Our joints experience constant stress throughout our lives. As a result, the cartilage tissue wears out, and the bone tissue is deformed and arthrosis of the shoulder joint occurs, which has become one of the most common problems for older and older people.
The progression of the disease can lead to complete restriction of movement and constant pain in the joints. Therefore, treatment for arthrosis should begin at the first manifestation of the disease.
What is arthrosis of the shoulder joint
Dystrophic changes in cartilage and bone tissue adjacent to the shoulder joint are defined in medicine as arthrosis of the shoulder joint ICD-10 - M19. 91. Most often, arthrosis occurs in the acromioclavicular joint of the shoulder, which most often experiences constant pressure and severe pressure during the day.
Under the influence of injuries and various inflammatory processes, cartilage tissue is damaged and gradually weakens, becomes fragile and thin. Cracks form in the cartilage, where salt begins to be deposited, accelerating the destructive process in the cartilage tissue. As a result of such salt deposits, bone tissue becomes dense and begins to change shape, and acromioclavicular arthrosis develops.
This process occurs slowly and chronically; at first it is asymptomatic, but gradually the manifestation of the disease increases and over time can cause complete immobility in the joint area.
The following factors can trigger the beginning of the pathological process:
- A shoulder injury that has caused the joint to become deformed and cause inflammation.
- Insufficient blood supply to the shoulder joint, which lasts for a long time - this condition can be caused by vascular disorders.
- Continuous high loads on joints are observed among construction workers, athletes, and loaders.
- Congenital joint pathology.
- Poor nutrition and, as a result, metabolic disorders.
Important! The most common form of the disease is post-traumatic arthrosis of the shoulder joint, ICD-10 code - M19. 91.
The shoulder joint is one of the most mobile in humans, which causes quite frequent injuries to the joint. Even small injuries to the joints that are repeated regularly and over a long period of time lead to the development of arthrosis. Arthrosis of the right shoulder joint is the most common, because the majority of the population is "right-handed" and the load on the right side is always higher.
Causes and factors for the development of the disease
Often, arthrosis is diagnosed in older people, and the older the person, the more likely the pathology is detected.
Causes and prerequisites for the development of shoulder arthrosis:
- injury. Fractures, bruises, and dislocations affect the bone tissue and cartilage of the shoulder joint, causing various complications - damage to the capsule, rupture of ligaments. Timely treatment prevents the development of complications and the occurrence of arthrosis.
- Vascular pathology. Diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and varicose veins can affect the development of arthrosis. Also, the risk of this disease increases in people who abuse cigarettes.
- Physical inactivity. Lack of physical activity, coupled with overeating, causes extra pounds. As a result, the metabolism is disturbed, which leads to impaired blood circulation in the cartilage and periarticular tissue - arthrosis develops.
- Hormonal and immune disorders- gout, psoriasis, etc.
- Joint disease– synovitis, chronic and acute arthritis, aseptic tissue necrosis.
- Diseases of the endocrine system and metabolic disorders. This condition causes the body to become deficient in vitamins and minerals needed for joint health (such as calcium and phosphorus). This has a negative effect on the condition of the joint and complicates the recovery process in it.
Often, arthrosis does not occur under the influence of one factor; its development is promoted by a combination of several reasons simultaneously.
Types and symptoms of shoulder arthrosis
Since the development of arthrosis continues for a long time, at first the disease can be said to be invisible, only sometimes felt after severe physical load or hypothermia.
The main symptoms of arthrosis:
Shoulder pain. This is the main sign of arthrosis - the pain is of a different nature, usually increases with movement and with load on the shoulder joint. The pain causes discomfort, which limits shoulder mobility.Crackling sound when moving . Salt deposits in the shoulder joint cause a characteristic pulsating (or clicking) sound in the joint when moving.Restriction of movement . It manifests itself depending on the stage of arthrosis - at the beginning of the disease there is no restriction, during exacerbation the patient cannot freely rotate and move the arm.
Sometimes the localization of pain may be atypical and may be painful in the arm or elbow. By palpation, you can determine the main source of pain - the lower edge of the scapula and collarbone.
Notes! In the early stages, stage 1 arthrosis does not cause any symptoms. This is due to the absence of nerve endings in cartilage tissue, as a result of which the disease begins to manifest itself when the pathological process goes beyond the joint. .
