Shoulder osteoarthritis isjoint disease, which is characterized by the breakdown, wear and destruction of cartilage as well as adjacent bone tissue. The disease is also called adhesive capsulitis, humeroscapular polyarthritis, frozen shoulder syndrome.
The disease belongs to the category of chronic, progressive. Initially, the disease develops, as a rule, unnoticed by the patient. At this time, it can only be diagnosed by X-ray. Then the first minor symptoms appear: for example, pain when trying to put a spoon to your mouth. The symptoms worsen, and subsequently the mobility of the affected arm is severely or completely limited. A person's quality of life decreases, sleep deteriorates, as it is almost impossible to choose a position in which pain is eliminated.
There are two main manifestations of the disease. The first is pain (first observed during movement, later - at rest). The second manifestation is muscle restriction (contracture). For example, the patient cannot raise his arms or put them back.
Cartilage problems occur in many people. According to statistics, osteoarthritis is diagnosed in 7% of the population. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is less dangerous than, for example, osteoarthritis of the hip joint, but the consequences are still frightening. We are talking about complete immobility of the hand, and this is a catastrophic inconvenience in everyday life and unsuitability for most types of work.
The danger of the disease lies in the fact that the damage it has managed to cause cannot be corrected. It is important to identify osteoarthritis in the early stages of development, so if the slightest discomfort occurs, begin to closely monitor your shoulder.
For the first time, the pain may try to be relieved with medication. Pain can be caused, for example, by awkward movements, weight lifting or sports. If the pain does not disappear after 3-4 days, see a doctor. First you can test for joint mobility: make a movement that mimics wearing an apron (put your hands behind your back). If you feel pain at the same time, then the trip to the doctor should never be delayed. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is an "insidious" disease and only your vigilance will help to stop it in time.
Causes of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
- Natural wear and tear of cartilage. The risk group is people over 50 years, but it is worth paying special attention to the condition of the joints after 40. At this age it is desirable to reduce the load on them.
- Injuries. The process of breaking down cartilage and bone tissue can cause mechanical damage. This can be not only a serious injury, but also several micro-injuries that occur in athletes, for example.
- A sport that puts a lot of strain on the shoulder joint. We are talking about tennis, rowing, swimming, handball, volleyball.
- Circulatory disorders in the shoulders. It can be caused by disease, genetic factors or trauma.
- Work related to the transfer of burdens. Osteoarthritis develops due to constant tension of the muscles of the shoulder joint.
- Rheumatoid arthritis, although rare, still leads to the development of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.
- autoimmune disorders.
- Disorders of the endocrine system.
- Some metabolic diseases, gout and others.
- genetic predisposition. If there are cases of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint in the family, one should limit the load on the joint and undergo examinations by a specialist.
Stages of development of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
- First stage. From time to time the joint may crack. The pain appears in the morning and evening. Pain can occur in bad weather. Discomfort during movements exists, but after the "development" of the hand, everything returns to normal.
- Second stage. The mobility of the arm deteriorates significantly. At this stage, a person begins to "adapt" his movements to the existing inconveniences: for example, while wearing a jacket, you should avoid throwing a strong hand behind your back when wearing a jacket. The symptoms of the first stage intensify.
- Third stage. The joint is completely immobilized. The amplitude of hand movements is limited to a few degrees. The pain is felt constantly. Due to the immobility of the joint, the muscles of the shoulder girdle begin to atrophy.
- Fourth stage. The arm is completely immobilized. The joint hardens and the bones grow together because there is no cartilage between them. The pain is strong. It is not always removed with painkillers.
Already in the second stage the symptoms of the disease are clearly visible and therefore the disease rarely reaches the third and fourth stages. This happens if the patient completely ignores the problem or tries to get rid of it with the help of self-medication. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is a complex disease that only a doctor can eliminate.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the shoulder
- Pain at rest or while moving.
- Discomfort in changing weather conditions.
- Pain after prolonged exercise that lasts a day or more.
- crunching.
- Stiffness due to pain.
- Swelling of the joints.
- Feeling of fever in this area (a sign of an inflammatory process).
- Sleep problems due to inability to lie on the side of pain for a long time.
Symptoms can vary greatly from patient to patient. Much depends on the cause of the disease and its course. We talked about the main signs that should prompt the idea of visiting a doctor in the beginning: these are pain and stiffness. If you find these symptoms, you should definitely see a specialist. The intervention of a doctor with such serious symptoms is necessary, even if it is not arthrosis, but something else.
Diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
The diagnosis begins with the collection of anamnesis. The patient tells the specialist about the symptoms and when the signs of the disease appeared. The patient must remember whether this discomfort is preceded by injuries, bruises, sprains.
The doctor then performs a visual examination of the affected area. Swelling and other visible manifestations of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint can be identified at this stage. To assess the mobility of the joint, the doctor asks the patient to undergo primitive tests. For example, bring your hands to the lock behind your back. It is very likely that the disease will "manifest" at this stage.
Specialists use methods for hardware diagnostics.
- Radiography. Confirms or rejects the diagnosis. Allows you to determine the location of the lesion, the inflammatory process. Gives information about the distance between the bones: if they are too close to each other, then the cartilage has begun to wear out.
- NMR. Provides information on the condition of tendons and cartilage.
- CT scan. Provides a 3D X-ray of the study area, which allows you to evaluate the overall picture.
Modern diagnostic methods not only allow to identify osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, but also provide information about the stage of the disease and its course. This allows doctors to accurately design therapies.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
The main task is to stop the development of the disease, to improve the mobility of the joints, to relieve pain and to improve the quality of life of the patient. Consider the methods that doctors use to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.
- Medicines. Painkillers are used to relieve pain. Drugs that improve blood circulation are also used (if necessary).
- Light driving mode.
- Diet.
- Massage. Metameric (acupressure) massage is especially effective.
- metameric method. Designed by Vladimir Andreevich Bersenev. This suggests an effect on the affected neurometers and ultimately on the affected joints. The main procedure is metameric injections, which are injected into the affected area. They stop the process of degradation and destruction, improve joint mobility.
As in the case of osteoarthritis of the knee or hip, treatment works only when the therapy is tailored to the individual characteristics of the patient, the symptoms and stage of the disease. There is no template that is effective in all cases.
Conclusion
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is a complex disease, but with a timely visit to the doctor, the prognosis is positive. If you find yourself with the above symptoms, do not delay a visit to a specialist for later. Delay every day complicates the treatment procedure and worsens the prognosis. Contact a specialized medical center, where your doctor will develop an individual treatment regimen that will help overcome this disease.