Shoulder arthrosis is a pathological process that occurs in patients over 50 years of age. Like many other illnesses, illness can cause uncomfortable sensations to occur. The initial form of the disease is characterized as arthrosis 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 cartilaginous joint and its elements. Often, the disease process begins to actively develop, as a result of the patient's diagnosis of arthritis and inflammation.
The disease can occur in the context of exposure to various factors. The most common include:
- joint joint injury (dislocation, hematoma, fracture) characterized by capsule injury or ligament rupture;
- identification of diseases of the cardiovascular system in a patient (processes, as a result of which organs and systems do not receive the optimal amount of blood and oxygen);
- the presence of excess body weight (there is an increased load on the joints).
Symptomatic manifestations of arthrosis of the shoulder joint can manifest with different strength and frequency. At the initial stage of the development of the disease, the patient has a manifestation of minor pain or discomfort (especially in the process of finding the shoulder in a certain position). After that, for a certain period of time, the disease process slows down, after which it again makes itself felt, while actively developing. Pain in the joint, as a rule, has a pulling or aching character, its intensity varies depending on the load. The pain syndrome may have a different location. It can be distributed over the entire shoulder area or just in certain joint areas. As a result, the patient's upper limb motor activity is disturbed and the pathological process transitions to a chronic form. Symptoms and treatment of the disease, which is selected later, largely depend on the characteristics of the patient's age.
Diagnosis
Before giving voice to the conclusion, the specialist doctor guides the patient to carry out diagnostic measures. At the first appointment, the doctor performs a thorough examination of the affected joint, after which he collects the most detailed information about the patient's lifestyle, professional activities, and injury details. In the palpation process, the nature of joint mobility and the disease process are studied.
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 illness
The diagnosis is made based on available information about the patient's symptoms and general well-being. In this case, a general blood and urine analysis cannot provide the necessary information about the joint disease process. A laboratory study of joint fluid in 1st degree shoulder joint osteoarthritis reveals an increase in the viscosity of the biological material and an increase in the protein content. Computed imaging and MRI are not considered any less informative. Despite the accuracy and informative content, the procedure has a relatively high cost, therefore, not every patient can afford this exam.
2 degrees
When 2nd degree osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is detected, in addition to examination and questioning, the following diagnostic methods are used: ultrasound, arthroscopy, scintigraphy and thermography. All these techniques allow establishing the nature of joint space narrowing, bone tissue compaction, presence of cystic neoplasms or bone tissue fragments in the joint area. The 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 wen.
3 degrees
Identification of 3rd degree osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint involves an extended examination option. In addition to the basic methods, the patient must undergo a biochemical blood test (to identify markers of the inflammatory process), immunological studies to determine the stage of the disease process and a biopsy of cartilaginous tissue, which allows the diagnosis of the patient with greater possible accuracy.
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 aim to eliminate the main signs:
- reduction in the manifestation of pain;
- elimination of signs of the inflammatory process;
- normalization of the general state of cartilaginous tissue;
- return of limb mobility;
- normalization of metabolic processes in the body.
The treatment of 2nd degree deforming arthrosis of the shoulder joint involves the use of complex therapy, which involves the use of several therapeutic methods at the same time.
Medical treatment
Treatment of the disease with the help of drugs involves the use of means of various effects:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - eliminate signs of the inflammatory process, manifestations of pain in the joint. They are prescribed exclusively by a specialist doctor, as the complexes are capable of provoking a negative reaction of the body. They are recommended to be taken with caution for 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 ulcerative formations.
- intra-articular block. The procedure for joint disease involves the use of corticosteroids in the form of injections injected directly into the affected area.
- Hormonal and non-hormonal topical preparations. They can be applied in the form of gels or ointments.
In this case, the use of drugs against joint diseases is extremely necessary, since all other methods of therapy have a cumulative effect and give positive results only after a certain period of time.
Physiotherapy and exercises
Physical therapy procedures and physical therapy exercises are not considered less effective and useful. Most often, with a joint disease, they 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;
- magnetotherapy - 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 implementation of therapeutic measures with the help of leeches, it is effective in detecting stages 1 and 2 of the disease;
- manual therapy - involves massage not only by a specialist, but also independently at home.
Don't forget about physical education. Gymnastics in case of arthrosis of the shoulder joint plays an important role, therefore, classes should be regular and take into account all the features of the disease process. It is necessary to discuss with the doctor in advance the permissible load, which exercises can be performed and what is the duration of classes for such a disease.
Surgery
In the absence of the effectiveness of the above methods of treating the disease and identifying the ongoing development of the disease, doctors are forced to resort to surgical treatment.
The procedure usually involves the installation of an endoprosthesis. The method is considered invasive, allowing the replacement of destroyed joint fragments with artificial options.
The technique allows not only to get rid of the symptoms that appear, but also to restore the lost activity of the upper limb.
Folk remedies
In addition to traditional methods of treating the disease, traditional medicine recipes are not considered any less effective. To alleviate the pain manifestations of the joint disease process, the use of cabbage or burdock is recommended. Before use, the plant must be extended to the juice extraction stage, after which it must be applied to the shoulder. The compress is covered with a cloth on top to keep the heat as long as possible. The procedure takes several hours.
Many experts strongly recommend bathing with herbal mixtures. It can be prepared from mustard and hay powder in a certain proportion. The duration of the bath is from 15 minutes to half an hour. After the procedure, it is advisable to dress warmly. The use of cinquefoil-based compresses is allowed. Previously, the medicinal plant is dried. To prepare a compress for joint diseases, you will need three tablespoons of the main component and pork fat. Many experts recommend adding a teaspoon of red pepper. This will improve the blood circulation process. Such actions are allowed in the absence of discomfort, violations of the integrity of the skin (in the form of reddening of the epidermis), the absence of an increase in body temperature and signs of an inflammatory process. The use of the remedy for a disease in most cases is carried out when a chronic form of the disease process is detected.
Prevention
To prevent the onset of joint diseases and their subsequent spread, the patient should receive the most sparing treatment. This is especially necessary if the patient is elderly or elderly. Mandatory favorable conditions include optimal body temperature, compliance with the rules of personal hygiene and established health requirements, timely exercise, monitoring of food quality and intake of necessary vitamins and microelements, visiting a specialist doctor at least twice a year.