Shoulder osteoarthritis is a common disease. Each person faces the symptoms of the initial stage of this pathology. But someone immediately turns to a specialist and undergoes treatment, preventing the development of the disease, while someone initiates it and copes with serious problems. The information presented in the article will help determine the pathology at an early stage of development. You can learn how to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.
What is shoulder osteoarthritis?
Shoulder osteoarthritis is a painful change, the destruction of cartilage tissue. As the disease progresses, it becomes thinner. Subsequently, the damaged areas are replaced by osteocytes. This destructive process is caused by insufficient nutrition of chondrocytes and a violation of the production of substances such as elastin and collagen. To stop the destruction, it is important to diagnose the disease in a timely manner. Visit a doctor who will prescribe competent comprehensive restorative treatment.
The reasons for the development of the disease
There are many reasons for the appearance and development of pathology. Among the most important are:
- Physiological damage - fracture or dislocation;
- Overweight;
- hormonal imbalance;
- Professional sports;
- Pathology of intrauterine development;
- Genetic predisposition.
In a young body, cartilage tissue regenerates much faster. In adulthood, the body's natural anabolic metabolic processes slow down. This increases tissue degeneration. For this reason, it is so important to diagnose diseases in a timely manner, to undergo a course of treatment for arthrosis of the shoulder.
Symptoms
The first signs of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint are associated with pain when the arm is pulled back or to the side. It manifests itself most strongly in the morning and when weather conditions change. Pain is also noted during palpation and with factors such as:
- Increased physical activity.
- Weightlifting.
- Hypothermia.
If the disease is not treated, the pain in the shoulder joint begins to disturb at rest. The restriction in movement is increasing. It becomes difficult to complete daily tasks. Contracture and crepitus develop gradually. These phenomena are based on the formation of growths called osteophytes. With an exacerbation, the shoulder swells, redness appears. There is a rise in temperature in the shoulder area.
Stages of the disease
The pathology has three stages of development. It is worth knowing how arthrosis of the shoulder joint manifests itself, what symptoms are characteristic for each degree:
- First. It manifests itself as aching pain. Unpleasant painful and constricting sensations are exacerbated at night. In this case, the movement is not limited.
- Second. In the process of moving the shoulder, a person feels a creak. Pain constantly torments a person. There is a severe limitation in the movements.
- Third. At this stage, the person begins to consume unbearable pain in the shoulder region. The arm is fixed in a comfortable and less painful position. Visually, X-rays show a pathological deformity.
The main difference between osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint from other diseases is the ability not to manifest itself, not to develop for a long time. The condition will only worsen in the presence of provoking factors.
Diagnostics
Shoulder osteoarthritis can be diagnosed with a standard shoulder x-ray. The image is taken in two projections. The doctor determines the disease in the presence of such factors as:
- Narrowing of the joint space;
- Formation of osteophytes;
- Bone sclerosis.
Under certain conditions, other methods of research on the shoulder are prescribed. Ultrasound to determine the thickness of the cartilage, to assess the state of the soft tissues.
At the second stage of the development of the pathology, an arthroscopy procedure is prescribed. This is an invasive research method. During its implementation, an endoscope is inserted into the shoulder cavity. Simultaneously with the study of the state of tissues, bone growths are removed.
If available, ultrasound and X-rays can be substituted for MRI. This is a unique informational method of examining the body with osteoarthritis. The procedure allows you to assess the condition of the bone structure, cartilage and ligaments, to understand how to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder.
Along with the standard instrumental methods, the doctor prescribes a urine test, a blood donation. This is necessary to detect inflammation.
Which doctor should I contact?
For an initial examination, it is necessary to visit a therapist. He studies the patient's condition, prescribes tests. Provides references to other specialists:
- Orthopedic;
- rheumatologist;
- Surgeon;
- Neurologist.
After receiving the conclusions of these doctors, the test results, the therapist prescribes a suitable treatment for osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint. Reception of this specialist is indicated at the first stage of the development of the disease. If the problem develops with complications and an inflammatory process arises, a rheumatologist prescribes therapy.
If compression of the nerve bundle is noted, help from a neurologist may be needed. The surgeon performs surgery if the disease is advanced and requires intra-articular manipulations.
Treatment
Medicine offers many effective treatments. To eliminate inflammation, pain, painkillers are prescribed. After the removal of acute inflammation, the doctor prescribes a course of fortifying and regenerating agents. To increase the therapeutic effect, drug treatment is supplemented with a diet, the use of alternative methods.
Drug
For effective and quick treatment of arthrosis of the shoulder joint, a specialist prescribes drugs of different pharmacological groups. They are needed to restore damaged cartilage tissue, eliminate pain symptoms and improve the patient's general well-being. The result can be achieved through the use of such medicines:
- Chondroprotectors. These are medicinal preparations based on herbal ingredients. They effectively nourish the cells. Medicines are recommended for use in remission, during an exacerbation.
