Shoulder osteoarthritis is a common disease. Every person faces the symptoms of the initial stage of this pathology. But someone immediately goes to a specialist and undergoes treatment, preventing the disease from developing, while someone initiates it and faces serious problems. The information presented in the article will help to determine the pathology at an early stage of development. You can learn how to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.
What is shoulder osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder is a painful change, destruction of cartilage tissue. As the disease progresses, it becomes thin. Later, 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 a 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 of them are:
- Physiological damage - fracture or dislocation;
- Over weight;
- 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 the degeneration of the tissue. For this reason, it is so important to diagnose diseases in a timely manner, to undergo treatment for osteoarthritis 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 when palpating and with factors such as:
- Increased physical activity.
- Lifting weights.
- Hypothermia.
If the disease is not treated, the pain in the shoulder joint begins to bother at rest. The restriction on movement is increasing. It becomes difficult to complete daily tasks. The 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 an increase in temperature in the shoulder area.
Stages of the disease
The pathology has three stages of development. It is worth knowing how osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint manifests itself, what symptoms are characteristic of each degree:
- First. It manifests itself by painful pain. Unpleasant painful and restrictive sensations are exacerbated at night. In this case, the movement is not limited.
- Second. In the process of moving the shoulder, a person hears a crunch. Pain torments a person constantly. There is a serious limitation in movement.
- Third. At this stage, the person begins to experience excruciating pain in the shoulder region. The arm is fixed in a comfortable and less painful position. Visually, the radiograph shows a pathological deformity.
The main difference between osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint and other diseases is the ability not to manifest itself, not to develop for a long period. The condition will worsen only in the presence of provoking factors.
Diagnosis
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder 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 factors such as:
- Narrowing of the joint space;
- formation of osteophytes;
- Bone sclerosis
Under certain conditions, other shoulder investigation methods are prescribed. Ultrasound to determine the thickness of the cartilage, to assess the condition of the soft tissues.
At the second stage of the development of pathology, an arthroscopy procedure is prescribed. This is an invasive research method. During its implementation, an endoscope is inserted into the shoulder socket. Simultaneously with the study of the state of the tissues, bone growths are removed.
If available, MRI can be substituted for ultrasound and X-rays. This is a unique informative method of examining the body with osteoarthritis. The procedure allows you to assess the state of the bone structure, cartilage and ligaments, to understand how to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder.
Along with standard instrumental methods, the doctor prescribes a urine test, blood donation. This is necessary to detect inflammation.
Which doctor should I go to?
For an initial examination, you must visit a therapist. Study the patient's condition, prescribe tests. Give references to other specialists:
- Orthopedist;
- rheumatologist;
- Surgeon;
- Neurologist.
Having received the conclusions of these doctors, the results of the tests, 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 manifests, a rheumatologist prescribes therapy.
The help of a neurologist may be required if compression of the nerve bundle is observed. The surgeon performs an intervention 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.
Medicine
For effective and rapid treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, a specialist prescribes drugs of different pharmacological groups. They are necessary to restore damaged cartilage tissue, eliminate pain symptoms, and improve the general well-being of the patient. The result can be achieved through the use of such drugs:
- Chondroprotectors. These are medicinal preparations made from herbal ingredients. They effectively nourish cells. Medications are recommended for use in remission, during an exacerbation.
- corticosteroid group. Medications can provide long-term pain relief. This is an excellent solution for a serious stage of the pathology. If you follow the scheme of a competent specialist, undergo full treatment of a diseased shoulder joint, you can reduce the foci of pathology and restore cartilage.
- NSAIDs. Medications quickly eliminate pain that manifests itself with degenerative changes. Relief from pain and inflammation allows 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 on the inflamed area. Competently structured medical treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint relieves inflammation and eliminates pain.
Surgical
This surgical intervention is essential for such factors:
- Lack of effect of the conservative treatment previously prescribed and carried out;
- The appearance of complications;
- Manifestation of degenerative destructive changes.
If there are irreversible changes in appearance or function, an arthroplasty is performed. The affected part is replaced by an artificial one by surgery. This is a complex operation that requires the ideal professional qualifications of the doctor.
Therapy
Physiotherapy is the focus of attention to alleviate 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 prescribed:
- Cryotherapy for the affected area;
- electrophoresis;
- Magnetotherapy.
You can achieve results from this form of treatment by following the rules. Physiotherapy is prescribed only in the absence of acute painful manifestations. Procedures must be performed by highly qualified physicians.
Gymnastics
We are talking about physical therapy exercises. Gymnastics with a low load is prescribed at an early stage of pathology. This will alleviate exacerbation attacks. It will allow you to quickly heal a sore shoulder joint. A standard training complex looks like this:
- The man sits on a chair. He locks the brushes in the lock. Several stretches are performed forwards and immediately backwards. He should perform this movement twice with short pauses.
- In the same position, you should put your hands on your hips and relax. Next, he should perform 4-5 shoulder manipulations, moving in different directions.
- In a standing position, he must perform several pulls with the simultaneous abduction of the elbows behind the back. This is a great method to put a load on the spine, to exercise the entire shoulder area.
Exercising regularly will relieve pain for a long time and restore mobility to the shoulder.
Massage
When deciding how to treat the shoulder joint, doctors often prescribe a course of massage. This will provide results such as:
- Improve tissue nutrition;
- Removal of edema;
- Muscle toning;
- Elimination of pain.
If you entrust the massage to a professional, after a few sessions you will notice a positive effect.
Traditional methods
Despite the rapid development of modern medicine, the treatment of shoulder osteoarthritis with folk remedies is considered relevant. Here are the most effective recipes:
- Compress with cabbage leaf. Reduces pain in osteoarthritis, eliminates inflammation and improves mobility. The method is easy to use. You need to put the sheet on the sore shoulder and leave it overnight.
- Decoctions of chamomile, nettle, burdock and calendula should be added to the bath.
- Hirudotherapy. It is an excellent option to treat acute and chronic shoulder osteoarthritis. The procedure quickly restores blood circulation, relieves pain and swelling.
Despite the ease of use and versatility of popular methods, you should not self-medicate. Treatment of chronic arthrosis of the shoulder joint by folk methods should be prescribed by a doctor after examination and understanding that there is no allergy to the components present in the prescriptions.
Nutrition for osteoarthritis
Eating a simple diet is important to quickly restore cartilage. The body needs to be full of nutrients. The diet should contain the following foods:
- Fruit jelly.
- Saved.
- Nuts of different varieties.
- Eggs.
- Buckwheat.
Vitamins are recommended. Eat small meals 4-5 times. To achieve a stable remission, this menu must be consistently adhered to.
Prophylaxis
Preventive measures aimed at eliminating osteoarthritis 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 comply with 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 kilos.
- Avoid excessive physical work.
Following these rules will keep you healthy for many years to come. No shoulder osteoarthritis will be scary. These rules are important for people over the age of 45 and for those who play professional sports.
Contraindications
Weight lifting is considered the main contraindication. If a person is diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the shoulder and works as a porter, he will have to change occupation. When buying products in a supermarket, you should use a cart and not carry your shoulder. It is categorically contraindicated to participate in boxing, wrestling and bodybuilding.
conclusion
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is a disease that destroys the joint. In the absence of treatment and use of drugs, the cartilage tissue of the shoulder will gradually deteriorate. Movements will become restricted, pain will appear. At the first symptoms, you should immediately visit a doctor and follow the prescribed course of treatment. In the initial stage, the prognosis for recovery is favorable.