Osteoarthritis of the shoulder is a pathological process that occurs in patients older than 50 years. Like many other diseases, the disease can cause unpleasant sensations. The initial form of the disease is characterized as arthrosis of the 1st degree of the shoulder joint, which has a certain set of symptomatic manifestations and factors that can negatively affect later development.
Causes and symptoms
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is a violation of the integrity of the cartilage joint and its elements. Very often the disease process begins to actively develop, which is why the patient is diagnosed with arthritis and inflammation.
The disease can occur in the background of exposure to various factors. The most common include:
- joint injury (dislocation, bruising, fracture) characterized by capsule damage or ligament rupture;
- identification of diseases of the cardiovascular system in the patient (processes due to 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 be manifested with varying intensity and frequency. In the initial phase of the development of the disease, the patient has a manifestation of less pain or discomfort (especially in the process of finding the shoulder in a certain position). After that, in a certain period of time, the process of the disease subsides, after which it is felt again, while it is actively developing. Joint pain, as a rule, has a traction or painful character, their intensity varies depending on the load. The pain syndrome can have different localizations. It can be distributed over the entire shoulder area or only in certain joint areas. As a result, the patient's motor activity of the upper extremity is disturbed and the transition of the pathological process into a chronic form. The symptoms and treatment of the disease, which is selected subsequently, largely depend on the age characteristics of the patient.
Diagnosis
Before making a conclusion, the specialist instructs the patient to carry out diagnostic measures. At the first examination, the doctor performs a detailed 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 joint mobility and the disease process are studied.
X-rays are recommended for more information. The obtained image enables the determination of the nature of the development of the disease and the phase 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 disease
The diagnosis is made on the basis of available information about the symptoms and general well-being of the patient. In this case, a general analysis of blood and urine can not provide the necessary information about the process of joint disease. Laboratory examination of joint fluid in grade 1 osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint reveals increased viscosity of biological material and increased protein content. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging 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.
2nd degree
When arthrosis of the 2nd degree of the shoulder joint is detected, in addition to examinations and tests, the following diagnostic methods are used: ultrasound, arthroscopy, scintigraphy and thermography. All these techniques make it possible to determine the nature of the narrowing of the joint space, the compaction of bone tissue, the presence of cystic neoplasms or fragments of bone tissue in the area of articulation. Ultrasound examination of the disease helps to determine the thickness of cartilage on the surface of all areas, to determine the possible presence of erosions and wen.
3 degrees
Identification of grade 3 shoulder arthrosis includes the possibility of an extended examination. In addition to basic methods, the patient must undergo a biochemical blood test (to identify markers of the inflammatory process), immunological studies to determine the stage of the disease process and a biopsy of cartilage tissue, which allows the patient to make a diagnosis. as accurately as possible.
Treatment
Despite the form of the pathological process of the joint detected in the patient, he will have to undergo long-term treatment. Traditional and non-traditional methods of therapy are aimed at removing the main signs:
- reducing the manifestation of pain;
- removal of signs of inflammatory process;
- normalization of the general condition of cartilage tissue;
- restoring limb mobility;
- normalization of metabolic processes in the body.
Treatment of grade 2 deformity of the shoulder joint involves the use of complex therapy, which involves the use of several therapeutic methods at once.
Treatment
Treatment of the disease with the help of drugs involves the use of means of different effects:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - remove the signs of the inflammatory process, the manifestations of joint pain. They are prescribed exclusively by a specialist, because the complexes are capable of causing a negative reaction of the body. It is recommended to be used with caution in those patients who have a problem with the functionality of the gastrointestinal tract, because the components of the composition have the ability to cause the development of ulcerative formations.
- intraarticular block. The procedure for joint disease involves the use of corticosteroids in the form of injections that are injected directly into the affected area.
- Hormonal and non-hormonal topical preparations. They can be applied in the form of gels or ointments.
In this case, the use of drugs against joint disease is extremely necessary, because all other methods of therapy have a cumulative effect and give positive results only after a certain period of time.
Physiotherapy and exercise
Physiotherapy procedures and physiotherapy exercises are considered no less effective and beneficial. Most often, in diseases of the joints, the following are prescribed:
- laser therapy - improves blood flow and normalizes metabolic processes in the body;
- acupuncture - allows you to activate your own forces in the fight against the pathological process;
- magnetotherapy - strengthening the body's immune system, which allows more active healing of the damaged joint area to restore blood flow;
- hirudotherapy - is the implementation of therapeutic measures with the help of leeches, it is effective in detecting the 1st and 2nd stages of the disease;
- manual therapy - includes massage not only by a specialist, but also independently at home.
Don't forget about physical education. Gymnastics in the case of arthrosis of the shoulder joint plays an important role, so classes should be regular and take into account all the characteristics of the disease process. It is necessary to talk in advance with the doctor about the allowable load, what exercises may be performed and how long the classes are for such a disease.
Operation
In the absence of the effectiveness of the above methods of treating the disease and determining the ongoing development of the disease, doctors are forced to resort to surgical treatment.
The procedure usually involves the installation of an endoprosthesis. The method is considered invasive, it allows the replacement of destroyed joint fragments with artificial options.
The technique allows not only to eliminate the symptoms that appear, but also to restore the lost activity of the upper extremity.
Folk remedies
Apart from traditional methods of treating the disease, the recipes of traditional medicine are considered no less effective. The use of cabbage or burdock is recommended to alleviate the painful manifestations of the joint disease process. Before use, the plant should be rolled out to the stage of squeezing the juice, after which it must be applied to the shoulder. The compress is covered from above with a cloth to retain heat for as long as possible. The procedure takes several hours.
Many experts strongly recommend bathing herbal mixtures for the joints. It can be prepared from mustard and hay powder in a certain ratio. The duration of the bath is from 15 minutes to half an hour. It is recommended to dress warmly after the procedure. Petroleum-based coatings are allowed. The medicinal plant is previously dried. To prepare a compress for joint diseases, you will need three tablespoons of the main component and lard. 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, violation 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 inflammation. The use of the drug for the disease in most cases is carried out when a chronic form of the disease process is detected.
Prevention
In order to prevent the development of joint disease and its later spread, the patient must be provided with the most economical treatment. This is especially necessary if the patient is older and older. Mandatory favorable conditions include optimal body temperature, compliance with the rules of personal hygiene and established sanitary requirements, timely exercise, monitoring food quality and intake of necessary vitamins and trace elements, visits to a specialist doctor at least twice a year.