The shoulder joint provides the body with maximum freedom of movement.This joint has a complex structure;the joint capsule of the shoulder can stretch quite strongly, thanks to which the arm can rise and produce rotational movements.This type of flexibility relaxes the ligaments.A failure in the process of nutrition of the joint tissue causes its destruction and serves as the basis for the development of arthrosis of the shoulder joint.
The disease mainly affects people after the age of 45 and is a pathology of the bone and cartilaginous tissue of the shoulder girdle.The disease has an increasing character, manifests itself with age and leads to dystrophic transformations.The disease most often affects the male half of the population.Degeneration of articular cartilage and structural deformations of bone integrity cause inflammatory processes in the synovium.Destructive changes occur almost asymptomatically, up to a point.Painful sensations begin when cracks in the cartilaginous tissue are to a large extent filled with salt deposits.
Stages of shoulder arthritis
There are three stages of progression of shoulder arthritis:
The first phase is characterized by a dull pain in the shoulder area, which often intensifies during the night.The movements are unlimited, but some of them, associated with maximum amplitude, can cause pain.At this stage the disease is recognized by radiographic examination.The image captures the “ring symptom” specific to this phase: the joint cavity has the shape of an ellipsoidal ring.
The second phase manifests itself with more serious symptoms.The pain is felt in the shoulder and scapula area: it is constant.A creaking sound is heard when the hands move.Muscle spasm and pain limit range of motion, and the person has difficulty moving the arm back.
A specially designed test is used.The traumatologist asks the patient to put his hands together behind his back.If a patient suffers from shoulder arthritis, this movement is almost impossible for him due to limited mobility.At this level, an x-ray image shows arthrosis, defined by a narrowing of the joint passage, with the appearance of bony growths and thickening of the articular surfaces of the bones.
In some cases, muscle atrophy is recorded in the shoulder area.
The third phase is accompanied by evident deformations and continuous pain.The patient can only move his hand back and forth.Raising and lowering the arm is absolutely impossible, the joint is deformed.There are bony protrusions on the body, especially in the area where the shoulder and scapula join.The position of the hand is forced, the patient tries to keep the hand in the least painful position.
The disease rarely progresses to the last stage.
More often there are cases when the development of pathological changes stops in the earlier stages.There is a danger of moving to the last stage in patients who do not stop loading the affected joint: professional athletes, people who perform physical labor.
Causes of the disease
The main causes of the pathology are determined:
- Maximum load on shoulders.
- Congenital or acquired joint anomalies.With this pathology, the usual load on the joint can be felt as maximum.In this condition, abrasion of the cartilage occurs.
- Metabolic disorder, which causes salt deposition, lack of nutrition of the cartilaginous tissue.
- Hereditary factor.Children of parents affected by this disease are more predisposed to developing this pathology;they are at risk.
- Trauma or systematic traumatization over a period of time.In such circumstances, post-traumatic arthrosis occurs.
- Acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the joints - arthritis.
- Bad habits and bad diet.
- Autoimmune or hormonal disorders.
- Metabolic disorder.
- Disorders related to the endocrine system.
- Age factor.
Symptoms of the disease
In shoulder arthritis, symptoms appear suddenly.Initially, a person feels discomfort when performing certain actions or after hypothermia.
The main symptoms include:
- Shoulder pain that occurs when you move your arm.The patient feels pain especially in the morning and during climate changes.The patient also feels pain when touching his own shoulder.As the disease progresses, pain indicators begin to bother even in a calm state.Characteristic is the spread of back pain.
- Movement disorder.A patient with osteoarthritis will have difficulty performing basic tasks, such as raising an arm or performing rotational movements.Delaying treatment may cause contractures.
- Cracking and crackling sounds in the joint.The pathological phenomenon is associated with the formation of osteophytes (deposition of salts).At first, the symptom is not very pronounced.However, over time, these sounds intensify and become audible to others.
- Local increase in temperature, joints begin to swell and turn red.
- Cure.When the form is advanced, bone growth appears.Shoulder arthrosis is accompanied by arthrosis of the subacromial joint.
Diagnosis of shoulder arthritis
To determine the extent of the pathological process, a series of diagnostic procedures is prescribed.Based on the results of these studies, treatment is prescribed.The patient is examined by a traumatologist and, at an advanced stage, by a surgeon and a neurologist.The therapeutic program will be adapted according to the indications of the doctor - physiotherapist and massage therapist.
To make a diagnosis, the following are prescribed:
- Blood tests.Aimed at identifying the presence of inflammatory processes and determining their nature, for example, rheumatism.
- X-ray, which allows you to detect joint deformation in the early stages of the disease.
- magnetic resonance imaging.
Treatment options
Modern treatment methods include:
- Conservative.
- Therapeutic exercise.
- Traditional medicine.
- Surgery.
Conservative treatment
The drugs used to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint are aimed at stopping inflammation and suppressing pain.
Applicable:
- anesthetics;
- chondroprotectors;
- muscle relaxants;
- means that they activate blood circulation.
External influences have a positive effect on the body:
- physiotherapy;
- laser therapy;
- cryotherapy;
- magnetotherapy.
In the first stage, ointments can be used to treat the disease.This method is especially effective for arthrosis of the right shoulder.The use of heating agents is recommended.
Therapeutic gymnastics
Includes a series of exercises.Every morning it is necessary to perform flexion and extension, rotation, abduction and adduction movements.
The method promotes:
- Rehabilitation of blood circulation in the joints and metabolism.
- Increase the flexibility of the ligaments.
- Normalization of muscle activity.
The duration of gymnastics should be about 10 minutes.If severe pain occurs, you should stop exercising for a while.Warm compresses are recommended before and after exercise.During the treatment period it is necessary to exclude spicy and salty foods from the diet.Your diet should include foods containing a high percentage of collagen.
Treatment with traditional methods
Folk remedies are allowed in the first degree of the disease;it is at this stage that these remedies can have the desired effect.This technique should be combined with taking medications and therapeutic exercises.
Popular methods include:
- The use of propolis mixed with pork fat.This mixture is used to cleanse the sore shoulder.
- Compresses with cabbage juice.
- Cabbage leaves brushed with honey.They are placed on the inflamed areas, this helps relieve pain and reduce the inflammatory process.
Operation
In advanced cases, when fusion of bone tissue and muscle atrophy is detected, treatment is carried out surgically.During the surgery, the epiphysis of the shoulder and scapula are replaced with metal prostheses.
The surgery allows the patient to return full range of motion.
Prevention
You can protect the shoulder joint from arthrosis if you timely eliminate the causes that provoke the destruction of the joint, and you should also:
- Avoid excessive stress.
- After injuries, endure a recovery period.
- Eat well.
At the first signs and pains, consult a doctor to determine the cause of the disease and stop it in time.