Osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis) is a degenerative disease of the cartilage tissue, in which the normal function of the joint is disturbed. In most cases, the disease is chronic. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder is characterized by pain and gradual loss of function in the hand. Most often, the pathology is detected in old age. The causes of osteoarthritis are senile changes in the body, shoulder injuries, birth defects, and constant stress on the shoulder girdle. If a person is facing discomfort in the shoulder girdle, it is necessary to consult a doctor and undergo an examination. With the help of a complex effect, it is possible to stop the development of degenerative changes.
What is osteoarthritis of the shoulder?
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder - damage to the cartilage tissue of the joint, during which degenerative changes occur. The blood supply is interrupted in the cartilage tissue, as a result of which it stops receiving a sufficient amount of nutrients and oxygen.People who daily experience excessive stress on their shoulders and have birth defects in joint tissues are at risk.In the early stages, the person experiences pain, but normal shoulder functionality is preserved. If the provoking factors are not eliminated, the disease will cause serious damage to health.
Diagnosis plays an important role in the treatment of osteoarthritis. With the help of X-rays, it is possible to accurately determine the cause of the ailment and the degree of damage.
Anatomical background
Congenital disorders of the structure of the joints and connective tissue can become the causes of the appearance of the disease. If a person has features in the structure of the shoulder girdle, even an ordinary load can provoke the appearance of arthrosis. To avoid problems, you will need to take preventive measures and regularly visit a doctor. Congenital dysplasia can be controlled with massage and exercise therapy.
Causes and risk factors
All older people are at risk.According to WHO statistics, the probability of developing osteoarthritis after 45 years increases significantly.By the age of 65, more than 50% of people have this disease. Among the reasons for the early onset of the disease are:
- damage to the rotator cuff of the shoulder;
- shoulder injury;
- constant stress associated with sports or work;
- infectious and autoimmune pathologies;
- obesity;
- improper metabolism.
The older a person gets, the greater the risk of developing degenerative joint damage.
Points of view
The defeat of cartilaginous tissue is divided into primary and secondary. The diagnosis of primary osteoarthritis is made if there are no concomitant diseases. It is usually detected in old age. The reason for its appearance is age-related changes. Secondary sight occurs due to injury or in the context of another disease. Also, the disease is classified by location.Degenerative changes in the shoulder can occur in the area of the shoulder joint or the acromioclavicular joint.
Stages of development and symptoms
Symptoms depend on the stage of development of osteoarthritis of the shoulder. The pathology is divided into three stages:
- First. . . There are painful pains that intensify at night, the functionality of the shoulder girdle is preserved.
- The second. . . When moving the hands, a crunch is heard, the pain is constant, there is limited mobility of the shoulder.
- Third. . . Severe pain, the arm is fixed in one position, the bumps are visible in the affected area, a strong deformation of the joint is noted on the X-ray.
The disease may not develop for a long time. If a person continues to load the shoulder girdle, the condition worsens.
Which doctor to contact
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is treated by different doctors. The initial examination is performed by a therapist or rheumatologist. In addition, the following specialists may participate in the treatment:
- surgeon;
- orthopedist;
- neurologist.
In most cases, the treatment regimen is set by a rheumatologist.The help of a surgeon is necessary if the disease requires surgical treatment or intra-articular manipulations.Consultation with a neurologist is necessary if the nerve bundle has been compressed due to disease.
Only after a diagnostic examination will the therapist or rheumatologist determine whether the help of other specialists is needed.
Diagnostics
Hardware and laboratory tests, as well as manual examination, are used to make an accurate diagnosis. First, an inspection with various tests is carried out. The history of the person is studied. All of this helps to make a preliminary diagnosis. In addition, MRI and X-rays are used to determine the degree of narrowing of the joint space, the condition of the blood vessels, the synovium, and the tendons.
Manual examination
Manual examination includes palpation of the affected area and performing diagnostic tests. Pain usually appears on palpation of the acromioclavicular joint. If a person has trouble putting the hand behind the head, this may indicate the presence of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint. During a manual exam, the doctor will be able to detect inflammation. The information obtained during the manual examination plays an important role in the diagnosis.The examination should be performed by an experienced rheumatologist or therapist, so as not to cause harm during functional tests and tests.
Instrumental methods
Instrumental research methods allow you to determine:
- the degree of narrowing of the joint space;
- uneven joint surface;
- location of osteoarthritis.
After using instrumental diagnostic methods, the necessary therapy is selected. X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs are used for diagnosis. These methods provide the necessary information. The instrumental examination can be repeated during treatment.
