Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is a chronic disease, which is based on cartilage tissue damage, followed by the appearance of bone growths and limited mobility. Most often, older people suffer, but hard physical work and inflammatory processes contribute to the early development of the pathology. Without timely treatment, movements in the affected joint are completely blocked.
General information
Cartilage is a smooth layer between the contact areas of bone. Ensures their easy sliding in relation to each other, guaranteeing joint and painless work. Excessive stress, inflammation or trauma can cause a degenerative process that gradually spreads across the surface.
As a result, the softness of the articular surfaces is disturbed, and the movements begin to cause pain. At the same time, bone growths begin to appear along the joint edges, replacing the affected cartilage. As the degenerative process progresses, it involves not only the bones but also the surrounding tissues. The limb is deformed, the muscles suffer and the ligaments weaken and lose elasticity. Without treatment, the person loses the ability to move the arm.
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Depending on the cause of development, primary and secondary arthrosis are distinguished. The primary form occurs on its own, most often against the background of excessive joint overload. Secondary is provoked by a pathology of a third party, for example, trauma, intense inflammation, metabolic disorders, etc. Both forms of the disease are similar in symptoms.
reason
Unlike the knee, ankle and hip joints, the shoulder does not experience significant stress when walking, so this form of osteoarthritis occurs much less frequently. Pathology can be caused by:
- Excessive regular physical activity: weight lifting, professional sports, vibrations;
- congenital abnormalities of the structure of the shoulder joints and adjacent structures;
- rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases;
- congenital weakness of connective tissue, accompanied by hypermobility of the joints;
- injuries: dislocations, sprains and tears of ligaments, intra-articular bone fractures;
- hormonal changes and interruptions (including pregnancy, menopause);
- inflammatory diseases of the joints and periarticular structures (arthritis, bursitis, etc. );
- metabolic disorders, including gout, diabetes mellitus.
Heredity plays an important role in the predisposition to osteoarthritis.
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Doctors identify 3 degrees of deforming arthrosis of the shoulder joint, which determine its symptoms and the choice of treatment tactics:
- Grade 1 is characterized by minimal manifestations: pain occurs only with strong or prolonged strain and passes quickly after rest, and X-rays reveal subchondral sclerosis of articular surfaces;
- with grade 2 osteoarthritis, the pain becomes much stronger, a person should use pain relievers to make them feel better; radiography shows a marked narrowing of the joint space, extensive areas of cartilage destruction, as well as bone growth (osteophytes);
- Grade 3 disease is associated with persistent intense pain, joint mobility is severely limited, and the photograph shows complete destruction of cartilage tissue, deformation of bone structures, and a large number of osteophytes.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of shoulder osteoarthritis include:
- pain: arises from a decrease in the softness of the articular surfaces, the growth of osteophytes and the deformation of the bones; the intensity, duration and nature of the sensations depend on the degree of damage;
- crisis: one of the characteristic symptoms of the disease, which appears in the early stages; varies from physiological to a thicker tonality, and is also often accompanied by pain;
- restriction of mobility: is accompanied by the appearance of pathological growths and destroyed cartilage particles within the joint; in the early stages, it is represented by a slight stiffness in the morning, later increasing to complete immobility (ankylosis);
- deformity: a change in the contours of the joint only first, and then of the hand, occurs in the later stages of the disease and indicates complete destruction of the cartilage and the involvement of bones, muscles and ligaments in the pathological process.
The progression of symptoms can take years or even decades, but ultimately osteoarthritis of the shoulder leads to inability to move the arm and severe pain.
Diagnosing
Diagnosing shoulder osteoarthritis requires an integrated approach. To accurately determine the diagnosis and determine the extent of the lesion, the doctor uses the following methods:
- question and collection of anamnesis: the patient's complaints are recorded, the circumstances of the appearance of certain symptoms are determined; without fail, clarify information on past illnesses and injuries, the presence of joint impairment in the parents;
- examination: the doctor assesses the joint visually, determines the range of motion, the area of greatest pain, etc . ;
- X-rays and CT: the main diagnostic method that allows you to see the characteristic symptoms of osteoarthritis (narrowing of the joint space, cartilage degeneration, bone growth and deformities);
- Ultrasound: makes it possible to assess the condition of cartilage, bones, ligaments, joint capsule and muscles;
- MRI: allows you to take virtual slices of all structures of the affected area;
- laboratory diagnosis: a blood test reveals an active inflammatory process, often accompanying osteoarthritis;
- arthroscopy: examination of the joint from the inside with a camera inserted through a small puncture.
If the disease is of a secondary nature, close examinations and consultations of specialists for the underlying pathology are mandatory.
