Shoulder joint problems are not as common as hip or knee, but they do exist, and among them it is worth highlighting arthrosis of the shoulder joint, the symptoms and treatment of which have their own characteristics. In most cases, rheumatologists deal with this problem. In general, arthrosis of the shoulder joint has its own specific symptoms and is characterized by degenerative processes not only in the cartilage itself. Often, capsules, ligament apparatus and articular bags suffer, of which there are many.
As a result of all that happens, the joints are 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 situation 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 a variety of factors, some being fought by rheumatologists, and some requiring the help of a traumatologist.
The most common cause of osteoarthritis is a traumatic injury. This is observed in athletes as a result of microtrauma, during normal dislocations or after fractures. Then the arthrosis is post -traumatic and requires its own treatment approach.
With vascular pathology, tissues lack oxygen, tissue dystrophy occurs. As a result, arthrosis of both the right and left shoulder joints develops. Often this condition can be observed with excessive physical effort.
Often the reason lies in hormonal disorders or autoimmune damage to the cartilage. In the latter case, the rheumatologist treats arthrosis of the shoulder joint. Arthrosis occurs, for example, with psoriasis, gout.
It can be believed that the cause may be hidden in the offspring, especially if the parents suffer from the disease. Also, arthrosis can develop in people with congenital defects in the shoulder joint.
Symptoms may also appear due to age, due to worn cartilage. At risk are people over the age of 50.
symptoms
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint develops over a long period of time, and the symptoms do not go away. In this case, you need to constantly monitor the condition of the shoulder joint and, if slight symptoms appear, immediately see a doctor.
It all started with pain, which first indicated arthrosis. Joint pain, especially in the morning or when the weather changes. When lifting weights, this symptom also makes him feel active, often the shoulder part cannot be touched. As symptoms develop, arthrosis appears even at rest. In addition to joint pain, symptoms may be in the back, forearms, or elbows.
Symptoms are compounded by restriction of movement, the main reason for this lies in pain. A person usually cannot perform simple actions, for example, combing or brushing teeth.
The scratching simulation test lets you know the presence of arthrosis.
It’s also hard to take back your hands. If medication and gymnastics are not prescribed in a timely manner, then contractions cannot be avoided.
Complement crunching symptoms, which can appear at any level. It occurs due to the growth of bone tissue, and, in the early stages, only the person himself feels it, and then he is heard even at a distance. Swelling of the joints and not only the joints, but also the shoulders, forearms, skin can turn red. All this indicates the presence of inflammatory processes.
In the later stages of the disease, abduction of the arm to the side becomes a problem. This occurs due to the extensive growth covering the joint area. There are some specificities depending on the stage - at each stage, the disease can manifest in different ways.
Depending on the degree
In the first stage of the disease, the pain bothers only in the morning and evening. It may take time for someone to get rid of the "stiffness". Sharp movements are accompanied by a slight crunch, which is not the cause of pain.
During rest, with this level of pain, there is no pain in the same way as there is no change on the x-ray film. It all starts in the second stage, when the manifestations become more pronounced.
Symptoms in the second stage are accompanied by more pronounced dryness and pain. It is no longer possible to move the arm fully, however, joint mobility is preserved. At this stage, destruction and deformation of cartilage occurs, there are characteristic manifestations on X-rays.
In the third stage, the process can be considered running, and drug treatment already has minimal success. 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 shoulders and forearms join. Therefore, post -traumatic arthrosis is most often indicated, which can be in the area of the right or left shoulder joint.
If you do not do special exercises, the muscles will atrophy. Only surgical treatment can help in this case. However, it rarely reaches this level, only in the case of persistent overload.
With the fourth level, there is no need to talk about the joint, as it were, because it does not exist. Post -traumatic arthrosis leads to this condition, especially if the injury is severe. Drugs, even powerful ones, can’t alleviate the pain. You can find this stage in the elderly and senile. The pain often radiates to the forearms, and only adequate treatment can help.
Treatment
There are special medications that can stop this disease. The main thing is to prescribe treatment with them as early as possible, even if the arthrosis is post -traumatic.
Medications
In the first place are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. There are a large 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 the course, otherwise the effect on cartilage may be negative.
Also, drugs have a negative effect on the gastric mucosa. Carefully, they are assigned to those who have problems with this body. Long -term use can result in ulcers.
Local treatment
With a strong inflammatory process, hormone -based drugs are injected into the joints. The drugs have a local anti-inflammatory effect, however, this is not safe for the joint itself, as this destroys the cartilage. The use of local ointments is desirable, which are also effective in relieving pain.
The scheme is supplemented with drugs called chondroprotectors. It will take a long time to treat the disease with these drugs, but it contributes to the restoration of cartilage tissue and normal joint function. The composition includes glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid. The effects persist for a long time, even after the drug has been stopped.
Physiotherapy and gymnastics
There are many techniques that practically do not use drugs, but allow you to get excellent results. With this disease, treatment is carried out with the help of:
- magnetotherapy;
- therapeutic baths;
- laser;
- ultrasound;
- shit.
In parallel, special exercises are performed to increase the range of motion in the joints. Gymnastics has many prescribed techniques depending on the stage and stage of the disease.
It is better to do the exercises under the supervision of an experienced doctor, who will choose the optimal one.
Operation
When gymnastics and drug treatment do not help, it is necessary to perform surgery. Endoprosthesis of the shoulder joint can solve the problem. They completely replace all the old and obsolete, the prosthesis itself is made of metal or ceramic. The service life of such implants is about 15 to 25 years.
To treat this disease is very difficult and not always possible. Success only has an integrated approach, where treatment consists of medications complemented by gymnastics or special training, physiotherapy. Especially worried about the disease in the right shoulder, because this is a working hand.
It is better to treat the disease at an early stage and not take it in an extreme way. If arthrosis is treated in the first stage, many negative consequences can be avoided. But it is not recommended to treat the disease yourself.