Shoulder joint problems 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 deals with these problems. In general, osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint has its own specific symptoms and is characterized by degenerative processes not only in the cartilage itself. Often the capsule, ligament apparatus and joint 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 osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint. It develops due to several factors, some are tackled by a rheumatologist and some will require the help of a traumatologist.
The most common cause of osteoarthritis is traumatic injury. This is seen in athletes as a result of microtrauma, during a habitual dislocation or after a fracture. So arthrosis 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, osteoarthritis of the right and left shoulder joint develops. Often this condition can be observed with excessive physical exertion.
Often the reasons lie in hormonal disorders or autoimmune damage to cartilage. In the latter case, a rheumatologist deals with this 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 the age of 50.
Symptoms
Shoulder joint osteoarthritis develops over a long period of time and its symptoms do not reveal themselves. 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 starts with pain, which first manifests itself in osteoarthritis. The joint hurts, especially in the morning or when the weather changes. When lifting weights, this symptom is also actively felt, often the shoulder area cannot be touched. As symptoms progress, osteoarthritis appears even at rest. In addition to joint pain, symptoms can be in the back, forearm, or elbow.
Symptoms are complemented by restriction of movement, the main reasons for this are pain. A person normally cannot perform simple actions, for example, combing or brushing teeth.
The scratch simulation test allows you to discover the presence of osteoarthritis.
It's also hard to get your hand back. If medication and gymnastics are not prescribed in time, contractures simply cannot be avoided.
It complements the symptoms of crunching, which can appear to any degree. It occurs due to the growth of bone tissue, and at an early stage only the person himself feels it, and then he is heard even from a distance. Swelling joint and not only the joint, but also the shoulder, forearm, skin may turn red. All this indicates the presence of an inflammatory process.
Late in 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
In the first stage of the disease, the pain only bothers in the morning and at night. It can take time for a person to get rid of "stiffness". A jerky movement is accompanied by a slight grinding, which is not the cause of the pain.
At rest, with this degree of pain, there is no pain in the same way that there is no change on the radiograph. It all starts in the second degree, when the manifestations become more pronounced.
Symptoms in the second stage are complemented by a more pronounced crisis and pain. It is no longer possible to fully move the arm, however joint mobility is preserved. At this stage, cartilage destruction and deformation occurs, there are characteristic manifestations on X-ray.
In the third degree, the process can be considered in progress, and drug treatment is already minimally successful. In this case, only light rocking movements are possible, and sharp pain becomes a constant companion. The joint area becomes very inflamed, deformity, pain in the shoulder and forearm area come together. Thus, post-traumatic arthrosis is most often manifested, 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 speak of articulation as such, because it simply does not exist. Post-traumatic osteoarthritis leads to this condition, especially if the injury is severe. Drugs, even potent ones, are not able to deal with pain. You can know this phase 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 are 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 removed. Treatment with these drugs is carried out in courses, otherwise the effect on cartilage can be negative.
In addition, drugs have a negative effect on the gastric mucosa. With caution, they are assigned to those who have problems with this organ. Prolonged 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, but it is not safe for the joint itself, as it destroys the cartilage, justifying the local use of ointments, which also effectively relieve pain.
The regimen is supplemented by 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 normal joint function. The composition includes glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid. The effect continues for a long time, even after the drugs are discontinued.
Physiotherapy and Gymnastics
There are many techniques that practically do not use drugs, but allow for excellent results. With this disease, treatment is carried out with the help of:
- magnetotherapy;
- therapeutic baths;
- laser;
- 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 better to carry out exercises under the supervision of an experienced doctor, who will choose the ideal ones.
Operation
When gymnastics and drug treatment do not help, surgery is necessary. An endoprosthesis of the shoulder joint can solve the problem. They completely replace everything that is old and worn out, the prosthesis itself is made of metal or ceramic. The lifespan of such an implant is approximately 15 to 25 years.
Treating this disease is very difficult and not always possible. Success has only an integrated approach, where 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 osteoarthritis is treated in the first stage, many negative consequences can be avoided. But it is not recommended to treat this disease on your own.