Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is a chronic disease, which is based on damage to cartilage tissue, followed by the appearance of bone growths and limited mobility. Most often, the elderly suffer, but heavy physical labor and inflammatory processes contribute to the early development of pathology. Without prompt treatment, movements of the affected joint are completely blocked.
<1_img_centerxx>general informations
Cartilage is a smooth layer between the contact areas of the bones. It ensures their easy sliding relative to each other, guaranteeing free and painless joint work. Excessive stress, inflammation or trauma can trigger a degenerative process that gradually spreads over the entire surface.
As a result, the smoothness of the joint surfaces is disturbed, and the movements begin to cause pain. At the same time, bony growths begin to appear along the edges of the joint, replacing the affected cartilage. As the degenerative process progresses, it involves not only the bones, but the surrounding tissue as well. The limb becomes deformed, the muscles contract and the ligaments weaken and lose their elasticity. Without treatment, the person loses the ability to move their arm.
Views
Depending on the cause of development, a distinction is made between primary and secondary osteoarthritis. The primary form occurs on its own, most often against the background of excessive overloading of the joint. The secondary is provoked by a third-party pathology, for example, trauma, intense inflammation, metabolic disorders, etc. Both forms of the disease have similar symptoms.
The reasons
Unlike the knee, ankle and hip joints, the shoulder does not experience significant stress when walking, which is why this form of osteoarthritis occurs much less frequently. Pathology can be caused by:
- regular excessive physical activity: lifting weights, professional sports, vibrations;
- congenital anomalies of the structure of the shoulder joint and adjacent structures;
- rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases;
- congenital weakness of connective tissue, accompanied by hypermobility of the joints;
- injuries: dislocations, ligament sprains and ruptures, intra-articular bone fractures;
- hormonal changes and disturbances (including pregnancy, menopause);
- inflammatory diseases of the articular and periarticular structures (arthritis, bursitis, etc. );
- metabolic disorders, including gout, diabetes mellitus.
Heredity plays an important role in the predisposition to osteoarthritis.
Degrees
Doctors identify 3 degrees of deforming osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, which determine its symptoms and the choice of treatment tactics:
- Grade 1 is characterized by minimal manifestations: the pain occurs only with intense or prolonged effort and disappears quickly after rest, and the x-ray reveals subchondral sclerosis of the joint surfaces;
- with osteoarthritis of the 2nd degree, the pain becomes much stronger, a person has to use pain relievers to feel better; the x-ray shows a pronounced narrowing of the joint space, large areas of cartilage destruction, as well as bone growths (osteophytes);
- Grade 3 of the disease is accompanied by severe and constant pain, joint mobility is significantly limited, and the picture shows complete destruction of cartilage tissue, deformation of bone structures and a large number of osteophytes.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis of the shoulder include:
- pain: results from decreased smoothness of joint surfaces, growth of osteophytes and bone deformation; the intensity, duration and nature of the sensations depend on the degree of damage;
- crunch: one of the characteristic symptoms of the disease, appearing at an early stage; differs from the physiological in a coarser tone and is also often accompanied by pain;
- limitation of mobility: associated with the appearance of pathological growths and particles of destroyed cartilage inside the joint; in the early stages, it is represented by a slight morning stiffness, then it develops to complete immobility (ankylosis);
- deformity: a change in the contours first of the joint, then of the hand, occurs in the later stages of the disease and indicates the complete destruction of the cartilage and the involvement of bones, muscles and ligaments in thepathological process.
Symptoms can take years or even decades to progress, but eventually, osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint results in an inability to move the arm and severe pain.
Diagnostic
The diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint requires an integrated approach. To accurately determine the diagnosis and determine the extent of the lesion, the doctor uses the following methods:
- examination and collection of anamnesis: the patient's complaints are recorded, the circumstances of the occurrence of certain symptoms are determined; for sure, information about past diseases and injuries, the presence of joint damage in relatives is clarified;
- examination: the doctor visually assesses the joint, determines the range of motion, the area of the most severe pain, etc. ;
- X-ray and computed tomography: the main diagnostic method that allows you to see the characteristic symptoms of osteoarthritis (narrowing of the joint space, degeneration of cartilage, bone growth and deformities);
- Ultrasound: assesses the condition of cartilage, bones, ligaments, joint capsule and muscles;
- MRI: allows to obtain virtual sections of all the structures of the affected area;
- laboratory diagnosis: a blood test reveals an active inflammatory process, often accompanying osteoarthritis;
- arthroscopy: examining the joint from the inside with a camera inserted through a small puncture.
If the disease is secondary in nature, limited specialist examinations and consultations on the underlying pathology are mandatory.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint depends on the degree of the injury: in stages 1 and 2, the disease can be successfully stopped or delayed with the right choice of drugs. With massive destruction, the only way to restore mobility and completely stop pain is surgery - arthroscopy with "cleaning" of the joint.
