, 100 g of dry roots of the plant are infused with 250 ml of vodka and applied to the affected area no more than five times a day.
- Oat compress. Reduces pain syndrome. It is prepared as follows: a full tablespoon of oatmeal is poured with 500 ml of water, put on fire and boiled for about 10 minutes. The prepared mass is cooled to a skin-tolerant temperature and applied to gauze. Such a compress is applied to the affected joint for one to two hours.
- Saline compress. Slows down the inflammatory process. Method of preparation: dissolve 50 g of salt in two glasses of water. Soak a piece of gauze in the prepared solution for three hours, then squeeze it, heat it and apply it to the painful joint until the bandage cools completely.
Prevention
To prevent the onset and further progression of arthrosis of the shoulder joint, it is important to follow simple rules for the prevention of the disease. These include:
- maintain an active lifestyle,
- regular long walks
- training exercises, gymnastics, yoga,
- give up bad habits (tobacco, alcohol),
- cold and hot shower,
- swim,
- weight control,
- adequate nutrition,
- rapid and thorough treatment,
- avoidance of injury, excessive physical exertion, hypothermia.
Conclusion
Deforming arthrosis of the shoulder joint significantly impairs the quality of life of a person, reduces the mobility of the musculoskeletal system and causes discomfort with increasing 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 helps to maintain the disease in remission.
The outcome of the arisen joint pathology completely depends on the person, his willingness to regularly engage in therapeutic exercises and adhere to preventive measures. A person with this diagnosis can lead a full life.