Osteoarthritis of the shoulder is a pathological process that occurs in patients over 50 years of age. Like many other diseases, the disease can provoke unpleasant sensations. The initial form of the disease is characterized as osteoarthritis of the 1st degree of the shoulder joint, which has a certain set of symptomatic manifestations and factors that can negatively affect the subsequent development.
Causes and symptoms of occurrence
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is a violation of the integrity of the cartilage joint and its elements. Very often the disease process begins to develop actively, as a result of which the patient is diagnosed with arthritis and inflammation.
The disease can occur against the background of exposure to various factors. The most common include:
- joint injury (sprain, bruise, fracture), characterized by damage to the capsule or rupture of ligaments;
- identification of diseases of the cardiovascular system in a patient (processes as a result of which the organs and systems do not receive the optimal amount of blood and oxygen);
- the presence of overweight (there is an increased load on the joints).
Symptomatic manifestations of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint can occur with varying intensity and frequency. In the initial stage of the disease, the patient has a manifestation of mild pain or discomfort (especially in the process of finding the shoulder in a certain position). Then for a certain period of time the disease process subsides, after which it is felt again while actively developing. Joint pain, as a rule, has a pulling or painful nature, their intensity varies depending on the load. The pain syndrome may have different localization. It can be distributed over the entire shoulder area or only in certain joint areas. As a result, the patient's motor activity of the upper limb and the transition of the pathological process to a chronic form is impaired. The symptoms and treatment of the disease, which is chosen later, largely depend on the age characteristics of the patient.
Diagnosis
Before expressing the conclusion, the medical specialist directs the patient to perform diagnostic measures. At the first appointment, the doctor performs an in-depth examination of the affected joint, then collects the most detailed information about the patient's lifestyle, professional activities and details of the injury. The nature of the mobility of the joint and the process of the disease are studied in the process of palpation.
X-rays are recommended for more information. The resulting picture makes it possible to determine the nature of the development of the disease and the stage of its neglect.
When making a diagnosis, it is especially important to take into account the presence of concomitant diseases in the body.
1 degree of disease
The diagnosis is made on the basis of available information about the patient's symptoms and general well-being. In this case, the general analysis of blood and urine can not give the necessary information about the process of joint disease. In the laboratory examination of the joint fluid in arthrosis of the shoulder joint of the 1st degree, an increased viscosity of the biological material and an increase in the protein content are established. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are considered no less informative. Despite the accuracy and information content, the procedure has a relatively high cost, so not every patient can afford such a study.
2nd degree
In the detection of arthrosis of the 2nd degree of the shoulder joint, in addition to examination and questioning, the following diagnostic methods are used: ultrasound, arthroscopy, scintigraphy and thermography. All these techniques make it possible to determine the nature of the narrowing of the joint space, the thickening of the bone tissue, the presence of cystic neoplasms or fragments of bone tissue in the area of the articulation. Ultrasound examination of the disease helps to determine the thickness of cartilage on the surface of all areas, to identify the possible presence of erosions and veins.
3rd degree
Identification of grade 3 osteoarthritis of the shoulder includes the possibility of an extended examination. In addition to the basic methods, the patient must undergo a biochemical blood test (to identify markers of the inflammatory process), immunological tests to determine the stage of the disease process and a biopsy of cartilage tissue that allows the patient to be diagnosed as accurately as possible.
Treatment
Despite the form of the pathological process of the joint revealed in the patient, he will have to undergo long-term treatment. Traditional and non-traditional methods of therapy are aimed at eliminating the main symptoms:
- reduction of pain;
- elimination of signs of the inflammatory process;
- normalization of the general condition of the cartilage tissue;
- restoration of limb mobility;
- normalization of metabolic processes in the body.
The treatment of grade 2 deformity of the shoulder joint involves the use of complex therapy, which involves the use of several therapeutic methods at once.
Medical treatment
Treatment of the disease with the help of drugs involves the use of drugs with different effects:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - eliminate the signs of the inflammatory process, the manifestations of joint pain. They are prescribed exclusively by a medical professional, as the complexes are able to provoke a negative reaction of the body. It is recommended to be taken with caution in those patients who have a problem with the functionality of the gastrointestinal tract, as the components of the composition have the ability to provoke the development of ulcers.
- intra-articular blockade. The joint disease procedure involves the use of corticosteroids in the form of injections injected directly into the affected area.
- Hormonal and non-hormonal preparations for topical application. They can be applied in the form of gels or ointments.
In this case, the use of drugs against joint disease is extremely necessary, as all other methods of therapy have a cumulative effect and give positive results only after a certain period of time.
Physiotherapy and exercises
Physiotherapy procedures and physiotherapy exercises are considered no less effective and useful. Most often in joint disease are prescribed:
- laser therapy - improves blood flow and normalizes metabolic processes in the body;
- acupuncture - allows you to activate the body's own forces in the fight against the pathological process;
- magnetic therapy - strengthening the body's immune system, which allows the damaged area of the joint to heal more actively due to the restoration of blood flow;
- hirudotherapy - is the application of therapeutic measures with the help of leeches, is effective in detecting stages 1 and 2 of the disease;
- manual therapy - includes massage not only by a specialist, but also at home.
Don't forget about physical education. Gymnastics in osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint plays an important role, so classes should be regular and take into account all the characteristics of the disease process. It is necessary to discuss in advance with the doctor the allowable load, what exercises are allowed to perform and what is the duration of classes for such a disease.
Surgery
In the absence of effectiveness of the above methods of treatment of the disease and in identifying the continuing development of the disease, doctors are forced to resort to surgical treatment.
The procedure most often involves the placement of an endoprosthesis. The method is considered invasive, allowing the replacement of destroyed fragments of the joint with artificial variants.
The technique allows not only to get rid of the symptoms, but also to restore the lost activity of the upper limb.
Folk remedies
In addition to traditional methods of treating the disease, the recipes of traditional medicine are considered no less effective. The use of cabbage or burdock is recommended to relieve the pain of the joint disease process. Before use, the plant should be rolled to the stage of juice extraction, and then applied to the shoulder. The compress is covered with a towel on top to keep the heat as long as possible. The procedure takes several hours.
Many experts strongly recommend bathing with herbal mixtures for joints. It can be prepared from mustard and hay powder in a certain ratio. The duration of the bath is from 15 minutes to half an hour. After the procedure it is recommended to dress warmly. It is allowed to use compresses based on cinquefoil. Before that, the medicinal plant is dried. To prepare a compress for joint diseases, you will need three tablespoons of the main component and lard. Many experts recommend adding a teaspoon of paprika. This will improve the blood circulation process. Such actions are permissible in the absence of discomfort, violations of the integrity of the skin (in the form of redness of the epidermis), lack of fever and signs of inflammation. The use of the drug for disease in most cases is carried out at the detection of a chronic form of the disease process.
Prevention
In order to prevent the occurrence of joint disease and its subsequent spread, the patient should be provided with the most gentle treatment. This is especially necessary if the patient is elderly. Mandatory favorable conditions include optimal body temperature, compliance with the rules of personal hygiene and established sanitary requirements, timely physical activity, monitoring the quality of food and intake of essential vitamins and trace elements, a visit to a medical professional at least twice a year.