Problems of the shoulder joint are not as common as those of the hip or knee, but they exist and among them it is worth highlighting osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, the symptoms and treatment of which have their own characteristics. In most cases, a rheumatologist deals with these problems. In general, osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint has its own specific symptoms and is characterized by degenerative processes not only in the cartilage itself. Most often the capsule, ligamentous apparatus and joint bags suffer, of which there are many.
As a result of everything that happens, the joint is deformed, the range of motion is limited. In addition to the fact that such a condition develops, osteoarthritis is accompanied by pain. The reasons for this condition can be very different, we will try to understand them in detail.
What makes it all happen
The inflammatory process leads to the consequences of arthrosis of the shoulder joint. It develops due to various factors, some are fought by a rheumatologist and some require the help of a traumatologist.
The most common cause of osteoarthritis is traumatic injury. This is observed in athletes following microtrauma, during a habitual dislocation or after a fracture. Therefore osteoarthritis is post-traumatic and requires its own approach to treatment.
With the pathology of the blood vessels, the tissues experience a lack of oxygen, tissue dystrophy occurs. As a result, arthrosis of the right and left shoulder joint develops. Often this condition can be observed with excessive physical exertion.
Often the reasons lie in hormonal disturbances or autoimmune damage to the cartilage. In the latter case, a rheumatologist deals with such arthrosis of the shoulder joint. Arthrosis occurs, for example, with psoriasis, gout.
It is reliable that the causes can be hidden in the inheritance, especially if the parents suffered from this disease. Additionally, osteoarthritis can develop in people with congenital defects in the shoulder joint.
Symptoms can also appear due to age, as cartilage wears down. At risk are people over the age of 50.
Symptoms
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint develops over a long period of time and its symptoms are not betrayed. In this regard, it is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the shoulder joint, and if even mild symptoms appear, immediately consult a doctor.
It all starts with pain, which first manifests arthrosis. Joints hurt, especially in the morning or when the weather changes. When lifting weights, this symptom is also actively felt, often the shoulder area cannot even be touched. As symptoms progress, osteoarthritis also appears at rest. In addition to joint pain, symptoms can be in the back, forearm, or elbow.
Symptoms are complemented by the limitation of movements, the main reasons for this lie in pain. A person cannot normally perform simple actions, such as combing or brushing their teeth.
The scratch simulation test allows you to discover the presence of osteoarthritis.
It is also difficult to take back the hand. If drugs and gymnastics are not prescribed on time, contractures simply cannot be avoided.
Complete crunch symptoms, which can appear at any level. It occurs due to the growth of bone tissue and, at an early stage, only the person himself feels it, so it is heard even from a distance. Swelling joins and not only the joint, but also the shoulder, forearm, skin can turn red. All this indicates the presence of an inflammatory process.
In an advanced stage of the disease, abduction of the arm to the side becomes a problem. This happens due to growths that abundantly cover the joint area. There is a certain specificity depending on the degree: at each stage, the disease can manifest itself in different ways.
Depending on the grade
In the first stage of the disease, the pain bothers only in the morning and in the evening. It may take some time for a person to get rid of "stiffness". A sharp movement is accompanied by a slight crunch, which is not the cause of the pain.
At rest, with this degree of pain, there is no pain in the same way that there are no changes on the x-ray film. It all starts in the second degree, when the manifestations become more pronounced.
Symptoms in the second stage are complemented by a more pronounced crunch and pain. It is no longer possible to move the arm completely, however the mobility of the joint is preserved. At this stage, the destruction and deformation of cartilage occurs, there are characteristic manifestations on X-rays.
At the third degree, the process can be considered ongoing, and drug treatment already has minimal success. In this case, only light rocking movements are possible, and a sharp pain becomes a constant companion. The joint area becomes very inflamed, the deformity, shoulder pain and the forearm area come together. Therefore, post-traumatic osteoarthritis occurs more often, which can be in the area of the right or left shoulder joint.
If you do not perform special exercises, the muscles will atrophy. Only surgical treatment can help in this case. However, it rarely reaches this stage, only in the case of constant overloads.
With the fourth degree it is not necessary to speak of articulation, as such, because it simply does not exist. Post-traumatic osteoarthritis leads to this condition, especially if the injury is severe. Drugs, even potent ones, are unable to cope with pain. You can meet this stage in elderly and senile people. The pain often radiates to the forearm and only proper treatment can help.
Treatment
There are special drugs that can stop the disease. The main thing is to prescribe treatment with them as soon as possible, even if osteoarthritis is post-traumatic.
Medicines
First there are the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. There are a great many of them and only a doctor can choose the right one. In addition to reducing pain, the inflammatory process is also removed. Treatment with these drugs is carried out in courses, otherwise the effect on the cartilage may be negative.
In addition, drugs have a negative effect on the gastric mucosa. With caution, they are assigned to those who have problems with this body. Long-term use can cause an ulcer.
Local treatment
With a strong inflammatory process, hormone-based drugs are injected into the joint. The drugs have a local anti-inflammatory effect, however, this is not safe for the joint itself, as this destroys the cartilage. The local use of ointments, which also effectively relieve pain, is justified.
The scheme is supplemented by drugs called chondroprotectors. It will take a long time to cure the disease with these drugs, but they contribute to the restoration of cartilage tissue and normal joint function. The composition includes glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid. The effect continues for a long time, even after the drugs are stopped.
Physiotherapy and gymnastics
There are many techniques that practically do not use drugs, but allow you to achieve excellent results. With this disease, treatment is carried out with the help of:
- magnetotherapy;
- therapeutic baths;
- laser;
- ultrasound;
- dirty.
In parallel, special exercises are performed to increase the range of motion of the joint. Gymnastics has many techniques that are prescribed depending on the degree and stage of the disease.
It is better to perform exercises under the supervision of an experienced doctor, who will choose the optimal ones.
Operation
When gymnastics and drug treatment do not help, surgery is required. A shoulder joint endoprosthesis can solve the problem. They completely replace everything old and worn, the prosthesis itself is made of metal or ceramic. The useful life of such a plant is about 15-25 years.
Treating this disease is very difficult and not always possible. Success has only an integrated approach, in which the treatment consists of drugs that are supplemented by gymnastics or special exercises, physiotherapy. Particularly concerned about right shoulder disease, as this is the hand that is working.
It is best to cure the disease at an early stage and not take it to extremes. If osteoarthritis is treated in the first stage, many negative consequences can be avoided. But it is not recommended to cure this disease on your own.