When confirming a diagnosis such as osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, symptoms and treatment are largely intertwined. This pathology refers to degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the musculoskeletal system. This disorder is characterized by gradual wear and tear of cartilaginous tissue and key elements of the joint. According to statistics, more than 45% of modern elderly people have pronounced manifestations of this disease of the shoulder joint. This pathology is extremely dangerous, as it can cause early disability. At first, the shoulder joints crack, but then more pronounced symptoms appear.
Primary signs of shoulder joint osteoarthritis
In relatively young people, traumatic osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is most often seen. The causes of this pathological condition are rooted in tissue damage. Even small injuries can provoke the development of the disease. In this case, the pathology manifests itself more quickly and proceeds more acutely than with tissue damage in the context of the natural aging process. Thus, when the characteristic symptoms of this pathological condition appear, targeted treatment is necessary to prevent the problem from worsening.
In most cases, this disorder is asymptomatic for a long time. At first, osteoarthritis of the right shoulder may manifest as a slight decrease in joint mobility after significant physical stress. There are also short-term bouts of dull pain. Such signs of the development of pathology can be ignored by a person for a long time.
It should be noted that osteoarthritis deformans (DOA) of the left shoulder joint is observed many times less than the right. This is due to the peculiarities of load distribution when lifting weights in everyday life. However, in this case, the symptoms are much more intense, even in the early stages of the development of the pathological process. With certain hand movements, there is often a characteristic crunch in the shoulder. Painful sensations in this case may be completely absent. Shoulder-scapular arthrosis of the left shoulder joint, as well as the right, for a long time can be manifested by small morphological changes in the tissue structure.
In this pathological condition, even after a short period of rest, there can be severe stiffness. It becomes difficult to fully move the hand. In some cases, discomfort may persist. Hand with osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint in the morning obeys with difficulty. Severe numbness may be present. In addition, with this disease, already in the early stages of its development, there is a violation of muscle tone in the affected area. In the future, with osteoarthritis, the shoulder joint contracts when performing various hand movements. Even in this case, intense painful sensations may be absent.
Many shoulder diseases are a contraindication to urgent military service. However, changes must be expressed clearly. Often, the army does not call in young men with severe post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the shoulder. This must be taken into account when passing a medical exam.
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
If the primary signs of the acromioclavicular joint were ignored 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 clavicle. It is this element that is affected in the context of significant thinning and destruction of cartilage tissue. In stages 2 and 3 of the development of a pathological condition such as osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, the symptoms become very distinct.
In this case, changes in tissue structure are pronounced. Already in the 2nd stage of the pathological process, when lifting the arm and moving it to the sides, the shoulder clearly pops. The joint is gradually deformed, accompanied by episodes of the inflammatory process. In this case, when lifting a small weight, pain may appear. There is often tension in the neck muscles. The temperature in the affected joint area is increased. In addition, swelling and swelling are observed.
A crisis in the shoulder joint and pain at the 3rd stage of the development of the pathological process constantly persist. Gradually, the limitation of joint mobility increases. Shoulder osteoarthritis is accompanied by an increased sensitivity to changes in weather conditions. In cold and rainy weather, the patient may complain of aches and pains in the shoulders. When raising the arm, the symptoms of the disease in a person intensify. In women, the worsening of the manifestations of this pathology is observed in the post-menopausal period. Shoulder osteoarthritis leads to complete destruction of joint surfaces and bony elements. This causes immobilization of the limb. Such an unfavorable course is extremely rare. Usually, the causes of its development are rooted in the absence of proper treatment and the presence of increased physical stress on the joint.
Diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
When characteristic signs of a pathological condition appear, you should contact a specialist as soon as possible. Considering which doctor treats osteoarthritis, it should be taken into account that this disease in some highly specialized centers is stopped under the control of an arthrologist. In most cases, patients are seen by a traumatologist, rheumatologist, or orthopedist. Comprehensive diagnosis of shoulder joint disease is carried out under the supervision of various doctors. It should be borne in mind that a pathological condition such as arthrosis progresses slowly, but in the absence of targeted therapy, the outcome can be extremely unfavorable.
The specialist collects the most accurate history and assesses the patient's complaints. A physical exam is performed.
This allows the doctor to suspect a pathology by finding out why the joints break during rotation.
Restricted mobility and other symptoms may indicate a problem. However, to understand what to do to eliminate the symptoms, several studies and analyzes are needed. To make an accurate diagnosis of AOD of the shoulder joint, it is necessary to perform a conventional radiography in two projections. In rare cases, doctors need to turn to more specific research methods that allow them to obtain accurate data on the condition of the joint. A comprehensive exam may require:
- Ultrasound of the affected area;
- magnetic resonance;
- scintigraphy;
- CT;
- thermography;
- arthroscopy.
In the process of diagnosing the pathology, general blood and urine tests are performed. Such studies may reveal signs of the inflammatory process. In addition, indicators of alterations obtained in laboratory tests may indicate the addition of arthritis, which is often observed in this case.
Medical treatment of shoulder joint osteoarthritis
After a comprehensive examination of the condition of the shoulder joint, the doctor will select an appropriate therapy. If the disease is in the acute stage of development, when considering how to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, external fixation of the joint with a cut or elastic bandage may be prescribed. This reduces the intensity of symptomatic manifestations. During this period, the use of various drugs is shown to eliminate the bright signs of pathology.
In the presence of a pronounced pain syndrome, drugs belonging to the group of analgesics are usually prescribed. In addition, corticosteroid injections 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 of the neck muscles.
