Problems with the shoulder joint are not as common as those with the hip or knee, but they do exist, and among them it is worth highlighting arthrosis of the shoulder joint, whosesymptoms and treatment have their own characteristics. In most cases, a rheumatologist takes care of these problems. In general, arthrosis of the shoulder joint has its own specific symptoms and is characterized by degenerative processes not only in the cartilage itself. Very often, the capsule, the ligamentous apparatus and the articular bags suffer from this, there are a lot of them.
As a result of all this, 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 arthrosis of the shoulder joint. It develops due to various factors, some are fought by a rheumatologist, and some will require the help of a traumatologist.
The most common cause of osteoarthritis is a traumatic injury. This is observed in athletes following a microtrauma, during a habitual dislocation or after a fracture. Second, osteoarthritis is post-traumatic and requires its own treatment approach.
With the pathology of blood vessels, tissues lack oxygen, tissue dystrophy occurs. As a result, arthrosis of the right and left shoulder joint develops. Often this condition can be observed with excessive physical exertion.
Often the reasons lie in hormonal disturbances or autoimmune damage to the cartilage. In the latter case, a rheumatologist treats such arthrosis of the shoulder joint. Arthrosis occurs, for example, with psoriasis, gout.
It is certain that the causes can be hidden in heredity, especially if the parents suffered from this disease. In addition, osteoarthritis can develop in people with birth defects of the shoulder joint.
Symptoms can also appear due to age, as the cartilage wears down. People over 50 are at risk.
Symptoms
Arthrosis of the shoulder joint 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 even mild symptoms appear, immediately consult a doctor.
It all starts with pain, which first manifests as osteoarthritis. Joint pain, especially in the morning or when the weather changes. When lifting weights, this symptom also makes itself felt actively, often the shoulder area cannot even be touched. As symptoms progress, osteoarthritis appears even at rest. In addition to joint pain, symptoms may be in the back, forearm, or elbow.
Symptoms are supplemented by restriction of movement, the main reasons for this are pain. A person cannot normally perform simple actions, for example, combing his hair or brushing his teeth.
The scratch simulation test helps to discover the presence of osteoarthritis.
It is also difficult to regain control. If medications and gymnastics are not prescribed in time, contractures simply cannot be avoided.
Complements cracking symptoms, which can appear to any degree. This happens due to the growth of bone tissue, and at an early stage only the person himself feels it, and then it is heard even at a distance. Puffiness joins and not only on the joint, but also on the shoulder, on the forearm, the skin can turn red. All this indicates the presence of an inflammatory process.
At an advanced stage of the disease, the abduction of the arm to the side becomes problematic. This is due to growths that abundantly cover the joint area. There is a certain specificity depending on the degree - at each stage the disease can manifest itself in different ways.
According to the degree
At the first stage of the disease, the pain bothers only in the morning and in the evening. It may take time for a person to get rid of "stiffness". A sudden movement is accompanied by a slight creak, 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 x-ray film. Everything begins in the second degree, when the manifestations are accentuated.
The symptoms of the second stage are complemented by a more pronounced tightening and pain. It is no longer possible to move the arm completely, however the mobility of the joint is preserved. At this stage, the destruction and deformation of the cartilage occurs, there are characteristic manifestations on the x-ray.
In the third degree, the process can be considered running, and drug treatment is already having little success. In this case, only slight rocking movements are possible, and sharp pain becomes a constant companion. The joint area becomes very inflamed, deformation, pain in the shoulder and forearm area. Thus, post-traumatic arthrosis most often manifests itself, which can be in 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, there is no need to talk about the articulation as such, because it simply does not exist. Post-traumatic osteoarthritis leads to this condition, especially if the injury is severe. Medications, even strong ones, are not able to cope with pain. You may experience this stage in elderly and senile people. The pain often radiates to the forearm and only proper treatment can help.
Treatment
There are special drugs that can stop the disease. The main thing is to prescribe treatment for them as soon as possible, even if the arthrosis is post-traumatic.
Medications
First, nonsteroidal 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 suppressed. Treatment with these drugs is carried out in the course, otherwise the effect on the cartilage may 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 body. Long-term use may lead to ulcer.
Local treatment
With a strong inflammatory process, hormone drugs are injected into the joint. The drugs have a local anti-inflammatory effect, however, it is not safe for the joint itself, as it destroys the cartilage. Local use of ointments is justified, which also effectively relieves pain.
The diet is supplemented with 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 the normal functioning of the joint. The composition includes glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid. The effect continues for a long time, even after stopping the medication.
Physiotherapy and gymnastics
There are many techniques that practically do not use drugs, but allow you to achieve excellent results. With this disease, treatment is carried out with the help of:
- magnetic therapy;
- therapeutic baths;
- laser;
- ultrasound;
- dirt.
In parallel, special exercises are performed to increase the range of motion of the joint. Gymnastics has many techniques that are prescribed depending on the degree and stage of the disease.
It is better to perform exercises under the supervision of an experienced doctor, who will choose the optimal ones.
Operation
When gymnastics and drug treatment do not help, it is necessary to do surgery. A shoulder joint endoprosthesis 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 about 15-25 years.
Treating this disease is very difficult and not always possible. Success has only an integrated approach, in which the treatment consists of drugs supplemented with gymnastics or special exercises, physiotherapy. Particularly worried about the disease of the right shoulder, since it is the hand that works.
It is better to treat the disease at an early stage and not take it to extremes. If arthrosis is treated at the first stage, many negative consequences can be avoided. But it is not recommended to treat this disease on your own.