Medical treatment
Medical treatment for osteoarthritis of the shoulder aims to reduce symptoms and restore cartilage tissue. For this, the following groups of drugs are used:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: block inflammatory reactions and reduce pain; are available in the form of tablets, ointments, suppositories and in injectable form;
- hormonal agents (corticosteroids): used when NSAIDs are ineffective, have a similar effect; a good effect is provided by long-acting drugs, injected directly into the joint cavity;
- antispasmodics, B vitamins: used to reduce muscle spasms that inevitably accompany advanced osteoarthritis;
- chondroprotectors: designed for long-term use, aimed at restoring cartilage tissue;
- drugs that improve microcirculation: indirectly stimulate regenerative processes by improving blood supply to the affected area;
- enzyme blockers: partially slow down the destruction of cartilage tissue.
The selection of specific drugs, their dose, frequency of administration and duration of the course is carried out only by a doctor! It is important to remember that self-medication can cause accelerated joint degeneration and other side effects.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy techniques and physiotherapy exercises greatly facilitate the course of the disease and enhance the effect of drugs. The following procedures have been proven to have a good effect:
- magnetotherapy: relieves pain, relieves inflammation, improves microcirculation and stimulates the regeneration of cartilage tissue;
- shock wave therapy: exposure to acoustic waves of a certain frequency contributes to the destruction of osteophytes, which facilitates movement of the affected joint;
- electrophoresis, phonophoresis: the introduction of drugs (analgesics, chondroprotectors) into the tissues with the help of electrical pulses or ultrasound; promotes better absorption of drugs;
- massage and physiotherapy exercises: dosed loads on the joint and intense manual action stimulate blood circulation in the tissues.
Like medications, physiotherapy, massage, and exercise therapy should be prescribed and performed under the supervision of a specialist. If in a calm period they are beneficial, the effect against the background of an acute inflammatory process can cause increased pain.
Surgery
The last stage of osteoarthritis of the shoulder is accompanied by severe symptoms and requires surgical treatment. Most of the changes that have occurred as a result of degeneration are irreversible, which is why the only way to restore a person's mobility is with a stent. The affected joint is replaced by a modern prosthesis, which fully resumes its functions. This operation is especially effective in young and middle-aged people, as it allows you to live pain-free for years.
Prophylaxis
Like any joint disease, osteoarthritis of the shoulder is easier to prevent than to cure. Orthopedists recommend respecting the following rules:
- exclude or minimize occupational risk factors (vibrations, weight lifting);
- not to allow hypodynamia, but also not to aim for sporting records: it is better to choose a moderate training option;
- control nutrition and weight;
- undergo regular examinations to identify possible problems.
Diet
With arthritis of the shoulder of any degree, it is important to monitor nutrition:
- avoid overeating and being overweight;
- minimize harmful products: fatty, spicy, salty, alcohol, canned food, smoked meats;
- eat a sufficient amount of foods rich in collagen (meat jelly, jelly) and omega-3 (fatty fish, olive oils);
- favor boiled, steamed or stewed foods rather than fried foods;
- reduce the amount of fast digesting carbohydrates.
The diet should be complete and include the required amount of vitamins, minerals and nutrients.
Consequences and complications
Even a slight pain and a crunch in the shoulder can turn into unpleasant consequences. Without treatment, osteoarthritis causes:
- significant limitation of mobility up to ankylosis (bone fusion);
- severe pain even at rest;
- severe deformity of the shoulder and the whole arm.
To avoid these problems, it is important not to search the Internet for how to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint with folk remedies, but simply to contact an orthopedist for the choice of treatment.
Treatment in a specialized clinic
It is impossible to cure osteoarthritis on your own. Specialists of the modern clinic offer patients complex methods of treating osteoarthritis of the shoulder:
- modern treatment regimens that combine high efficiency with minimal side effects;
- proven and new physiotherapy techniques;
- PRP therapy;
- physiotherapy exercises and massage to relieve limitation of joint movements.
If necessary, a medical puncture of the joint is carried out with the introduction of analgesics or artificial synovial fluid that facilitates movement.
We follow the patient throughout the treatment to keep the disease under control.
Advantages of modern clinics
Specialized blades offer their patients:
- comprehensive medical screening programs;
- advanced examinations for an accurate diagnosis;
- consultations with limited specialists of various backgrounds;
- modern treatment regimens, including not only drugs, but also physiotherapy, massage and therapy exercises;
- reasonable prices for all services.
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder is a problem that can completely change a person's life. Do not let the disease enter an irreversible stage, come see an orthopedist.