shoulder osteoarthritis isjoint disease, which is characterized by degradation, wear and tear and destruction of the cartilage and adjacent bone tissue. The disease is also known as adhesive capsulitis, humeroscapular polyarthrosis, frozen shoulder.
The disease belongs to the category of chronic, progressive. The disease usually develops unnoticed by the patient at first. At this point, it can only be diagnosed by an X-ray. Then the first mild symptoms appear: for example, pain when trying to bring a spoon to your mouth. The symptoms increase and as a result the mobility of the affected arm is severely or completely restricted. A person's quality of life decreases, sleep worsens, since it is almost impossible to choose a position that will eliminate pain.
There are two main manifestations of the disease. The first is pain (first observed during movement, later - at rest). The second manifestation is muscle restriction (contracture). For example, the patient cannot raise or withdraw their arms.
Cartilage problems occur in many people. According to statistics, arthrosis is diagnosed in 7% of the population. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is less dangerous than, for example, osteoarthritis of the hip joint, but the consequences are still frightening. We are talking about complete immobility of the hand and this is a disastrous inconvenience in everyday life and unsuitable for most types of work.
The danger of the disease lies in the fact that the damage it has caused cannot be corrected. It is important to recognize osteoarthritis in the early stages of development, and therefore begin to carefully monitor your shoulder when the slightest discomfort appears.
For the first time, an attempt can be made to eliminate the pain that has occurred with medication. Pain can be caused by clumsy movements, heavy lifting or sports, for example. If the pain does not go away after 3-4 days, go to the doctor. You can first test the mobility of the joints: make a movement that imitates putting on an apron (put your hands behind your back). If pain occurs at the same time, a visit to the doctor should not be postponed under any circumstances. Arthrosis of the shoulder joint is an "insidious" disease, and only your vigilance will help stop it in time.
Causes of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
- Natural cartilage wear. The risk group consists of people over 50 years old, but it is worth paying special attention to the condition of the joints after 40 years. At this age it is desirable to reduce the load.
- injuries. The process of breaking down cartilage and bone tissue can cause mechanical damage. This can be not only a serious injury, but also multiple micro-traumas that occur, for example, in athletes.
- Do a sport that puts a lot of strain on the shoulder joint. We are talking about tennis, rowing, swimming, handball, volleyball.
- Circulatory disorders in the shoulder area. It can be caused by disease, genetic factors, or trauma.
- Works related to the transfer of weights. Osteoarthritis is caused by constant tension in the muscles of the shoulder joint.
- Rheumatoid polyarthritis, although rare, still leads to the development of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.
- autoimmune diseases.
- Diseases of the endocrine system.
- Some metabolic diseases, gout, etc.
- genetic predisposition. If there are cases of arthrosis of the shoulder joint in the family, a person needs to limit the load on the joint and be examined by a specialist.
Stages of development of arthrosis of the shoulder joint
- First stage. The joint may occasionally crackle. Pain occurs in the morning and in the evening. Bad weather can cause pain. Discomfort with movements persists, but after "development" of the hand, everything returns to normal.
- Second floor. The motor skills of the hand deteriorate significantly. At this stage, a person begins to "adjust" his movements to the existing inconvenience: for example, when putting on a jacket, one must avoid throwing a strong arm behind the back when putting on a jacket. The symptoms of the first stage intensify.
- Third section. The joint is completely immobilized. The amplitude of hand movements is limited to a few degrees. The pain is felt all the time. Due to the immobility of the joint, the muscles of the shoulder girdle begin to atrophy.
- fourth stage. The hand is completely immobilized. The joint hardens and the bones grow together because there is no cartilage between them. The pain is strong. It is not always removed by painkillers.
Already in the second stage, the symptoms of the disease are clearly visible, which is why the disease rarely reaches the third and fourth stages. This happens when the patient completely ignores the problem or tries to get rid of it with the help of self-medication. Arthrosis of the shoulder joint is a complex disease that only a doctor can eliminate.
Symptoms of shoulder osteoarthritis
- Pain at rest or when moving.
- Complaints in changing weather conditions.
- Pain after prolonged exercise lasting a day or more.
- Crunch.
- Stiffness of movement due to pain.
- swelling of the joint area.
- A feeling of increased temperature in this area (a sign of an inflammatory process).
- Difficulty sleeping due to the inability to lie on the side in pain for long periods of time.
Symptoms can vary greatly from patient to patient. Much depends on the cause of the disease and its course. We've talked about the main signs that should initially alert you to the idea of a doctor's visit: These are pain and stiffness. If you find these symptoms, you should definitely consult a specialist. The intervention of a doctor is necessary with such serious symptoms, even if it is not osteoarthritis, but something else.
Diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
Diagnosis begins with taking the medical history. The patient tells the specialist about the symptoms and when the first signs of the disease appeared. The patient must remember whether these complaints were preceded by injuries, bruises or dislocations.
Next, the doctor conducts a visual examination of the affected area. At this stage, swelling and other visible manifestations of arthrosis of the shoulder joint can be noted. To assess the mobility of the joint, the doctor asks the patient to undergo primitive tests. For example, bring your hands to the lock behind your back. There is a high probability that the disease will already "manifest" itself at this stage.
Specialists use hardware diagnostic methods.
- radiography. Confirms or refutes the diagnosis. Allows you to establish the localization of the lesion, the inflammatory process. Provides information about the distance between the bones: if they are too close together, the cartilage has started to wear down.
- MRI. Provides information about the condition of tendons and cartilage.
- CT scan. Provides a 3D X-ray of the examination area, allowing you to assess the overall picture.
Modern diagnostic methods not only make it possible to identify arthrosis of the shoulder joint, but also provide information about the stage of the disease and its course. This allows physicians to design therapies accurately.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
The main task is to stop the development of the disease, improve joint mobility, reduce pain and improve the patient's quality of life. Consider the methods doctors use to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.
- medication. Painkillers are used to relieve pain. Blood circulation-enhancing drugs are also used (if necessary).
- Gentle driving mode.
- Diet.
- Massage. The metameric (point) massage is particularly effective.
- metameric method. Designed by Vladimir Andreevich Bersenev. It implies an effect on the affected neurometamers and ultimately on the affected joints. The main procedure is metameric injections, which are injected into the affected area. They stop the degradation and destruction process, improve the mobility of the joints.
As with arthrosis of the knee or hip joint, the treatment only works if the therapy is tailored to the patient's individual characteristics, symptoms and disease stage. There is no template that is effective in all cases.
Conclusion
Arthrosis of the shoulder joint is a complex disease, but with a timely visit to the doctor, the prognosis is positive. If you find yourself with the above symptoms, do not delay the visit to a specialist. Each day of delay complicates the course of treatment and worsens the prognosis. Contact a specialized medical center, where your doctor will develop an individual treatment regimen that will help overcome this disease.