Shoulder osteoarthritis is a chronic condition in which the articular cartilage and adjacent bone tissue degrade, wear and break down.If you treat this disease negligently and do not start treatment in a timely manner, the consequences can be quite disastrous, including the loss of motor functions of the hand.
Why does shoulder arthritis develop?
The impetus for the development of shoulder arthrosis is inflammation of the joint.It can appear for various reasons:
- Injuries.Shoulder osteoarthritis can develop due to a previous shoulder injury, or constant and minor microtraumas to the shoulder, typical of athletes.
- Vascular diseases.In vascular pathologies, blood circulation is usually impaired, which leads to insufficient blood supply to the joints.As a result, joint tissues undergo degenerative changes, that is, arthrosis develops.
- Excessive load.This is often associated with the work activities of patients (loaders, builders).
- Hormonal or autoimmune disorders.They often significantly affect joint tissues, having a destructive effect on them.These are diseases such as psoriasis, gout, etc.
- Inheritance.It has been proven that children of parents with arthrosis of the shoulder joint are more prone to developing joint defects than others.This also includes people who were already born with joint defects.Both perceive the usual load placed on the hands as excessive and therefore the process of wear of the cartilage occurs much faster.
- Failures in metabolic processes and the endocrine system.Because of this, salts begin to accumulate in the joints, and the cartilaginous tissues cease to receive proper nutrition (phosphorus, calcium, etc.) and begin to deteriorate.
- Joint diseases.A prerequisite for the development of arthrosis may be joint pathologies such as arthritis, bone necrosis, synovitis, etc.
- Age.Particularly at risk are the elderly (50 years and older), since joint tissues wear out with age, which in itself leads to the development of the pathology.
Signs of shoulder arthritis
Arthrosis is characterized by a long development, sometimes it does not manifest itself in any way in the initial stages.Therefore, you should be very careful about the smallest symptomatic manifestations.Shoulder osteoarthritis is usually indicated by:
- Pain is considered the main symptom of the disease.Aching pain often bothers patients in the morning.Pain syndromes are also more possible in case of sudden weather changes.If you subject your sore shoulder to any load, for example, lifting something heavy, the pain will also remind you of itself.The patient also feels pain when palpating the shoulder.With the development of shoulder arthrosis, pain begins to appear even in a quiet position.This fact should be taken into account: with arthrosis of the shoulder joint, pain can occur not only in the affected joint, but can be localized in the arm, elbow or back.
- Motor dysfunction.Due to pain, it becomes difficult for the patient to cope with seemingly simple tasks, such as combing his hair, on his own.By the way, this action is one of the test movements for diagnosing arthrosis.Rotating movements and attempts to move the arm back are also difficult.If treatment is not started on time, gradually the shoulder joint and, consequently, the arm stop moving altogether and contracture develops.
- Painful crunch, crunching in the joint.It usually occurs due to salts deposited in the diseased joint (osteophytes).Initially, a weak, creaking noise appears in the diseased joint;as the disease progresses, it turns into distinct crunchy clicks, audible even at some distance from the patient.
- Swelling, increased general temperature and redness at the affected joint site.These signs confirm the presence of inflammation in the diseased joint.
- Joint hardening.This symptom appears when the disease is in an advanced stage due to bony growths covering the joint.
You should not postpone your visit to the clinic if you suddenly start to feel pain in your shoulder, especially after a bruise or dislocation.In fact, in the later stages, osteoarthritis is practically incurable.Keep in mind that some patients may not have any signs of the disease.
Symptoms of shoulder arthritis depending on the stage of the disease:
- The first degree of shoulder arthrosis is characterized by morning and evening pain.The patient must “develop” the joint before it begins to move without stiffness.A sudden movement of the shoulder or arm is accompanied by a slight, still painless crunch.No pain is observed at rest.Radiographic examination shows no significant changes in the joint.
- Shoulder arthrosis in the second stage is accompanied by more intense pain and a clear crunching sound.The range of possible movements of the hand is reduced, but the joint is still mobile.The joint has already started to collapse and deform.
- Third degree is a severe and advanced stage of the disease.Patients can only shake hands lightly;acute pain torments them constantly.The joint itself becomes very inflamed and deformed.There is also partial atrophy of the muscles around the shoulder joint.The joint can only be cured with surgery.Osteoarthritis rarely develops to this stage.It occurs only in patients who do not take care of the affected joint and subject it to unbearable overloads.
- Stage four – absolute destruction of the joint and fusion of the bones.Even strong painkillers do not relieve pain syndrome.This phase occurs mainly in elderly patients.
Treatment of shoulder arthritis
Pharmacological treatment of shoulder arthrosis is aimed, first of all, at destroying the source of the inflammatory process and pain.Typically, your doctor will prescribe NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).First of all, they stop inflammation and relieve pain.
Often, with severe inflammation, doctors resort to corticosteroids.These are anti-inflammatory drugs used for joint blockage.This procedure consists of an injection administered into the joint itself.This method is a non-invasive treatment method, that is, it does not damage either the skin or mucous membranes.As a rule, it involves the use of ointments, gels, creams, etc.
For shoulder arthritis, chondroprotectors are also prescribed: drugs capable of restoring damaged cartilage, based on hyaluronic acid, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.
In addition to drug treatment, physical therapy, sanatorium treatment, massage and physiotherapy are also used.The latter refers to treatment procedures with ultrasound, laser therapy, mud therapy, cryotherapy and magnetotherapy.Recently, the treatment of arthrosis with leeches (hirudotherapy) has become very popular due to its effectiveness.Therapeutic gymnastics exercises, without overloading the joint, stimulate the muscles to the necessary extent, as a result the joint is developed and restored.
In addition, the patient is prescribed a therapeutic diet based on avoiding too spicy and salty foods.Doctors recommend eating more foods containing collagen: turkey, seafood, vegetables and salmon.
In cases where shoulder arthrosis has led to the complete destruction of the articular cartilage, a surgical operation called endoprosthesis is performed, during which a ceramic, plastic or metal prosthesis is implanted in the place of the affected joint.
Traditional medicine has also proven effective in the fight against shoulder arthritis.
Folk remedies are usually effective as an additional analgesic.Remember, they are not able to restore a shoulder joint affected by osteoarthritis.This requires medical treatment under the guidance of a doctor.
Compresses
Boil the oatmeal (30 g) in two glasses of water for about 10 minutes.Soak a piece of gauze folded in several layers with the resulting solution and apply to the sore spots for at least half an hour.
A cabbage juice compress has proven to be a good pain reliever.It is usually performed every evening, leaving it on the sore joint until the morning.
At night you can simply apply cabbage leaves smeared with honey to the affected joint.
Rubbing
Infuse elecampane roots (50 g) with vodka (125 ml) for a couple of weeks.The mixture should be rubbed into sore joints.
Leave the angelica roots (15 g) for half an hour, pour boiling water over them.The filtered solution should be rubbed into the affected areas 3-5 times a day.
Herbal baths
You can add various herbal decoctions and infusions to a bath filled with water.Experienced people note the special effect of baths with decoctions of mustard, hay powder, mint and burdock.Such baths should be done before the body is completely steamed, and then, after massaging the joints, the patient should lie down, covered with a warm blanket, so that the body retains heat longer.
Ointments
To ordinary petroleum jelly you need to add 15 g of sweet clover, hops and St. John's wort.The resulting mixture should be rubbed into the joint area regularly.