Arthrosis of the shoulder joint is a chronic disease that is based on damage to cartilage tissue, followed by the appearance of bone growth and difficulty in walking. Most of the time, the elderly suffer, but heavy physical work and inflammatory processes contribute to the early development of the pathology. Without timely treatment, the movements of the affected joint are completely blocked.
General information
Cartilage is a smooth layer between the bone contact areas. It guarantees its easy sliding in relation to the other, guaranteeing free and painless joint work. Excessive stress, inflammation or trauma can trigger a degenerative process that gradually spreads across the entire surface.
As a result, the smoothness of the joint surfaces is disturbed and movement begins 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 is deformed, muscles spasm, and ligaments become weak and lose elasticity. Without treatment, the person loses the ability to move the arm.
Views
Depending on the cause of development, primary and secondary arthrosis are distinguished. The primary form occurs on its own, most often in the context of excessive joint overload. Secondary is caused by a third party pathology, eg trauma, intense inflammation, metabolic disturbances, 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 arthrosis occurs much less often. The pathology can be caused by:
- regular excessive physical activity: weight lifting, professional sports, vibration;
- congenital anomalies of the shoulder joint structure and adjacent structures;
- rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and other autoimmune diseases;
- congenital weakness of the connective tissue, accompanied by joint hypermobility;
- injuries: dislocations, sprains and ligament tears, intra-articular bone fractures;
- hormonal changes and interruptions (including pregnancy, menopause);
- inflammatory diseases of the joint and periarticular structures (arthritis, bursitis, etc. );
- metabolic disorders including gout, diabetes mellitus.
An important role in predisposition to arthrosis is played by heredity.
Degrees
Doctors identify 3 degrees of deforming arthrosis of the shoulder joint, which determine its symptoms and the choice of treatment tactics:
- Grade 1 is characterized by minimal manifestations: pain occurs only with intense or prolonged exertion and passes quickly after rest, and radiography reveals subchondral sclerosis of the joint surfaces;
- in 2nd degree arthrosis the pain is much stronger, the person has to use analgesics to feel better; x-ray shows pronounced joint space narrowing, extensive areas of cartilage destruction, as well as bone growths (osteophytes);
- Grade 3 of the disease is accompanied by constant and intense pain, joint mobility is significantly limited, and the image shows complete destruction of cartilage tissue, deformation of bone structures, and a large number of osteophytes.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of shoulder arthrosis include:
- pain: results from decreased smoothness of joint surfaces, growth of osteophytes and bone deformation; the intensity, duration and nature of sensations depend on the degree of damage;
- crunch: one of the characteristic symptoms of the disease, arising in the early stages; it differs from the physiological in a coarser tone and is also usually accompanied by pain;
- mobility limitation: associated with the appearance of pathological growths and cartilage particles destroyed inside the joint; in the early stages, it is represented by a slight morning stiffness, later growing to complete immobility (ankylosis);
- deformation: a change in the contours, first only of the joint, and then of the hand, occurs in the later stages of the disease and indicates the complete destruction of cartilage and the involvement of bones, muscles and ligaments in the pathological process.
The progression of symptoms can take years or even decades, but ultimately arthrosis of the shoulder joint leads to an inability to move the arm and severe pain.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of arthrosis of the shoulder joint requires an integrated approach. To accurately determine the diagnosis and determine the extent of the injury, the physician uses the following methods:
- questioning and collection of anamnesis: the patient's complaints are registered, the circumstances of the occurrence of certain symptoms are determined; without fail, information about past illnesses and injuries, the presence of joint damage in parents are clarified;
- exam: the doctor visually assesses the joint, determines the range of motion, the area of greatest pain, etc. . ;
- X-ray and CT: the main diagnostic method that allows observing the characteristic symptoms of osteoarthrosis (narrowing of the joint space, cartilage degeneration, bone growth and deformities);
- Ultrasound: allows you to assess the condition of cartilage, bones, ligaments, joint capsule and muscles;
- MRI: allows you to obtain virtual slices of all structures in the affected area;
- laboratory diagnosis: a blood test reveals an active inflammatory process, usually accompanying arthrosis;
- arthroscopy: examining the joint from the inside with a camera inserted through a small puncture.
If the disease is of a secondary nature, examinations and specialist consultations restricted to the underlying pathology are mandatory.