Laboratory
Laboratory tests allow you to assess the condition of the body as a whole, as well as exclude inflammatory arthritis. First, blood is drawn for analysis. With osteoarthritis, all indications for clinical and biochemical blood tests are within normal limits. With arthritis, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, the amount of immunoglobulins and other markers of the inflammatory process in the body increase significantly. Based on the results obtained, the doctor makes a final diagnosis and selects an effective treatment regimen.
For accurate results, donate blood in the morning on an empty stomach.
Treatment
The treatment approach is complex. Medications, physical therapy, physical therapy exercises are used. If the disease is advanced or does not respond to treatment, surgery is used. Basic principles of therapy:
- ease the pain;
- stop the development of the disease;
- initiate the mechanisms of restoration of cartilage tissue.
At the initial stage, the result is achieved through the use of drugs.It is important to exclude provoking factors. Stable remission is achieved through physical therapy and exercise therapy.
Medicine
The following groups of drugs can be used for treatment:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory;
- chondroprotectors;
- corticosteroids;
- vasodilators.
NSAIDs and corticosteroids are used to relieve pain. They apply for a limited period of time. Chondroprotectors can accelerate the restoration of cartilage tissue. Vasodilators help improve blood flow and relieve spasm of small vessels.
Before prescribing this or that remedy, it is necessary to carefully study the contraindications. Only a doctor can correctly combine all medications.
Surgical
Surgical intervention is carried out only as a last resort, when irreversible degenerative processes have occurred. The reasons for the operation are:
- lack of effect of conservative therapy;
- the appearance of complications;
- the appearance of severe degenerative changes.
If the joint has lost its original appearance, an arthroplasty is performed.The diseased joint is replaced with an artificial one. The operation is complex and requires high qualifications from the surgeon. Puncture and arthroscopy can also be done to treat osteoarthritis.
Puncture
The puncture is done if a large amount of fluid has accumulated in the joint cavity. In addition, this procedure is performed with infectious inflammations in order to determine the type of infection. Removing excess fluid helps reduce pressure on the shoulder joint and increases its mobility. The procedure is minimally invasive, so recovery after its completion is carried out as soon as possible. Puncture has indications and contraindications. It is used only in case of accumulation of fluid in the joint capsule or if there is a suspicion of an infectious complication of osteoarthritis.
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique that removes cartilage from the damaged shoulder. The operation is performed with endoscopic equipment and a microcamera. The advantage of this method of treatment is quick rehabilitation. Removing the destroyed cartilage allows you to relieve stress and restore joint mobility. The disadvantage of the procedure is that access to the affected area is somewhat limited.
Endoprosthesis
The endoprosthesis is a complete replacement of a damaged joint with a biocompatible analog.Titanium construction is commonly used. The operation allows you to get rid of even stage 3 arthrosis. Long-term rehabilitation is carried out after stenting. As a result, it is possible to achieve the complete removal of the affected areas and chronic pain, as well as to restore the mobility of the shoulder girdle.
The operation is not always possible. In older people, the rehabilitation period is much more difficult. Other treatment options are used before the appointment of arthroplasty.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy procedures play an important role in the elimination of osteoarthritis of the shoulder girdle. With its help, it is possible to restore normal joint mobility and reduce the severity of pain. The following procedures are carried out:
- electrophoresis;
- local cryotherapy;
- magnetotherapy.
Physiotherapy can be used if there are no acute manifestations of the disease (severe pain, limited mobility). Regular exposure will completely eliminate the discomfort. Any procedure must be performed by a qualified technician.Before visiting physiotherapy rooms, you should consult with your doctor.
Kinesitherapy
Kinesitherapy refers to the use of active and passive methods to restore the functionality of the shoulder. If the illness is mild, the person can begin to use an active method of recovery through exercise. The passive method consists of external exposure through massage or mechanotherapy. Kinesitherapy helps to quickly get rid of the manifestations of arthrosis of the shoulder joint.
The passive method of recovery through mechanotherapy is available to people of any age.
Exercise therapy
Physical therapy exercises allow you to load the muscles and restore mobility of the shoulder joint. Static exercises are mainly used. Dynamic loading in which active shoulder rotation takes place is undesirable. The following exercises can be performed:
- Shoulder roll- It is required to take the starting position, sit on a chair and put your hands on your knees. Relax your shoulders and then begin rocking your elbows. At the same time, the hands are on the knees.
- Slow rotation- You should sit in a chair and put your hands on your knees, then begin to slowly rotate your shoulders with short pauses. Circular movements are done back and forth.
