Shoulder osteoarthritis isjoint disease, which is characterized by the degradation, wear and destruction of cartilage, as well as adjacent bone tissues. The disease is also called adhesive capsulitis, humeroscapular polyarthrosis, frozen shoulder syndrome.
The disease belongs to the category of chronic, progressive. At first, the disease develops, as a rule, unnoticed by the patient. At this time, it can only be diagnosed through an x-ray. Then the first minor symptoms appear: for example, pain when trying to take a spoon to the mouth. Symptoms increase and, later, the mobility of the affected arm is severely or completely limited. A person's quality of life decreases, sleep worsens, 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 lift the arms or bring 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 unsuitable for most types of work.
The danger of illness lies in the fact that the harm it has caused cannot be corrected. It is important to identify osteoarthritis in the early stages of development, so if the slightest discomfort occurs, start carefully monitoring your shoulder.
For the first time, the pain that has appeared can be tried to be eliminated with medication. The pain can be caused, for example, by clumsy movements, weight lifting or sports. If the pain doesn't go away after 3-4 days, see your doctor. You can test joint mobility first: do a movement that mimics putting on an apron (put your hands behind your back). If pain is felt at the same time, a visit 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 shoulder joint osteoarthritis
- Natural cartilage wear. The risk group consists of people over 50 years old, 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 cartilage and bone tissue degradation can trigger mechanical damage. It can be not only a serious injury, but also various microtraumas, which, for example, occur in athletes.
- Playing a sport that puts a lot of stress on the shoulder joint. We're talking tennis, rowing, swimming, handball, volleyball.
- Circulatory disorders in the shoulder region. It can be caused by disease, genetic factors, or trauma.
- Work associated with transferring weights. Osteoarthritis develops due to constant strain on the muscles of the shoulder joint.
- Rheumatoid polyarthritis, although infrequent, still leads to the development of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.
- autoimmune disorders.
- Disorders of the endocrine system.
- Some metabolic diseases, gout, etc.
- genetic predisposition. If there are cases of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint in the family, then a person needs to limit the load on the joint, undergo examinations with a specialist.
Developmental stages of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
- First step. The joint may occasionally pop. The pain occurs in the morning and at night. Pain can occur during bad weather. There is discomfort during the movements, but after the "development" of the hand, everything returns to normal.
- Second stage. Hand motor skills deteriorate significantly. At this stage, the person begins to "adapt" their movements to the existing inconveniences: for example, when wearing a jacket, one should avoid throwing a strong arm behind one's back when wearing a jacket. Stage one symptoms intensify.
- Third stage. The joint is completely immobilized. The range of hand movements is limited to a few degrees. Pain is felt constantly. Due to the immobility of the joint, the shoulder girdle muscles begin to atrophy.
- Fourth step. The hand is completely immobilized. The joint stiffens and the bones grow together as there is no cartilage between them. The pain is strong. It is not always removed by pain relievers.
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.
Shoulder osteoarthritis symptoms
- Pain at rest or during movement.
- Discomfort during changing weather conditions.
- Pain after prolonged exercise lasting a day or more.
- grinding.
- Stiffness of movement due to pain.
- Swelling of the joint area.
- A sensation of high temperature in this area (sign of an inflammatory process).
- Sleep problems due to the inability to lie next to the 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 lead to the idea of seeing a doctor at the beginning: they are pain and stiffness. If you encounter these symptoms, you should definitely visit a specialist. A doctor's intervention is needed with such severe symptoms, even if it's not osteoarthritis, 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 first signs of the disease appeared. The patient needs to remember whether this discomfort was preceded by injuries, bruises, dislocations.
Next, the doctor performs a visual examination of the affected area. At this stage, swelling and other visible manifestations of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint can be determined. To assess joint mobility, the doctor asks the patient to perform primitive tests. For example, bring your hands to the lock behind your back. With a high degree of probability, the disease will "manifest" itself at this stage.
Specialists use hardware diagnostic methods.
- X-ray. Confirms or refutes the diagnosis. It allows to establish the location of the lesion, the inflammatory process. It gives information about the distance between the bones: if they are too close together, the cartilage has started to wear out.
- MRI. Provides information about the condition of tendons and cartilage.
- computed tomography. Provides a 3D radiograph of the area being examined, which allows you to assess the overall image.
Modern diagnostic methods not only make it possible to identify osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, but also provide information about the stage of the disease and its course. This allows clinicians to accurately design therapies.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
The main task is to stop the development of the disease, improve joint mobility, relieve pain and improve the patient's quality of life. Consider the methods doctors use to treat shoulder joint osteoarthritis.
- Medication. Analgesics are used to relieve pain. Medicines that improve blood circulation are also used (if necessary).
- Smooth driving mode.
- Diet.
- Massage. Metameric (point) massage is especially effective.
- metameric method. Designed by Vladimir Andreevich Bersenev. It implies an effect on the affected neurometamers and, ultimately, on the affected joints. The main procedure is metameric injections that 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 joint, treatment only works when therapy is tailored to the patient's individual characteristics, symptoms and stage of the disease. There is no one model 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, don't put off visiting a specialist until later. Each day of delay complicates the treatment procedure and worsens the prognosis. Contact a specialist medical center where your doctor will develop an individual treatment regimen that will help you overcome this illness.