In our daily life, we tend to ignore the occasional pain in our body. We only go to the clinic when the pain develops and persists. This approach is fundamentally wrong because it allows the disease to develop further. The skeletal system has many pathologies. One of them is osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.
What is Shoulder Arthropathy
Shoulder deforming osteoarthritis is a chronic disease associated with degenerative cartilage depletion.
The disease tends to develop and exacerbate the dysfunction of the human musculoskeletal system. The influence of causative factors causes the cartilage to thin, with cracks and subsequent destruction.
Risk factors for shoulder joint disease
There are many reasons for the development of shoulder osteoarthritis. There are:
- Vascular disease that interrupts the normal blood supply to the joints,
- Hurt,
- The shoulder joint bears a heavy physical burden,
- metabolic disease,
- genetic susceptibility,
- endocrine system diseases,
- age-related joint changes,
- congenital changes
- Widespread diseases of the musculoskeletal system,
- Autoimmune disease.
The risk group includes people over the age of 55. This is due to age-related changes in the form of cartilage wear.
the extent of the disease
Signs of degree 1, 2, and 3 arthropathy of the shoulder joint can be distinguished according to the progressive deterioration of a person's health in the context of the disease process.
The first stage
The initial phase is characterized by minor changes in the joints and pain with movement and weight lifting. This is due to the reduced elasticity of cartilage tissue. The maneuverability of the joint is reduced, and as a result, the mobility of the patient's hand is limited.
In the picture, doctors noticed a slight narrowing of the joint space and bone growth where the cartilage thinned. With the right treatment, first-degree arthropathy stops and the joint returns to a healthy state.
second stage
If the patient does not pay attention to the symptoms of primary arthropathy, secondary arthropathy progresses rapidly in which there is already a problem restoring the disturbed structure of joint tissue.
The second time there are more visible signs. The joint cavity is reduced to a minimum, the pain in the scapula and shoulder area increases, becomes regular, there is tightening when moving the hand, parts of the muscles atrophy, and osteophytes (bone growths) are visible on X-rays.
The third phase
The last stage is characterized by changes in the bone tissue, marked deformity, little movement of the joint, and persistent pain. If measures are not taken to stop the degenerative process in the tissue, there is a high chance of a complete violation of the motor activity of the hand.
Some patients have difficulty with self-care. The degree of disease under consideration is the most intractable and requires surgical intervention. The third stage of shoulder arthropathy is extremely rare. Often, it becomes the result of excessive whole-body loading on damaged joints (for example, in professional sports).
symptom
Arthropathy of the scapula-shoulder joint has been asymptomatic for a long time. In most cases, the first sign is an acute pain sensation. At the onset of the disease, pain rarely occurs - due to physical activity, from uncomfortable hand movements.
In the future, the pain increases, starting with sudden movements at night, in uncomfortable positions, and then during the day, disturbing more frequently and becoming systemic.
If treatment is not started in time, stiffness during movement can be added to the pain. There is a clicking and crunching sound in the shoulder joint. The area is also often swollen, accompanied by increased temperature throughout the body and in the area of the damaged joint. The skin may become red.
diagnosis
If you experience shoulder pain, contact the doctor who will conduct an initial examination and interview.
For the diagnosis of shoulder osteoarthritis, the following methods are used:
- radiography,
- lab testing,
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI),
- Computed Tomography (CT),
- Ultrasound examination (ultrasound),
- scintigraphy - a functional imaging method that involves introducing radioisotopes into the body and obtaining images by determining the radiation they emit,
- Arthroscopy - a method of visual inspection of the joint cavity using a special optical device (arthroscope),
- Thermal imaging is a method of recording infrared radiation from the body.
treat
For many people facing this condition, the question often arises: Is it possible to cure shoulder joint disease forever? Treatment of any joint degenerative disease is primarily aimed at relieving symptoms and combating complications of the disease. Complete healing can only be achieved by replacing the affected joint with an artificial joint.
Depending on the severity of the arthropathy and the secondary cause of its occurrence, arthritis of the shoulder - arthritis is treated by a rheumatologist (at the initial stage), an orthopaedic or orthopaedic traumatologist, a surgeon, an arthrologist (with advanced forms of arthropathy). These are the main experts.
Support staff include: therapists (general practitioners if treatment is not available from rheumatologists, orthopedists, surgeons), physiotherapists, radiologists. Which doctor will treat the patient depends on the stage and cause of the disease.
important! This disease is a chronic disease, and there is no need to talk about complete recovery. So far, no drug can completely cure it.