From osteoarthritis, chondroprotectors are often used. These medications help to reduce the rate at which cartilage tissue is destroyed. Such remedies are especially effective when a patient has been diagnosed with post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint at an early stage of its development. Often, glucocorticosteroid hormonal drugs are introduced into the therapeutic regimen. These medications are used to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, which accompanies severe tissue inflammation. In addition, these drugs have a pronounced immunosuppressive and antiallergic effect. So, when the question arises of how to cure arthrosis, which is accompanied by an autoimmune reaction, one cannot do without these drugs.
To suppress arthrosis, drugs are selected by the doctor individually for each patient. This will give you the best effect. However, treating osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint with medication alone in most cases is not advisable. To eliminate the manifestations and avoid exacerbations of this pathological condition, it is necessary to use physiotherapy methods, follow a diet and certain rules of behavior. Currently, the answer to the question of whether shoulder joint osteoarthritis can be cured is negative. However, with the right integrated approach, it is possible to achieve a pronounced improvement in the condition.
Physiotherapy for the elimination of osteoarthritis 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 taken into account that any physiotherapeutic manipulations must be agreed with the doctor, because in certain circumstances they can worsen the course of a pathology such as osteoarthritis of the ACS. Often with DOA of the right shoulder joint, treatment involves:
- massage course;
- paraffin therapy;
- exercise therapy;
- UHF;
- hydrogen sulphide and radon baths;
- ultrasound exposure;
- electrophoresis;
- magnetic field therapy.
In addition, a course of manual therapy may be recommended. How many sessions the osteopath should have largely depends on how quickly the DOA syndrome progresses. It often takes a long time to resort to it to achieve a positive result. In most cases, with osteopathic treatment, a clear improvement can be achieved and the joints stop creaking. To recover from this disease, you need to learn how to properly perform a complex of exercise therapy. In the future, to maintain normal joint function, it is necessary to do these exercises for the rest of your life.
Both in case of damage to the knee joint and in case of violation of the integrity of the scapula joint, therapeutic exercises are first learned under the supervision of a physical therapist. This will avoid straining the joint and at the same time help to strengthen the muscles that serve as its structure. Such damage in the region of the clavicle and shoulder-shoulder joint remains with the patient forever, but its manifestations are effectively treated with an integrated approach.
Diet therapy for the relief of the manifestation of the disease
Equally important is proper nutrition in arthritis. It should aim to reduce body weight. At the same time, it is very important that the products included in the daily diet fully satisfy the body's needs for proteins, vitamins and minerals. The diet for osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint should aim to reduce the amount of salt consumed. When choosing the foods that can be consumed, you need to take into account the doctor's recommendations.
With a deformed shoulder, it is recommended to introduce in the diet dishes containing a lot of collagen. These include jellies, jellies and strong bone broths. With these diseases of the musculoskeletal system, it is desirable to increase the consumption of high-fat dairy products, as they contain a high content of calcium, which is necessary to restore damaged cartilage tissue.
In the presence of a disease such as osteoarthritis of the shoulder, it is imperative to introduce oatmeal, buckwheat and barley in the diet. Nutrition with arthrosis has certain limitations. Products made with 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 to increase the speed of metabolic processes and are distinguished by an increase in the content of vitamins and minerals. Its use helps to quickly deal with even a disease such as deforming osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint. When planning meals for osteoarthritis, any semi-finished products, canned foods, marinades should be completely abandoned.
Vegetables and meats should be steamed or boiled. It is also allowed to bake dishes in the oven. To suppress clavicular arthrosis, as well as coxarthrosis, it is very important to get used to eating food in small portions. Systematic overeating contributes to an increase in body weight and negatively affects the rate of metabolic processes.
Surgical treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
Surgical intervention is usually prescribed at stage 3 of the development of the pathological process and, further, if the disease progresses rapidly and cannot be suppressed by conservative methods. Surgical treatment for osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint can be used in the presence of severe deformity. In this situation, the installation of an endoprosthesis is indicated, the damaged elements of the joint are replaced with artificial ones.
This is the only way to suppress the disease if the joint is very deformed, because of which the mobility of the hand is impaired.
Proper surgical intervention and then a course of rehabilitation allows you to return a person to a normal life.
If deforming osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint was treated without complications, then the patient can forget about the pain and discomfort for a long time by lifting the arm and making other movements with it. Modern endoprostheses are made of high strength polymers and titanium. They are characterized by a long service life.
Folk remedies for osteoarthritis of the shoulder
Various recipes based on herbs and other natural ingredients can only be used as an additional method of exposure and after agreeing on the suitability of such therapy with the treating physician. When the problem arises, such as treating osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint with folk remedies, they often use a mixture of propolis and pork fat. To prepare this composition, these components must be taken in equal proportions. In order for them to mix well, they must first be melted in a water bath. The resulting composition must be rubbed into the affected area.
To eliminate inflammation and painful manifestations, it is necessary to take a decoction of corn stigmas. To prepare it, you need to take about 2-3 tbsp. I. vegetable raw materials and brew with boiling water. It is necessary to insist on the remedy for 5-10 minutes. Before each meal, you need to consume 1 tbsp. I. liquids. The course of treatment can be continued until the acute symptoms of joint damage disappear.
Herbal baths can have a certain positive effect. To prepare them, you need to add a fresh decoction of medicinal plants like chamomile, burdock and nettle to hot water. After the procedure, be sure to rub with a dry towel.
In addition, oatmeal compresses can eliminate acute manifestations of deforming osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint. First, this herbal product must be prepared and removed for infusion for 15-20 minutes. The finished product must be placed in gauze folded several times and fixed on the shoulder with a bandage and tape. It is necessary to keep the compress all night.
In folk medicine, burdock leaves are often used to eliminate the manifestations of this disease. They need to be fixed on the shoulder blade and left overnight. The course of treatment with this remedy is about 2 weeks.