Depending on the nature and degree of damage to bone and cartilage tissue, there are three stages of arthrosis, which are characterized by certain symptoms.
| ill | Occurs rarely - usually in the evening or morning, after exercise or hypothermia | Intense pain that occurs with any movement | The pain persists, even at rest |
| Restriction of movement | Little by little | The possible amplitude of movement is reduced | Sharp and sometimes complete limitation of mobility. The abduction of the arm and its height become impossible. The hand has to be held in a forced position, which is very painful |
| Creaking and throbbing in the shoulder joints | Light crunching sound when moving suddenly - no pain | With every movement you hear a clear crunch and sound | A constant rattling sound is heard with any movement |
| Local manifestations (redness and swelling in the joint area, increased temperature at the site of the disease) | Absent | Appears during the period of exacerbation | There is inflammation in the joints all the time |
| Joint stiffness | Absent | Occurs rarely | There is stiffening and deformation of the shoulder |
| Changes in the joints can be seen on x-rays | Absent | Signs of joint deformation, narrowing of the joint space, and the appearance of osteophytes are visible | The effects of joint destruction are visible |
The duration of the first stage can last from several months to several years. Arthrosis of the shoulder joint of the 3rd degree is treated only with the help of surgical measures, because the condition threatens disability.
One type of pathology is arthrosis deformation of the shoulder joint. This condition means the destruction of joint cartilage, causing irreversible changes in the bone surface of the joint. In addition to the cartilage tissue, such changes also affect the joint capsule and synovial membrane, which leads to the destruction and deformation of the shoulder joint.
Deformable arthrosis is manifested by pain and dull pain in the shoulder joint, which increases when the weather changes and at night. The pathology is chronic, which does not allow it to be completely cured, but it will help relieve unpleasant symptoms and stop the destructive process in the tissue.
How to cure arthrosis in the shoulder joint
Before treating shoulder arthrosis, several diagnostic steps are carried out to determine the form and stage of arthrosis. Among such measures, it is necessary to carry out laboratory and biochemical blood tests, which can confirm the presence of inflammatory processes in the body.
If shoulder arthrosis is suspected, the patient is asked to carry out several self-diagnostic measures:
- Place your hands between your shoulder blades in the shape of a lock;
- Tie a belt behind your waist;
- Bend your elbows at shoulder level and brush the hair at the back of your head.
If the patient performs all these activities without difficulty, then he is not at risk of arthrosis. But if completing the task is difficult and causes pain in the collarbone and shoulder area, more in-depth research is needed - fluoroscopy and magnetic resonance imaging are used for a more accurate diagnosis.
Arthrosis of the 2nd stage and the first stage of the disease is treated using conservative methods; only if there is no result, surgical measures can be used.
Conservative methods of arthrosis treatment are carried out in combination, when treatment is carried out in several directions at once:
- Treatment with drugs;
- Physiotherapy;
- Treatment with traditional methods;
- Therapeutic gymnastics and acupuncture;
- Special diet;
- Spa treatment.
Important! An important condition for the treatment of shoulder arthrosis is to ensure the entire shoulder joint (this is easier to do when arthrosis of the left shoulder joint is observed), and a gentle regimen should be used even after the end of the course. therapy. If the patient continues to load the shoulder girdle, the disease will develop, which will eventually lead to surgery.
Surgical procedures include endoprosthetic surgery - replacing the diseased (worn) joint with its artificial counterpart. This operation is expensive, and although it significantly improves the patient's quality of life, it has the disadvantage that the operation must be repeated every 10-15 years.
Drug treatment
Treatment with drugs has several directions - pain relief, relief of the inflammatory process and direct restoration of cartilage tissue.
Medicines and pills
To eliminate inflammation and pain, the following groups of drugs are used:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Analgesic and antispasmodic.
These drugs can be prescribed either orally or intramuscularly (in the form of injections). They relieve pain well and relieve inflammation, but they should not be taken for a long time - treatment is carried out in short courses.
Cartilage tissue destruction is treated with drugs from the chondroprotectors group, which include active ingredients: glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid.
Chondroprotectors are valuable building materials for cartilage tissue, but the drugs have a restorative effect only in the first two stages. The first results from the use of chondroprotectors are observed only 3 months after use, and the general course of treatment is about a year.
When treating arthrosis, it is mandatory to take food supplements and vitamin-mineral complexes that contain substances that prevent the demineralization of articular tissue.
For severe inflammatory processes, a method called "intra-articular blockade" is used. The essence of this technique is the introduction of hormonal drugs into the cavity of the acromion joint. Such injections have a strong anti-inflammatory effect, but have many side effects, so they cannot always be used in treatment.
Ointment
For external use, ointment applied to the skin in the area of the shoulder joint is used effectively. Ointment for arthrosis has an anesthetic effect, contains anti-inflammatory substances and agents that improve blood circulation.