Effective treatments include the following.
drug
Treating shoulder osteoarthritis with medication can reduce symptoms of the inflammatory process and reduce pain. For this, the following pharmacology groups are used:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- chondroprotective agent.
- painkiller.
- Glucocorticoid hormone preparations. They are used as part of an ointment and for joint injections in the treatment of scapular arthropathy.
In addition, antibiotics, vitamin and mineral complexes, and other specific drugs are used for treatment, which are prescribed by the attending physician based on the clinical manifestations of the patient's disease.
physiotherapy
Physical exercises aimed at strengthening the shoulder girdle muscles are an integral part of comprehensive treatment for shoulder arthropathy. Exercise at the end of the inflammatory process during remission.
Physical therapy helps restore joints and their mobility, halt the progression of the disease, strengthen affected devices, and reduce pain.
Before starting gymnastics, prepare for the upcoming load by warming up and stretching. A simple training complex includes the following exercises:
- Sit with one hand behind your back and the other extended from the side of your waist. Put your hands on your knees and relax. Do it slowly.
- Alternately and simultaneously lift your shoulders. Do it 10 times.
- The shoulders move back and forth, alternating at the same time. Run 10 times.
- In a seated position, lower your arms and relax. Swing back and forth without bending your elbows. Repeat 10 times with each hand.
Particularly popular is the author's approach to arthropathy. This exercise therapy is performed in specialized centers, but it is easy to do at home.
A characteristic of physical exercises is that they focus on restoring the mobility of the entire musculoskeletal system, not just individual joints.
physiotherapy
Physical therapy is included in the comprehensive approach to the treatment of osteoarthritis. It is effective in the early stages of the disease. Medications and physical therapy for hip and shoulder disease are prescribed by a doctor after examination and diagnosis.
Physical therapy includes:
- UV exposure,
- UHF therapy,
- magnetic therapy,
- ultrasound therapy,
- Amplified Pulse Therapy,
- therapeutic bath,
- Healing mud.
Operation
Surgical intervention is performed when ongoing treatment measures do not lead to positive motivation and the disease progresses.
The following types of operations are possible:
- Shoulder arthrocentesis is a minimally invasive method that allows you to remove inflammatory fluid from the joint cavity and introduce medication there.
- Arthroscopy is performed by piercing the joint area using a video camera. This treatment option relieves symptoms and does not require a long recovery period after surgery.
- Endoprosthesis - replacement of damaged areas of a joint with artificial elements.
folk remedies
In the treatment of deformed joints, folk remedies are popular and widely used in China. However, keep in mind that alternative treatments should be used in addition to primary medication.
The following herbal recipes are effective:
- Inulin tincture for grinding. Stimulates the blood circulation process and relieves pain. To prepare it, infuse 100 grams of the plant's dried roots in 250 ml of vodka and apply it to the affected area no more than five times a day.
- Oatmeal compressed. Alleviate pain syndrome. It's prepared as follows: Pour a full tablespoon of oatmeal into 500ml of water and cook on fire for about 10 minutes. The prepared substance is cooled to skin temperature and applied to gauze. Apply this compression to the affected joint for one to two hours.
- Brine compression. Slow down the inflammatory process. To prepare: Dissolve 50 grams of salt in two cups of water. Dip a piece of gauze in the prepared solution for three hours, then squeeze it out, warm it, and apply it to the painful joint until the dressing is completely cool.
prevention
To prevent the onset and subsequent progression of shoulder arthropathy, it is important to follow simple disease prevention rules. These include:
- maintain an active lifestyle,
- Regular long walks
- training exercises, gymnastics, yoga,
- quit bad habits (smoking, alcohol),
- hot and cold shower,
- swimming,
- Weight control,
- proper nutrition,
- timely and thorough treatment,
- Avoid injuries, excessive physical exertion, and hypothermia.
in conclusion
Deformed shoulder joints can significantly impair a person's quality of life, reduce mobility of the musculoskeletal system, and cause discomfort along with increased pain. There is no complete cure for the disease, but there is a good chance that the disease will remain in remission with a full range of treatment and preventive measures.
The outcome of the joint pathology that has already appeared depends entirely on the person, whether he is willing to perform therapeutic exercises on a regular basis and adhere to preventive measures. People with this diagnosis are likely to live full lives.