- Corticosteroid group. Medicines can provide long-term pain relief. This is an excellent solution for a severe stage of pathology. If you follow the scheme of a competent specialist, undergo comprehensive treatment of a diseased shoulder joint, you can reduce the foci of pathology and restore cartilage.
- NSAIDs. Medicines quickly eliminate the pain that occurs with degenerative changes. Relief from pain and inflammation allows for free movement.
Along with drugs for internal use, the attending physician prescribes external treatments. We are talking about ointments and gels. They are rubbed directly into the inflamed area. Properly structured medical treatment of arthrosis of the shoulder joint relieves inflammation, removes pain.
Surgical
This surgery is indispensable for such factors:
- Lack of effect from the previously prescribed and performed conservative treatment;
- The occurrence of complications;
- Manifestation of degenerative destructive changes.
If there are irreversible changes in appearance or functioning, arthroplasty is performed. The affected part is replaced with an artificial one through surgery. It is a complex operation that requires the ideal professional qualifications of the doctor.
Therapy
Physiotherapy is the focus of attention to relieve the signs of shoulder osteoarthritis. After the main course of treatment, it is necessary to reduce pain and restore natural mobility. The following procedures are envisaged:
- Cryotherapy for the affected area;
- electrophoresis;
- Magnetotherapy.
You can get results from this form of treatment if you follow the rules. Physiotherapy is prescribed only in the absence of acute painful manifestations. The procedures must be performed by highly qualified doctors.
Gym
We are talking about physiotherapy exercises. Low-load gymnastics is prescribed at an early stage of the pathology. This will relieve the attacks of exacerbation. It will allow you to quickly heal a sore shoulder joint. A standard training complex looks like this:
- The man sits in a chair. He locks the brushes in the lock. Several stretches are performed forward and immediately backward. You need to perform such a movement twice with short pauses.
- In the same position, you need to put your hands on your hips and relax. Next, you need to perform 4-5 shoulder manipulations, moving in different directions.
- In a standing position, you should perform several shots with the simultaneous abduction of the elbows behind the back. This is a great way to load the spine, to train the entire shoulder area.
Exercising regularly will relieve pain for a long time and restore shoulder mobility.
Massage
When deciding how to treat the shoulder joint, doctors often prescribe a massage course. This will provide results such as:
- Improve tissue nutrition;
- Removal of edema;
- Tone the muscles;
- Elimination of pain.
If you entrust the massage to a professional, after a few sessions you can notice a positive effect.
Traditional methods
Despite the rapid development of modern medicine, the treatment of arthrosis of the shoulder with folk remedies is considered relevant. Here are the most effective recipes:
- Compress with a cabbage leaf. It reduces pain in osteoarthritis, removes inflammation and improves mobility. The method is easy to use. You need to attach the sheet to the sore shoulder and leave it overnight.
- To the bath should be added decoctions of chamomile, nettle, burdock and calendula.
- Hirudotherapy. It is an excellent option for treating acute and chronic shoulder osteoarthritis. The procedure quickly restores blood circulation, relieves pain and swelling.
Despite the ease of use and the versatility of folk methods, you should not self-medicate. Treatment of chronic arthrosis of the shoulder joint by folk methods should be prescribed by a doctor after an examination and understanding that there is no allergy to the components present in the recipes.
Nutrition for osteoarthritis
Following a simple diet is important to quickly restore cartilage. The body needs to be filled with nutrients. The diet should contain the following foods:
- Fruit jelly.
- Bran.
- Nuts of different varieties.
- Egg.
- Buckwheat.
Vitamins are recommended. Eat small meals 4-5 times. To achieve stable remission, this menu must be constantly adhered to.
Prophylaxis
Preventive measures aimed at eliminating arthrosis of the shoulder joint are based on the exclusion of factors that can provoke the disease. It is necessary to lead a healthy and fairly active lifestyle. It is important to stick to these rules:
- Introduce moderate daily exercise.
- It is important to avoid being in the cold.
- Use chondroprotectors for shoulder pain.
- Get rid of the extra pounds.
- Avoid excessive physical work.
Following these rules will allow you to keep yourself healthy for many years. No arthrosis of the shoulder will be scary. These rules are important for people over 45 and for those who play professional sports.
Contraindications
Weight lifting is considered the main contraindication. If a person is diagnosed with shoulder osteoarthritis and works as a loader, he will have to change employment. When buying goods in a supermarket, you should use a trolley and not burden your shoulder. It is categorically contraindicated to engage in boxing, wrestling and bodybuilding.
Conclusion
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is a disease that destroys the joint. In the absence of treatment and the use of drugs, the cartilage tissue of the shoulder will gradually deteriorate. The movements will become constrained, the pain will appear. At the first symptoms, you should immediately visit a doctor and undergo the prescribed course of treatment. In the initial stage, the prognosis for recovery is favorable.