Physical therapy can only be used during remission, when pain and limited movement are almost completely absent.
Massage
Massaging the affected area allows you to obtain the following effects:
- improve tissue nutrition;
- relieve swelling
- tone muscles;
- eliminate pain.
It is advisable that all actions are carried out by a qualified specialist. When performing self-massage, strong pressure and sudden movements should be avoided.The result of the massage effect is noticeable a few weeks after regular use.
The massage must be accompanied by other activities. If a person performs exercises from the exercise therapy complex and visits a massage parlor, he will get excellent results.
Mechanotherapy
Mechanotherapy means a set of exercises that are performed on specialized mechanisms. This method allows you to recover in the shortest possible time. Mechanotherapy is ideal for rehabilitation after surgery. Special mechanisms allow you to adjust the load, allowing faster recovery of muscles and ligaments. All actions are carried out under stationary conditions. Classes on rehabilitation mechanisms must be taught with an instructor. She will correctly select the load and the necessary simulator.
Joint traction
The joints are stretched using a specialized device. With this procedure, the following effects can be achieved:
- improve blood circulation;
- enlarge the joint space;
- relieve ligament tension.
Joint space narrowing is one of the main manifestations of osteoarthritis. With this procedure, you can improve the situation. The degree of load is selected individually. Initially, the traction is done with minimal weights.
Before prescribing joint traction, it is necessary to conduct an examination for possible contraindications.
Popular methods
Traditional methods allow you to get rid of pain and accelerate the process of restoration of cartilage tissue. The following remedies can be applied:
- Burdock leaves- Fresh burdock leaves are crushed until soft and applied to the affected area for 30-60 minutes. Fixing is done with gauze.
- Salt compress- Dissolve 50 g of salt in 450 ml of water, after which a gauze is placed in the liquid. The gauze is removed, heated, and applied to the shoulder for 45 minutes.
- Jelly- 2 teaspoons of gelatin should be diluted in 100 ml of warm water, after which the liquid is heated to a boil. Gelatin is taken by mouth once a day before meals. It favors the restoration of cartilage tissue.
Traditional methods will help to achieve a good result in therapy. It is advisable to use them during remission.
Diet for osteoarthritis
With any type of osteoarthritis (shoulder, wrist, ankle), you need to provide your body with all the nutrients for the rapid restoration of cartilage tissue. You will need to add the following foods to your diet:
- walnuts;
- saved;
- gelatinous gelatin;
- buckwheat porridge;
- eggs.
Nutrition must be balanced. Vitamin supplements can be taken to obtain essential vitamins and minerals. It is advisable to eat 4 to 5 times a day. During the treatment of osteoarthritis, alcoholic beverages and sweets are excluded. If a person wants to achieve a long-lasting remission, they will need to adhere to the principles of proper nutrition on an ongoing basis.
Complications and prognosis
The prognosis depends on the age of the person, the degree of damage, the individual characteristics of the organism. At an early age, it is possible to achieve a complete restoration of cartilage tissue and joint functionality. In old age, you will need to adhere to certain rules to get a lasting improvement in the condition. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder responds better to therapy than osteoarthritis of the foot, as the shoulder girdle is easy to isolate from stress. This allows a more effective conservative treatment.
Differences between osteoarthritis and arthritis of the shoulder
Osteoarthritis and arthritis have the same manifestations, but differ in clinical picture. The main difference is that osteoarthritis is a non-inflammatory disease.In the early stages, pain in arthrosis worries a person only after exercise, and in arthritis it is constant.Arthritis is an inflammatory-degenerative disease. Its treatment is somewhat different from that of osteoarthritis.
In order not to confuse these diseases, differential diagnosis methods are used. Laboratory and instrumental studies will help accurately determine the presence or absence of inflammation.
Prophylaxis
The prevention of osteoarthritis consists of eliminating the provoking factors and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. You will need to do the following:
- engage in moderate physical activity;
- avoid hypothermia;
- use chondroprotectors;
- avoid hard physical work;
- Reduce body weight to normal.
Preventive actions will help maintain healthy joints until old age. Prevention should be followed with special care by people over 45 years of age or who actively participate in sports.
conclusions
- Osteoarthritis of the shoulder is a degenerative disease in which there is a gradual destruction of the cartilaginous tissue of the joint.As a result, the person is in pain and movement is limited.
- Treatment of the disease includesthe use of drugs, the performance of physiotherapy and the performance of exercises from the complex of physiotherapy exercises.
- At an early stage in the course of the disease, the prognosis for complete recovery is favorable.
- Prevention can significantly reduce the likelihood of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.