When confirming a diagnosis such as osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, the symptoms and treatment are largely interrelated. This pathology refers to degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the musculoskeletal system. This disorder is characterized by the gradual erosion of cartilage tissue and key elements of articulation. According to statistics, more than 45% of modern elderly people have manifestations of this disease of the shoulder joint. This pathology is extremely dangerous because it can lead to early disability. At first, the shoulder joints crack, but then more obvious symptoms appear.
Early signs of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
Traumatic arthrosis of the shoulder joint is most common in young people. The causes of this pathological condition are based on tissue damage. Even minor injuries can lead to the development of the disease. In this case, the pathology manifests itself more rapidly than in the background of the natural aging process compared to tissue damage and continues in a more acute form. Thus, when the characteristic symptoms of this pathological condition appear, targeted treatment is required to prevent the problem from getting worse.
In most cases, this disorder is asymptomatic for a long time. Initially, osteoarthritis of the right shoulder may present with a slight decrease in joint mobility after significant physical stress. There are also short-term dull pains. Such signs of the development of pathology can be ignored by a person for a long time.
It should be noted that deforming osteoarthritis of the left shoulder joint (DOA) is many times less common than right. This is due to the characteristics of the load distribution when lifting weights in everyday life. However, in this case, in the early stages of the pathological process, such symptoms are much more intense. There is often a characteristic crisis in the shoulder with certain hand movements. In this case, the pain may be completely absent. Shoulder-scapular arthrosis of the left shoulder joint can also manifest itself with small morphological changes in the structure of the tissues for a long time on the right.
In this pathological condition, even after a short rest, there may be severe stiffness. It is difficult to move your hand completely. In some cases, anxiety may persist. In the morning, the hand with osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is difficult to follow. There may be severe numbness. In addition, with this disease, already in the early stages of development, there is a violation of muscle tone in the affected area. In the future, with osteoarthritis, the shoulder joints will be compressed while performing various hand movements. Even in this case, there may be no strong pain.
Many shoulder diseases are a contraindication to emergency military service. However, the changes must be clearly stated. The military often does not call young people with severe osteoarthritis after a shoulder injury. This should be taken into account when undergoing a medical examination.
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
If the initial symptoms of acromioclavicular junction are not taken into account by the patient himself, the situation may worsen in the future. Under the acromion is an element of the shoulder complex, consisting of the bones of the shoulder, scapula and collarbone. It is this element that is affected against the background of significant thinning and destruction of cartilage tissue. Symptoms are very different in stages 2 and 3 of the development of a pathological condition such as osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.
In this case, changes in the structure of tissues are expressed. Already in the second stage of the pathological process, the shoulder is clearly cracked when the arm is raised and moved to the sides. The joint is gradually deformed, which is accompanied by episodes of the inflammatory process. In this case, even when lifting a small weight, pain may appear. Often there is tension in the neck muscles. The temperature rises in the affected joint area. In addition, swelling and edema are observed.
Pain persists in the 3rd stage of the development of a crisis and pathological process in the shoulder joint. Gradually, the limitation of joint mobility increases. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder is accompanied by an increase in sensitivity to changes in weather conditions. In cold and rainy weather, the patient may complain of pain in the shoulders. When a person raises his arm, the symptoms of the disease intensify. In women, aggravation of this pathology is observed in the postmenopausal period. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder leads to the complete destruction of articular surfaces and bone elements. This causes immobilization of the joint. Such an unfavorable course is extremely rare. Usually, the reasons for its development are the lack of adequate treatment and increased physical stress on the joints.
Diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
When the characteristic symptoms of the pathological condition appear, you should contact a specialist as soon as possible. Considering which doctor treats osteoarthritis, it is necessary to take into account that in some highly specialized centers the disease is stopped under the supervision of an arthrologist. In most cases, patients are assisted by a traumatologist, rheumatologist or orthopedist. A comprehensive diagnosis of shoulder joint disease is made under the supervision of a number of doctors. It should be borne in mind that a pathological condition such as osteoarthritis progresses slowly, but in the absence of targeted therapy, the result can be extremely unfavorable.
The specialist collects the most accurate medical history and evaluates the patient's complaints. Physical examination is carried out.
This allows the doctor to suspect a pathology while studying the cause of the contraction of the joints during rotation.
Limited mobility and other symptoms may indicate a problem. However, a number of studies and analyzes are needed to understand what to do to eliminate the symptoms. To make an accurate diagnosis of DOA of the shoulder joint, it is necessary to conduct a conventional X-ray in two projections. In rare cases, doctors have to resort to more specific research methods that allow to obtain accurate information about the condition of the joint. A thorough examination may require:
- Ultrasound of the affected area;
- MRT;
- scintigraphy;
- CT;
- thermography;
- arthroscopy.
In the process of diagnosing the pathology, general blood and urine tests are performed. Such studies may reveal signs of an inflammatory process. In addition, changes in laboratory tests may indicate the addition of arthritis, which is very common in this condition.
Medical treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
After a thorough examination of the condition of the shoulder joint, the doctor will choose adequate therapy. If the disease is in the acute stage of development, then when thinking about how to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, external fixation of the joint with an incision or elastic bandage can be prescribed. This reduces the intensity of symptomatic manifestations. The use of a number of drugs during this period is indicated to eliminate the bright signs of pathology.
When there is a clear pain syndrome, drugs belonging to the group of analgesics are usually prescribed. In addition, injections of corticosteroids into the joint cavity may be recommended. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are effective. They are used for long courses, because they help to eliminate not only the inflammatory process, but also edema. In addition, they reduce the tension in the neck muscles.