Shoulder arthrosis treatment
The treatment of arthrosis of the shoulder joint depends on the degree of injury: in stages 1 and 2, the disease can be successfully stopped or delayed by the correct selection of medications. With extensive destruction, the only way to restore mobility and completely stop the pain is a surgical operation - arthroscopy with "cleaning" of the joint.
drug treatment
Medical treatment for shoulder arthrosis is aimed at reducing symptoms and restoring cartilage tissue. For this, the following groups of drugs are used:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: block inflammatory reactions and reduce pain; they are available in the form of pills, 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 the muscle spasm that inevitably accompanies advanced arthrosis;
- chondroprotectors: designed for prolonged use, aimed at restoring cartilage tissue;
- drugs that improve microcirculation: indirectly stimulate regeneration processes, improving blood supply to the affected area;
- Enzyme blockers: partially retard cartilage tissue destruction.
The selection of specific drugs, their dose, frequency of administration and duration of the course is done only by a doctor! It is important to remember that self-medication can cause accelerated joint degeneration and other side effects.
Physiotherapy
Physical therapy techniques and physical therapy exercises greatly facilitate the course of the disease and increase the effect of medications. The following procedures have 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: introduction of drugs (analgesics, chondroprotectors) into tissues by means of electrical impulses or ultrasound; promotes better drug absorption;
- Massage and physiotherapy exercises: weighted loads on the joint and intense manual action stimulate blood circulation in the tissues.
Like medication, physiotherapy, massage, and exercise therapy must be prescribed and performed under the supervision of a specialist. If a period of silence is beneficial, the effect in the context of an acute inflammatory process can cause increased pain.
Surgery
The last stage of shoulder arthrosis is accompanied by severe symptoms and requires surgical treatment. Most changes that occur as a result of degeneration are irreversible, so the only way to restore a person's mobility is a stent. The affected joint is replaced by a modern prosthesis, which fully assumes its functions. This operation is especially effective in young and middle-aged people as it allows you to live years without pain.
Prophylaxis
Like any joint disease, arthrosis of the shoulder is easier to prevent than cure. Orthopedists recommend adhering to the following rules:
- exclude or minimize professional risk factors (vibration, weight lifting);
- do not allow hypodynamics, but also do not pursue sporting records: it is better to choose a moderate training option;
- nutrition and weight control;
- undergo regular checkups to identify potential problems.
Diet
With shoulder arthrosis of any degree, it is important to monitor nutrition:
- avoid overeating and being overweight;
- minimize harmful products: greasy, spicy, salty, alcohol, canned foods, smoked meats;
- eat enough foods rich in collagen (gelled meat, peas) and omega-3s (fatty fish, olive oil);
- give preference to cooked, steamed or stewed foods over fried foods;
- reduce the amount of fast-digesting carbohydrates.
The diet must be complete and include the necessary amount of vitamins, minerals and nutrients.
Consequences and complications
Even a slight pain and tightness in the shoulder can turn into unpleasant consequences. Without treatment, arthrosis leads to:
- significant mobility limitation until ankylosis (bone fusion);
- severe pain even at rest;
- severe deformity of the shoulder and the entire arm.
To avoid these problems, it is important not to search the internet for how to treat arthrosis of the shoulder joint with folk remedies, but simply to contact an orthopedist to choose the therapy.
Treatment in a specialized clinic
It is impossible to cure osteoarthritis on your own. The specialists of the modern clinic offer patients complex methods of treating arthrosis of the shoulder:
- modern drug therapy regimens that combine high efficiency and minimal side effects;
- Tried and new physiotherapy techniques;
- PRP therapy;
- physiotherapy and massage exercises to relieve limited joint movement.
If necessary, medical puncture of the joint is performed with the introduction of analgesics or artificial synovial fluid that facilitates movement.
We monitor the patient throughout the treatment to keep the disease under control.
Benefits of modern clinics
Specialized blades offer your patients:
- comprehensive health screening programs;
- advanced exams for accurate diagnosis;
- queries from narrow experts of various profiles;
- modern treatment regimens, including not only medications, but also physical therapy, massage, and exercise therapy;
- reasonable prices for all services.
Shoulder osteoarthritis is a problem that can completely change a person's life. Do not let the disease reach an irreversible stage, seek an appointment with an orthopedist.