Treatment of shoulder osteoarthritis
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joints depends on the degree of the lesion: in stages 1 and 2, the disease can be stopped or successfully delayed the correct choice of medication. With extensive destruction, the only way to restore mobility and completely stop the pain is a surgical operation - arthroscopy with joint "cleansing".
Medication treatment
Medical treatment for shoulder osteoarthritis aims to reduce symptoms and restore cartilage tissue. For this, the following groups of drugs are used:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: block inflammatory reactions and reduce pain; are available in the form of tablets, oils, suppositories and in the form of injection;
- hormonal agents (corticosteroids): used when NSAIDs are not effective, have a similar effect; a good effect is provided by drugs of prolonged action, injected directly into the joint cavity;
- antispasmodics, B vitamins: used to reduce muscle spasm that inevitably accompanies advanced osteoarthritis;
- chondroprotectors: designed for long-term use, aimed at restoring cartilage tissue;
- drugs that improve microcirculation: indirectly stimulate regeneration processes by improving blood supply to the affected area;
- Enzyme blockers: partially slow down the destruction of cartilage tissue.
The selection of specific drugs, their dose, frequency of administration and duration of the course is performed only by one doctor! Importers It is important to remember that self-medication can cause accelerated joint degeneration and other side effects.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy techniques and physiotherapy exercises greatly facilitate the course of the disease and increase the effect of medication. The following procedures have been proven to have a good effect:
- magnetotherapy: relieves pain, relieves inflammation, improves microcirculation and stimulates cartilage tissue regeneration;
- Shock wave therapy: exposure to acoustic waves of a certain frequency contributes to the destruction of osteophytes, which facilitates movement in the affected joint;
- electrophoresis, phonophoresis: introduction of drugs (pain relievers, chondroprotectors) into tissues using electrical impulses or ultrasound; promotes better drug absorption;
- massage exercises and physiotherapy: dose loads on the joints and intensive manual action stimulates blood circulation to the tissues.
Like medication, physiotherapy, massage and exercise therapy should be prescribed and performed under the supervision of a specialist. If in a quiet period they are useful, then the effect on the background of an acute inflammatory process can cause increased pain.
Surgery
The final stage of shoulder osteoarthritis is associated with severe symptoms and requires surgical treatment. Most of the changes that have occurred as a result of degeneration are irreversible, so the only way to restore movement in a person is endoprosthetics. The affected joint is replaced with a modern prosthesis, which completely takes over its functions. This surgery is especially effective in young and middle age, as it allows you to live without pain for years.
Prophylaxis
Like any joint disease, osteoarthritis of the shoulder is easier to prevent than to cure. Orthopedists recommend adhering to the following rules:
- exclude or minimize occupational risk factors (tremors, weight lifting);
- not to allow hypodynamics, but also not to try for sports records: it is better to choose a moderate training option;
- control food and weight;
- undergo regular examinations to identify potential problems.
diets
With shoulder osteoarthritis of any degree, it is important to monitor diet:
- avoid overload and overweight;
- minimize harmful products: fatty, spicy, salty, alcohol, canned food, smoked meat;
- eat a sufficient amount of foods high in collagen (favorite meats, aspic) and omega-3 (fatty fish, olive oils);
- give preference to boiled, steamed or boiled foods, rather than fried foods;
- reduce the amount of fast-digesting carbohydrates.
The diet should be complete and include the required amount of vitamins, minerals and nutrients.
Consequences and complications
Even a slight pain and crisis in the shoulder can turn into unpleasant consequences. Without treatment, osteoarthritis leads to:
- significant restriction of mobility to ankylosis (bone fusion);
- severe pain even at rest;
- severe deformity of the shoulder and the entire arm.
To avoid these problems, it is important not to search the Internet on how to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder joints with folk remedies, but simply contact an orthopedist to choose the therapy.
Treatment in a specialized clinic
It is impossible to cure osteoarthritis yourself. The specialists of the modern clinic offer patients complex methods of treatment of shoulder osteoarthritis:
- Modern drug therapy regimens that combine high efficacy and a minimum of side effects;
- time-tested and new physiotherapy techniques;
- PRP therapy;
- physiotherapy exercises and massage to facilitate restriction of joint movements.
If necessary, joint puncture is performed with the introduction of sedatives or artificial synovial fluid that facilitates movement.
We monitor the patient throughout treatment to keep the disease under control.
The benefits of modern clinics
The specialized blade offers their patients:
- comprehensive health screening programs;
- advanced examinations for an accurate diagnosis;
- consultations of close specialists of different profiles;
- modern treatment regimens, including not only medication but also physiotherapy, massage and exercise therapy;
- reasonable prices for all services.
Osteoarthritis of the shoulders is a problem that can completely change a person's life. Do not let the disease pass into an irreversible stage, come for a consultation with an orthopedist.