Osteoarthritis of the shoulder isjoint disease, which is characterized by degradation, wear and tear of cartilage, as well as adjacent bone tissues. The disease is also called adhesive capsulitis, humeroscapular polyarthrosis, frozen shoulder syndrome.
The disease belongs to the category of chronic, progressive. At first, the disease develops, as a rule, unnoticed by the patient. At this time, it can only be diagnosed by taking an x-ray. Then the first minor symptoms appear: for example, pain when trying to bring a spoon to the mouth. Symptoms increase and, as a result, the mobility of the affected arm is severely or completely limited. A person's quality of life decreases, sleep worsens, as it is almost impossible to choose a position where pain is eliminated.
There are two main manifestations of the disease. The first is pain (observed first during movement, then - at rest). The second manifestation is muscle restriction (contracture). For example, the patient cannot raise his arms or bring them back.
Cartilage problems occur in many people. According to statistics, osteoarthritis 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 dire. We are talking about the complete immobility of the hand, and this is a catastrophic 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 managed to cause cannot be corrected. It is important to identify osteoarthritis in the early stages of development, and then, if the slightest discomfort occurs, start monitoring the shoulder closely.
For the first time, the pain that has appeared can be attempted to be eliminated with drugs. Pain can be caused, for example, by clumsy movements, heavy lifting, or sports. If the pain does not go away after 3-4 days, go to the doctor. You can test joint mobility first: make a movement that mimics wearing an apron (put your hands behind your back). If pain is felt at the same time, a trip to the doctor should never be postponed. Osteoarthritis 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 wear of the cartilage. The risk group consists of people over the age of 50, but it is worth paying special attention to the condition of the joints after 40. At this age, it is desirable to reduce the load on them.
- Injuries. The degradation process of cartilage and bone tissue can trigger mechanical damage. It can be not only a serious injury, but also several microtraumas, which, for example, occur in athletes.
- Practicing a sport that puts a lot of stress 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.
- Work associated with the transfer of weights. Osteoarthritis develops due to the constant tension of the muscles of the shoulder joint.
- Rheumatoid polyarthritis, although rarely, still leads to the development of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.
- autoimmune diseases.
- Disorders of the endocrine system.
- Some metabolic diseases, gout, etc.
- genetic predisposition. If there are cases of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint in the family, a person must limit the load on the joint, undergo examinations with 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. Pain can occur in bad weather. The discomfort during the movements exists, but after the "development" of the hand everything returns to normal.
- Second phase. Motor skills of the hand deteriorate significantly. At this stage, a person begins to "adapt" his movements to the existing drawbacks: for example, while wearing a jacket, one must avoid throwing a strong arm behind his back when wearing a jacket. Symptoms of the first stage intensify.
- Third stage. The joint is completely immobilized. The range of hand movements is limited to a few degrees. Pain is felt constantly. Due to the immobility of the joint, the shoulder girdle muscles begin to atrophy.
- Fourth stage. The hand is completely immobilized. The joint hardens and the bones grow together, as there is no cartilage between them. The pain is severe. It is not always removed by painkillers.
Already in the second stage, the symptoms of the disease are clearly visible, and therefore the disease rarely reaches the third and fourth stages. This happens if the patient completely ignores the problem or tries to get rid of it with the help of self-medication. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is a complex disease that only a doctor can eliminate.
Shoulder Osteoarthritis Symptoms
- Pain at rest or during movement.
- Discomfort during changing weather conditions.
- Pain after prolonged exercise that lasts a day or more.
- nibble.
- Stiffness of movement due to pain.
- Swelling of the joint area.
- A feeling of high temperature in this area (a sign of an inflammatory process).
- Sleep problems due to the inability to lie down on the pain side for a long time.
Symptoms can vary greatly from patient to patient. Much depends on the cause of the disease and its course. At first we talked about the main signs that should give rise to the idea of visiting a doctor - these are pain and stiffness. If you find these symptoms, you should definitely visit a specialist. The intervention of a doctor with such severe symptoms is necessary, even if it is not about osteoarthritis, but something else.
Shoulder Joint Osteoarthritis Diagnosis
Diagnosis begins with taking anamnesis. The patient tells the specialist about the symptoms and when the signs of the disease first appeared. The patient must remember whether this discomfort was preceded by injuries, bruises, dislocations.
Next, the doctor conducts a visual examination of the affected area. At this stage it is possible to determine swelling and other visible manifestations of arthrosis of the shoulder joint. To assess the mobility of the joint, the doctor asks the patient to undergo primitive tests. For example, he puts his hands close to the lock behind his back. With a high degree of probability, the disease will "manifest" itself already at this stage.
Specialists use hardware diagnostic methods.
- X-ray. Confirm or disprove the diagnosis. Allows you to establish the localization of the lesion, the inflammatory process. It provides information on the distance between the bones: if they are too close to each other, the cartilage has started to wear out.
- magnetic resonance. Provides information on the condition of the tendons and cartilage.
- CT scan. Provides a 3D radiograph of the area under examination, which allows you to evaluate the overall image.
Modern diagnostic methods not only allow you to identify arthrosis of the shoulder joint, but also provide information on the stage of the disease and its course. This allows doctors to precisely design therapies.
Treatment of arthrosis of the shoulder joint
The main task is to stop the development of the disease, improve joint mobility, relieve pain and improve the patient's quality of life. Consider the methods doctors use to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.
- Medicines. Pain relievers are used to relieve pain. Medicines that improve blood circulation are also used (if needed).
- Gentle driving mode.
- Diet.
- Massage. The metameric massage (point) is particularly effective.
- metameric method. Designed by Vladimir Andreevich Bersenev. It implies an effect on the affected neurometamers and ultimately the affected joints. The main procedure is metameric injections which are injected into the affected area. They stop the process of decay and destruction, improve joint mobility.
As in the case of osteoarthritis of the knee or hip joint, treatment only works when the therapy is tailored to the individual characteristics, symptoms and stage of the patient's disease. There is no effective model in all cases.
Conclusion
Osteoarthritis 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, don't put off a visit to a specialist for later. Each day of delay complicates the treatment procedure and worsens the prognosis. Contact a specialized medical center where your doctor will develop an individual treatment regimen that will help overcome this ailment.