Problems of the shoulder joint are not as common as those of the hip or knee, but they do exist, and among them it is worth mentioning osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, whose symptoms and treatment have their own characteristics. In most cases, a rheumatologist takes care of these problems. In general, arthrosis of the shoulder joint has its own specific symptoms and is characterized by degenerative processes not only in the cartilage itself. Very often the capsule, ligamentous apparatus and articular 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, arthrosis is accompanied by pain. The reasons for this condition can be very diverse, 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 combated by a rheumatologist and others will require the help of a traumatologist.
The most common cause of osteoarthritis is traumatic injury. It is observed in athletes as a consequence of microtrauma, during a habitual dislocation or after a fracture. So osteoarthritis is post-traumatic and requires its own treatment approach.
With the pathology of 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 may be hidden in heredity, especially if the parents suffered from this disease. Also, osteoarthritis can develop in people with birth defects of the shoulder joint.
Symptoms can also appear due to age, as the cartilage wears down. At risk are people over 50 years of age.
Symptoms
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint develops over a long period of time, and its symptoms do not go away. In this regard, you need to constantly monitor the condition of the shoulder joint, and if mild symptoms appear, immediately consult a doctor.
It all begins with pain, which is first manifested by arthrosis. The joint hurts, especially in the morning or when the weather changes. When lifting weights, this symptom also actively makes itself felt, often the shoulder area cannot even be touched. As symptoms progress, osteoarthritis appears even at rest. In addition to joint pain, symptoms can be in the back, forearm, or elbow.
The symptoms are supplemented by the restriction of movements, the main reasons for this lie in pain. A person is normally unable to perform simple actions, for example, combing one's hair or brushing one's teeth.
The scratch simulation test allows knowing the presence of osteoarthritis.
It is also difficult to remove the hand. If medication and gymnastics are not prescribed on time, contractures simply cannot be avoided.
It complements the symptoms of crackling, which can appear to any degree. It occurs due to the growth of bone tissue, and at an early stage it is felt only by the person himself, and then it is heard even at a distance. The swelling joins and not only the joint, but also the shoulder, forearm, the skin may redden. All this indicates the presence of an inflammatory process.
At a late 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 some specificity depending on the degree: at each stage, the disease can manifest itself in different ways.
Depending on the degree
At the first stage of the disease, the pain bothers only in the morning and at night. It can take time for a person to get rid of the "stiffness. "A sharp movement is accompanied by a slight crunch, which is not the cause of 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 begins in the second degree, when the manifestations become more pronounced.
Symptoms in the second stage are supplemented by a more pronounced crunch and pain. It is no longer possible to fully move the arm, however, the mobility of the joint is preserved. At this stage, destruction and deformation of cartilage occurs, there are characteristic manifestations on the radiograph.
In the third degree, the process can be considered ongoing, and drug treatment is already minimally successful. In this case, only slight swinging movements are possible, and acute pain becomes a constant companion. The joint area is very inflamed, joins deformity, pain in the shoulder and forearm area. Therefore, post-traumatic arthrosis most often manifests itself, 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 talk about the joint, as such, because it simply does not exist. Post-traumatic osteoarthritis leads to this condition, especially if the injury is severe. Drugs, even the most powerful, cannot cope with pain. This stage can be found in elderly and senile people. The pain often radiates to the forearm and only proper treatment can help.
Treatment
There are special medicines that can stop the disease. The main thing is to prescribe treatment with them as soon as possible, even if the arthrosis is post-traumatic.
Medicines
First, there are the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. There are a huge number of them, and only a doctor can choose the right one. In addition to reducing pain, the inflammatory process is also eliminated. Treatment with these drugs is carried out in courses, otherwise the effect on cartilage may be negative.
Also, drugs have a negative effect on the gastric mucosa. With caution, they are assigned to those who have problems with this organism. Long-term use may result in 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, since it destroys the cartilage. Local use of ointments, which also effectively relieve pain, is justified.
The scheme is supplemented with drugs called chondroprotectors. It will take a long time to treat the disease with these drugs, but they contribute to the restoration of cartilage tissue and the normal functioning of the joint. 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 obtain excellent results. With this disease, treatment is carried out with the help of:
- magnet therapy;
- therapeutic baths;
- To be;
- ultrasound;
- dirt.
In parallel, special exercises are performed to increase the range of motion in the joint. Gymnastics has many techniques that are prescribed depending on the degree and stage of the disease.
It is best 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 necessary. A shoulder joint endoprosthesis can solve the problem. They completely replace everything old and worn out, the prosthesis itself is made of metal or ceramic. The service life of such an implant is approximately 15-25 years.
Treating this disease is very difficult and not always possible. Success only has an integrated approach, in which the treatment consists of drugs that are supplemented by gymnastics or special exercises, physiotherapy. Particularly concerned about the disease in the right shoulder, as this is the hand that is working.
It is better to treat the disease at an early stage and not take it to extremes. If arthrosis is treated at the first stage, many negative consequences can be avoided. But it is not recommended to treat this disease on your own.