Shoulder osteoarthritis isjoint disease, which is characterized by the degradation, wear and destruction of the cartilage, as well as the 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 put a spoon in the mouth. The symptoms increase and, later, the mobility of the affected arm is severely or completely limited. The quality of life of a person decreases, sleep worsens, since it is almost impossible to choose a position in which pain is eliminated.
There are two main manifestations of the disease. The first is pain (first noted during movement, then - at rest). The second manifestation is muscular restriction (contracture). For example, the patient cannot raise his arms or withdraw them.
Cartilage problems occur in many people. According to statistics, arthrosis is diagnosed in 7% of the population. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is less dangerous than, for example, arthrosis of the hip joint, but the consequences are still frightening. We are talking about the complete immobility of the hand, and this is a catastrophic inconvenience in everyday life and unsuitability for most types of work.
The danger of the disease lies in the fact that the damage that it managed to cause cannot be corrected. It is important to identify arthrosis in the early stages of development, and therefore, if the slightest discomfort occurs, begin to carefully monitor your shoulder.
For the first time, you can try to eliminate the pain that has appeared with medication. The pain can be caused, for example, by strange movements, heavy lifting or sports. If the pain does not go away after 3-4 days, see a doctor. You can first test joint mobility: make a movement that mimics putting on an apron (put your hands behind your back). If pain is felt at the same time, a visit to the doctor should never be postponed. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is an "insidious" disease, and only your vigilance will help to stop it in time.
Causes of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.
- Natural wear of cartilage. The risk group consists of people over 50 years old, but it is worth paying special attention to the state of the joints after 40. At this age, it is desirable to reduce the load on them.
- injuries. The process of degradation of cartilage and bone tissue can trigger mechanical damage. It can be not only a serious injury, but also various microtraumas, which, for example, occur in athletes.
- Playing 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. Arthrosis develops due to the constant tension of the muscles of the shoulder joint.
- Rheumatoid polyarthritis, although infrequent, still leads to the development of arthrosis of the shoulder joint.
- autoimmune disorders.
- Endocrine system disorders.
- Some metabolic diseases, gout, etc.
- genetic predisposition. If there are cases of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint in the family, a person should limit the load on the joint and undergo examinations with a specialist.
Stages of development of arthrosis of the shoulder joint.
- First stage. The joint may occasionally crackle. The pain occurs in the morning and at night. Pain can occur during bad weather. There is discomfort during movements, but after the "development" of the hand, everything returns to normal.
- Second stage. The motor skills of the hand are significantly impaired. At this stage, a person begins to "adapt" his movements to existing inconveniences: for example, while putting on a jacket, one has to avoid putting a strong arm behind the back when putting on a jacket. The symptoms of the first stage intensify.
- Third stage. The joint is completely immobilized. The range of hand movements is limited to a few degrees. The pain is felt constantly. Due to the immobility of the joint, the muscles of the shoulder girdle begin to atrophy.
- Fourth stage. The hand is completely immobilized. The joint hardens and the bones grow together, since there is no cartilage between them. The pain is strong. It is not always eliminated with 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. Arthrosis of the shoulder joint is a complex disease that can only be eliminated by a doctor.
Symptoms of shoulder osteoarthritis
- Pain at rest or during movement.
- Discomfort during changing weather conditions.
- Pain after prolonged exercise lasting a day or more.
- crunch
- Stiffness of movement due to pain.
- Swelling of the joint area.
- Sensation of elevated temperature in this area (sign of an inflammatory process).
- Trouble sleeping due to the inability to lie on the painful side for a long time.
Symptoms can vary greatly from patient to patient. Much depends on the cause of the disease and its course. We talked about the main signs that should prompt the idea of visiting a doctor at first: 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 required, even if it is not osteoarthritis, but something else.
Diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.
Diagnosis begins with collecting the anamnesis. The patient tells the specialist about the symptoms and when the first signs of the disease appeared. The patient must remember whether this discomfort was preceded by injuries, bruises, dislocations.
Next, the doctor performs a visual examination of the affected area. At this stage, swelling and other visible manifestations of arthrosis of the shoulder joint can be determined. To assess the mobility of the joint, the doctor asks the patient to undergo primitive tests. For example, he brings his hands to the lock behind his back. With a high degree of probability, the disease will already "manifest" at this stage.
Specialists use hardware diagnostic methods.
- Bone scan. Confirm or refute the diagnosis. Allows you to establish the localization of the lesion, the inflammatory process. It gives information about the distance between the bones: if they are too close to each other, then the cartilage has started to wear down.
- MRI Gives information on the state of the tendons and cartilage.
- CT scanProvides a 3D X-ray of the area being examined, allowing you to assess the overall image.
Modern diagnostic methods not only make it possible to identify arthrosis of the shoulder joint, but also provide information about the stage of the disease and its course. This allows doctors to design therapies with precision.
Treatment of osteoarthritis 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 that doctors use to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.
- Medicines. Analgesics are used to relieve pain. Medications that improve blood circulation are also used (if necessary).
- Smooth driving mode.
- Diet.
- Massage. Metameric (point) massage is especially effective.
- metameric method. Designed by Vladimir Andreevich Bersenev. It implies an effect on the affected neurometameres and, ultimately, on the affected joints. The main procedure is metameric injections that are injected into the affected area. They stop the process of degradation and destruction, improve joint mobility.
As in the case of osteoarthritis of the knee or hip joint, the treatment only works when the therapy is tailored to the individual characteristics of the patient, the symptoms and the stage of the disease. There is no template that is effective in all cases.
Conclution
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, do not postpone the visit to the 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.