Shoulder osteoarthritis is a pathological process that occurs in patients over the age of 50. Like many other diseases, the disease can provoke the occurrence of unpleasant sensations. The initial form of the disease is characterized by arthrosis of the 1st degree of the shoulder joint, which has a certain set of manifestations and symptomatic factors that can adversely affect the subsequent development.
Causes and symptoms of occurrence
Arthrosis of the shoulder joint is a violation of the integrity of the cartilage joint and its elements. Most often, the pathological 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:
- joint injury (dislocation, bruise, 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 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 occur with different strength and frequency. At the initial stage of the development of the disease, the patient has a manifestation of mild pain or discomfort (especially in the process of searching the shoulder in a certain position). After that, for a certain period of time, the disease process subsides, after which it makes itself felt again, while actively developing. Pain in the joint, as a rule, has a pulling or aching character, their intensity varies depending on the load. Pain syndrome can have a different localization. It can be distributed over the entire shoulder area or only in some joint areas. As a result, the patient's motor activity of the upper limb is disturbed and the transition of the pathological process into a chronic form. Symptoms and treatment of the disease, which is selected later, largely depend on the age characteristics of the patient.
Diagnostics
Before expressing the conclusion, the specialist doctor directs the patient to carry out diagnostic measures. On the first appointment, the doctor conducts a thorough examination of the affected joint, after which he collects the most detailed information about the patient's lifestyle, professional activities and 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 allows you to determine the nature of the development of the disease and the stage of its neglect.
When making a diagnosis, it is especially important to take into account the presence of concomitant diseases in the body.
1 degree of disease
Diagnosis is made on the basis of available information regarding the patient's symptoms and general well-being. In this case, a general analysis of blood and urine cannot provide the necessary information about the joint disease process. A laboratory study of joint fluid in 1st degree shoulder joint arthrosis reveals an increase in the viscosity of the biological material and an increase in protein content. Computerized imaging and magnetic resonance are considered no less informative. Despite the accuracy and content of the information, the procedure has a relatively high cost, so not every patient can afford such an examination.
2 degrees
When osteoarthritis of the 2nd degree of the shoulder joint is detected, in addition to examination and interrogation, the following diagnostic methods are used: ultrasound, arthroscopy, scintigraphy and thermography. All these techniques allow to establish the nature of the narrowing of the joint space, 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.
3 degrees
Identifying 3rd degree shoulder joint osteoarthritis involves an extended 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 pathological process and a biopsy of the cartilage tissue, which allows you to diagnose the patient as accurately 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 methods of therapy are aimed at eliminating the main signs:
- reduction of the manifestation of pain;
- elimination of signs of the inflammatory process;
- normalization of the general condition of cartilage tissue;
- return of limb mobility;
- normalization of metabolic processes in the body.
Treatment of deforming arthrosis of the shoulder joint of the 2nd degree involves the use of complex therapy, which involves the use of several therapeutic methods at the same time.
Medical treatment
Treatment of the disease with the help of drugs involves the use of means with various effects:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - eliminates the signs of the inflammatory process, the manifestations of pain in the joint. They are prescribed exclusively by a specialist doctor, since the complexes are capable of provoking the occurrence of a negative reaction of the body. It is recommended to take them 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.
- intraarticular block. The procedure for joint disease involves the use of corticosteroids in the form of injections injected directly into the affected area.
- Topical hormonal and non-hormonal preparations. They can be applied in the form of gels or ointments.
In this case, the use of drugs against joint diseases 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 forces of the body in the fight against the pathological process;
- magnetotherapy - strengthening the body's immune system, which allows the damaged area of the joint to heal more actively thanks to the restoration of blood flow;
- hirudotherapy - is the implementation of therapeutic measures with the help of leeches, 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.
Don't 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 pathological process. It is necessary to discuss in advance with the doctor about 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 identifying the ongoing development of the disease, doctors are forced to resort to surgical treatment.
The procedure most often involves the installation of an endoprosthesis. The method is considered invasive, allowing replacement of 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.
Folk remedies
In addition to traditional methods of treating the disease, recipes of traditional medicine are considered no less effective. To relieve the painful manifestations of the joint disease process, it is recommended to use cabbage or burdock. Before use, the plant must be unrolled in the juice extraction phase, 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 joint mixes. It can be prepared with mustard and hay dust in a certain ratio. The duration of the bath is from 15 minutes to half an hour. After the procedure, it is advisable to dress warmly. It is allowed to use compresses based on cinquefoil. Previously, the medicinal plant was dried. To prepare a compress for joint diseases, 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 redness 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 pathological process is detected.
Prevention
To prevent the occurrence of joint diseases and its subsequent spread, the patient must receive the most sparing treatment. This is especially necessary if the patient is elderly and elderly. Mandatory favorable conditions include optimal body temperature, compliance with the rules of personal hygiene and established health requirements, timely exercise, monitoring the quality of food and taking the necessary vitamins and microelements, visiting a specialist doctor at least twice a year.