Shoulder osteoarthritis is a pathological process that occurs in patients over 50 years of age. Like many other diseases, the disease can provoke the appearance of uncomfortable sensations. The initial form of the disease is characterized as arthrosis of the first degree of the shoulder joint, which has a certain set of manifestations and symptomatic factors that can adversely affect further development.
Causes and symptoms of occurrence
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is a violation of the integrity of the cartilaginous joint and its elements. Very often, the disease process begins to actively develop, as a result of which the patient is diagnosed with arthritis and inflammation.
The disease can occur against the background of exposure to various factors. The most common include:
- articular joint injury (dislocation, hematoma, fracture) characterized by damage to the capsule or rupture of the ligaments;
- identification of diseases of the cardiovascular system in a patient (processes, as a result of which the organs and systems do not receive the optimal amount of blood and oxygen);
- the presence of excess body weight (there is an increased load on the joints).
Symptomatic manifestations of arthrosis of the shoulder joint can manifest themselves with different strength and frequency. At the initial stage of the development of the disease, the patient has a manifestation of minor pain or discomfort (especially in the process of finding the shoulder in a certain position). After that, for a certain period of time, the disease process subsides, after which it is felt again while actively developing. Pain in the joint, as a rule, has a pulling or aching character, its intensity varies depending on the load. Pain syndrome may have a different localization. It can be distributed throughout the shoulder area or only in certain joint areas. As a result, the motor activity of the patient's upper limb is disturbed and the pathological process transitions into a chronic form. Symptoms and treatment of the disease, which is selected subsequently, largely depend on the age characteristics of the patient.
Diagnostics
Before expressing the conclusion, the specialist doctor instructs the patient to carry out diagnostic measures. At the first appointment, the doctor conducts a comprehensive examination of the affected articular joint, after which he collects the most detailed information about the patient's lifestyle, professional activities, and the details of the injury. In the process of palpation, the nature of the mobility of the joint and the disease process are studied.
X-rays are recommended for more information. The resulting image makes it possible to determine the nature of the development of the disease and the stage of its abandonment.
When making a diagnosis, it is especially important to take into account the presence of concomitant diseases in the body.
1 degree of disease
The diagnosis is made on the basis of available information about the patient's symptoms and general well-being. In this case, a general blood and urine test cannot provide the necessary information about the joint disease process. A laboratory study of joint fluid in arthrosis of the shoulder joint of the first degree reveals an increased viscosity of biological material and an increased protein content. Computed and MRI images are considered no less informative. Despite the accuracy and information content, the procedure has a relatively high cost, so not all patients can afford such an examination.
2nd grade
When arthrosis of the second degree of the shoulder joint is detected, in addition to examination and questioning, the following diagnostic methods are used: ultrasound, arthroscopy, scintigraphy and thermography. All these techniques make it possible to establish the nature of the narrowing of the joint space, the compaction of bone tissue, the presence of cystic neoplasms or fragments of bone tissue in the joint area. Ultrasound examination of the disease helps to determine the thickness of the cartilage on the surface of all areas, to identify the possible presence of erosions and wen.
3rd grade
Identification of arthrosis of the shoulder joint of the third degree implies an expanded examination option. In addition to the basic methods, the patient must pass a biochemical blood test (to identify markers of the inflammatory process), immunological studies to determine the stage of the disease process, and a biopsy of cartilage tissue, which allows the patient to be diagnosed. as accurate as possible.
Treatment
Despite the form of the pathological process of the joint revealed in the patient, he will have to undergo long-term treatment. Traditional and non-traditional therapy methods are aimed at eliminating the main signs:
- reduction in the manifestation of pain;
- elimination of signs of the inflammatory process;
- normalization of the general condition of cartilage tissue;
- limb mobility recovery;
- normalization of metabolic processes in the body.
Treatment of deforming arthrosis of the shoulder joint of the second degree involves the use of complex therapy, which involves the use of several therapeutic methods at once.
Medical treatment
Treatment of the disease with the help of drugs involves the use of means of various effects:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - eliminate the signs of the inflammatory process, manifestations of pain in the joint. They are prescribed exclusively by a specialist doctor, since the complexes are capable of provoking the appearance of a negative reaction of the body. They are recommended to be taken with caution to those patients who have a problem in the functionality of the gastrointestinal tract, since the components of the composition have the ability to provoke the development of ulcerative formations.
- intra-articular block. The procedure for joint disease involves the use of corticosteroids in the form of injections injected directly into the affected area.
- Hormonal and non-hormonal topical preparations. They can be applied in the form of gels or ointments.
In this case, the use of drugs against joint disease is extremely necessary, since all other methods of therapy have a cumulative effect and give positive results only after a certain period of time.
Physiotherapy and exercise
Physiotherapeutic procedures and physiotherapy exercises are considered no less effective and useful. Most often, with a joint disease, they are prescribed:
- laser therapy - improves blood flow and normalizes metabolic processes in the body;
- acupuncture - allows you to activate the body's own forces in the fight against the pathological process;
- magnetotherapy - strengthens the body's immune system, which allows the damaged area of the joint to heal more actively due to the restoration of blood flow;
- hirudotherapy - is the implementation of therapeutic measures with the help of leeches, it is effective in detecting stages 1 and 2 of the disease;
- manual therapy - involves massage not only by a specialist, but also independently at home.
Do not forget about physical education. Gymnastics in case of arthrosis of the shoulder joint plays an important role, so classes should be regular and take into account all the features of the disease process. It is necessary to discuss with the doctor in advance the permissible load, what exercises can be performed and what is the duration of classes for such a disease.
Surgery
In the absence of the effectiveness of the above methods of treating the disease and in identifying the continued development of the disease, doctors are forced to resort to surgical treatment.
The procedure usually involves the installation of a stent. The method is considered invasive and makes it possible to replace the destroyed fragments of the joint with artificial options.
The technique allows not only to eliminate the symptoms that appear, but also to restore the lost activity of the upper limb.
Home remedies
In addition to traditional methods of treating the disease, traditional medicine recipes are considered no less effective. To relieve pain manifestations of the joint disease process, it is recommended to use cabbage or burdock. Before use, the plant must be spread to the stage of juicing, after which it must be applied to the shoulder. The compress is covered with a cloth on top to keep the heat as long as possible. The procedure takes several hours.
Many experts strongly recommend bathing with herbal mixtures for joints. It can be prepared from mustard and hay powder in a certain proportion. The duration of the bath is from 15 minutes to half an hour. After the procedure, it is advisable to dress warmly. The use of cinquefoil-based compresses is allowed. Previously, the medicinal plant is dried. To prepare a compress for joint disease, you will need three tablespoons of the main component and pork fat. Many experts recommend adding a teaspoon of red pepper. This will improve the blood circulation process. Such actions are allowed in the absence of discomfort, violations of the integrity of the skin (in the form of reddening of the epidermis), the absence of an increase in body temperature and signs of an inflammatory process. The use of the remedy for a disease in most cases is carried out when a chronic form of the disease process is detected.
Prevention
To prevent the occurrence of joint diseases and their further spread, the patient should be given the most sparing treatment. This is especially necessary if the patient is elderly and elderly. Mandatory favorable conditions include optimal body temperature, compliance with personal hygiene rules and established sanitary requirements, timely exercise, control of food quality and intake of necessary vitamins and microelements, visiting a specialist doctor at least twice a year.