Important! Ointments for arthrosis help relieve unpleasant symptoms, but they cannot cure the disease.
The advantage of ointments over painkillers is that they have a local anesthetic effect without damaging the gastrointestinal tract. But they also have a drawback - with the intensity of the pain syndrome, they cannot always relieve pain quickly.
Physiotherapy
The main method of treating arthrosis in the first stage is taking medication. Physiotherapy procedures can improve the effect of medication and also reduce the possibility of side effects.
The following therapeutic methods are used in the treatment of arthrosis:
- Electrophoresis;
- Exposure to magnetic fields;
- Exposure to radiation (ultraviolet, infrared, laser);
- Ultrasound.
Physiotherapy activities are carried out several times a year - in courses. The type and method of treatment is selected individually for each patient, depending on the stage of the disease, the age of the patient and other indications.
Treatment at home
Treatment of arthrosis of the shoulder joint at home is carried out in addition to drug therapy, with the permission of the attending physician.
Gymnastics and exercise therapy
Physical therapy for arthrosis of the shoulder joint should be carried out only in the remission stage; during exacerbation, gymnastic exercises are contraindicated.
Exercise therapy exercises are available on the Internet, but all must be approved by your doctor.
Important! You should not choose exercises for arthrosis on your own, no matter where the authoritative site describes this procedure and no matter what laudatory reviews accompany it. Many of them have contraindications and can cause harm instead of benefit - therefore, before starting training, you should definitely consult a doctor.
Rules for home exercises for arthrosis:
- Exercise therapy should not be performed if there is a decompensated disease of the lungs and heart, there is a high temperature, or there is a disease for which any physical activity is contraindicated.
- Exercise should not cause pain. Otherwise, they are chosen incorrectly and can cause complications.
- When treating arthrosis of the shoulder joint, gymnastics requires regularity - it should be done every day. At first, training should take no more than 5 minutes a day, gradually increasing the time to 20 minutes.
- You need to do exercises gradually - first on the strength of the quarter, then gradually increase the load. The intensity of the movement and its amplitude should increase gradually. The older the age and the longer the period of inactive lifestyle, the slower the process of increasing intensity.
- Exercises are carried out in a light, semi-relaxed state - sitting or lying down.
A number of simple exercises can be done independently every day at any convenient time: raising and lowering the shoulders, swinging the arms forward and backward, rotating the shoulders.
massage
Massage for arthrosis of the shoulder joint should be done immediately after exercise therapy and gymnastics. This will help improve blood circulation in the shoulder joint and promote cartilage tissue recovery.
Massage can be done only if the acute pain subsides and the inflammatory process subsides.
During the procedure, not only the sore shoulder is massaged, but also the collar area on both sides, as well as the forearm area.
Diet
Nutritional rules for arthrosis - elimination of factors that influence the development of the disease and metabolic disorders.
Basic principles of diet:
- Limit sweet, starchy, fatty and salty foods.
- Reduce salt intake to a minimum.
- Reduce portion sizes, but increase the number of meals (eat in small portions, but often).
- Replace the use of animal fats with dairy and vegetable fats.
- Increase the number of dairy dishes in your diet, which are a source of calcium, as well as seafood and fish (a source of collagen and phosphorus).
- Include more fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.
If you have arthrosis, you should not starve - the menu should be designed in such a way as to increase the supply of nutrients without harming the body and reduce the amount of harmful food.
ethnoscience
Doctors recommend home treatment using folk remedies in addition to medical therapy:
- Pork fat is mixed in equal proportions with propolis. The resulting ointment is applied with a massaging motion to the shoulder joint area.
- To relieve pain, herbal baths using decoctions of chamomile, burdock, and nettle are recommended.
- A folk remedy for arthrosis is oats. They are brewed in boiling water, after which the decoction is used to make a compress for the shoulders, which is used at night.
Folk remedies do not cause side effects and have no contraindications for use.
Prevention
Preventive measures to prevent arthrosis involve minimizing the factors that cause the disease.
General recommendations:
- Elimination of insufficient load on the joints related to sports or professional activities.
- Minimize the risk of injury to the shoulder joint.
- Mandatory consultation with a therapist in case of injury or pain in the shoulder joint to minimize the risk of complications.
- Prevent the appearance of excess weight - control your diet and carry out daily physical activity (gymnastics, walking, swimming).
- In old age, use drugs that promote the regeneration of cartilage and bone tissue.
Shoulder joint arthrosis is a dangerous disease that can lead to complete immobility of the joint and disability. You should see a doctor at the first signs of illness. Treatment of arthrosis must be comprehensive and include conservative and alternative therapy methods.