Chondroprotectors are often used for osteoarthritis. These drugs help reduce the rate of cartilage tissue destruction. Such tools are especially effective in the diagnosis of post-traumatic arthrosis of the shoulder joint in the early stages of the patient's development. Often glucocorticosteroid hormonal drugs are included in the therapy regimen. These drugs are used to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, which is accompanied by severe inflammation of the tissues. In addition, these drugs have a pronounced immunosuppressive and antiallergic effect. So when it comes to treating osteoarthritis with an autoimmune reaction, you can't do without such medications.
Medications to prevent osteoarthritis are selected individually by the doctor for each patient. This will give you the best effect. However, treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint with drugs alone is often not advisable. It is necessary to use physiotherapy methods, diet and certain rules of behavior to eliminate the manifestations and prevent the aggravation of this pathological condition. Currently, the answer to the question of whether osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint can be treated is negative. However, with a properly integrated approach, it is possible to achieve a significant improvement in the situation.
Physiotherapy to eliminate arthrosis of the shoulder joint
There are a number of procedures and exercises that can alleviate the condition of people suffering from this disease. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that any physiotherapeutic manipulation should be agreed with the doctor, because under certain conditions they can aggravate the course of a pathology such as osteoarthritis of the ACS. Often, treatment of the right shoulder joint with DOA includes:
- massage course;
- paraffin therapy;
- exercise therapy;
- UHF;
- hydrogen sulfide and radon baths;
- ultrasound exposure;
- electrophoresis;
- magnetic field therapy.
In addition, a course of manual therapy may be recommended. How many sessions an osteopath has depends on how quickly the DOA syndrome progresses. It often takes a long time to get a positive result. In most cases, a clear improvement can be achieved with osteopathic treatment and the joints stop tearing. To get rid of this disease, you need to learn how to properly perform a complex of exercise therapy. Such exercises are required until the end of life to maintain normal joint function in the future.
Therapeutic exercises are first studied under the supervision of a physiotherapist, both in the case of knee injuries and in cases of impaired articulation of the spine. This will prevent the joint from being overloaded and at the same time help strengthen the muscles that serve as its frame. Such damage to the clavicle and the shoulder-shoulder joint area remains in the patient indefinitely, but its manifestations are effectively treated with an integrated approach.
Diet therapy to eliminate the manifestation of the disease
Proper nutrition is equally important in arthritis. This should be aimed at reducing body weight. At the same time, it is very important that the products included in the daily diet fully meet the body's need for protein, vitamins and minerals. For osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, the diet should be aimed at reducing the amount of salt consumed. The doctor's recommendations should be taken into account when choosing foods that can be eaten.
With a deformed shoulder, it is recommended to include foods high in collagen in the diet. These include jellies, jellies and strong bone broths. With such diseases of the musculoskeletal system, it is advisable to increase the consumption of high-fat dairy products, because they contain high amounts of calcium, which are needed to repair damaged cartilage tissue.
In the case of a disease such as shoulder arthrosis, it is important to include oatmeal, buckwheat and barley porridge in the diet. Nutrition with osteoarthritis has certain limitations. Products made of white flour and sweets should be discarded. The diet for this pathology involves the use of a large number of vegetables and fruits. These products help speed up metabolic processes and are distinguished by an increased content of vitamins and minerals. Their use helps to quickly cope with a disease such as deforming arthrosis of the shoulder joint. When planning a meal for osteoarthritis, any semi-finished products, canned food, marinades should be completely abandoned.
Vegetables and meat should be steamed or steamed. It is also allowed to cook food in the oven. It is very important to get used to eating small portions to suppress clavicular arthrosis, as well as coxarthrosis. Systematic overeating contributes to weight gain and adversely affects the speed of metabolic processes.
Surgical treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
Surgery is usually prescribed in stage 3 of the development of the pathological process, and in addition, if the disease progresses rapidly and can not be suppressed by conservative methods. Surgical treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint can be used in the presence of severe deformity. In this case, the installation of an endoprosthesis is indicated, and the damaged elements of the joint are replaced with artificial ones.
This is the only way to prevent disease if the articulation is severely deformed, so the mobility of the hand is impaired.
Proper surgery and then a course of rehabilitation allows a person to return to normal life.
If osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is treated without complications, the patient can forget about the pain and discomfort for a long time, raise his arm and do other things with it. Modern endoprostheses are made of high-strength polymers and titanium. They are characterized by a long service life.
Folk remedies for shoulder osteoarthritis
Various recipes based on herbs and other natural substances can be used only as an adjunct to exposure, and only after agreement with the attending physician on the appropriateness of such therapy. When a problem arises, how to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint with folk remedies, they often use a mixture of propolis and lard. To prepare this composition, these components must be taken in equal proportions. To mix them well, they must first be dissolved in a water bath. The resulting composition should be rubbed into the affected area.
It is necessary to take a decoction of corn stigmas to eliminate inflammation and painful manifestations. To prepare it, you need to take about 2-3 tablespoons. l. Infuse with vegetable raw materials and boiling water. Insist the remedy for 5-10 minutes. You should consume 1 tablespoon before each meal. l. liquids. The course of treatment can be continued until the acute symptoms of the joint injury disappear.
Herbal baths can have a certain positive effect. To prepare them, you need to add a cool decoction of herbs such as chamomile, burdock and nettle to warm water. Be sure to rub with a dry towel after the procedure.
In addition, oatmeal compresses can eliminate the acute manifestations of deforming arthrosis of the shoulder joint. First you need to infuse this herbal product and remove it to infuse for 15-20 minutes. The finished product should be placed on a folded gauze several times and fixed to the shoulder with a bandage and adhesive plaster. The compress should be kept overnight.
In folk medicine, burdock leaves are often used to eliminate the manifestations of this disease. They need to be fixed to the shoulder blade and left overnight. The course of treatment with this tool is about 2 weeks.