Shoulder joint arthrosis isjoint disease, characterized by the degradation, abrasion, and destruction of cartilage and adjacent bone tissue. The disease is also called adhesive sheath inflammation, humeroscapular polyarthrosis, and frozen shoulder syndrome.
The disease falls into the chronic, progressive category. At first, the disease usually develops unnoticed by the patient. Currently, it can only be diagnosed with an x-ray. This is when the first minor symptoms appear: pain, for example, when you try to take a spoon to your mouth. Symptoms worsen and the mobility of the affected arm is severely or completely restricted thereafter. A person’s quality of life decreases, sleep deteriorates as it is almost impossible to choose a position in which the pain disappears.
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 raise or retract his arm.
Cartilage problems occur in many people. According to statistics, arthrosis is diagnosed in 7% of the population. Arthrosis of the shoulder joint is less dangerous than arthrosis of the hip joint, but the consequences are still frightening. We are talking about the complete immobility of the hand, and this is a catastrophic discomfort in everyday life and unsuitable for most jobs.
The danger of the disease is that the damage it causes cannot be corrected. It is important to identify arthrosis in the early stages of development, so if you experience the slightest discomfort, start watching your shoulders carefully.
You can first try to relieve the pain with medication. Pain can be caused by, for example, awkward movement, heavy lifting or sports. If the pain does not go away after 3-4 days, see a doctor. You can test the mobility of your joints first: make a movement that mimics the apron you put on (put your hand behind your back). If you feel pain at the same time, you should never delay your trip to the doctor. Arthrosis of the shoulder joint is a "lame" disease, and only your alertness will help you stop it in time.
Causes of arthrosis of the shoulder joint
- Natural wear of cartilage. The risk group is over 50 years of age, but it is worth paying special attention to the condition of the joints after 40 years, at this age it is desirable to reduce the load.
- Injuries. The process of degradation of cartilage and bone tissue can cause mechanical damage. It can be not only a serious injury, but also several microtraumas that occur in athletes, for example.
- Doing a sport that puts a lot of strain on your shoulder joint. We talk about tennis, rowing, swimming, handball, volleyball.
- Circulatory disorders in the shoulder area. It can be caused by diseases, genetic factors or trauma.
- Weight transfer work. Arthrosis is caused by the constant tension in the muscles of the shoulder joint.
- Rheumatoid polyarthritis, although rare, leads to the development of arthrosis of the shoulder joint.
- autoimmune disorders.
- Endocrine disorders.
- Some metabolic diseases, gout, etc.
- genetic predisposition. If there are cases of shoulder joint arthrosis in the family, a person should limit the load on the joint and have it examined by a professional.
Developmental stages of arthrosis of the shoulder joint
- First phase. The joint may crack at times. The pain occurs in the morning and in the evening. Pain can occur at the wrong time. There is an uncomfortable feeling during the movements, but after the hand "develops", everything returns to normal.
- Second stage. The motor skills of the hand deteriorate significantly. At this stage, the person begins to "adapt" his movements to the existing discomfort: for example, when wearing a jacket, he should avoid throwing his strong arm behind his back when wearing a jacket. The symptoms of the first stage intensify.
- Third stage. The joint is fully immobilized. The amplitude of the hand movements is limited to a few degrees. The pain is constantly felt. Due to the immobility of the joint, the muscles of the shoulder girdle begin to atrophy.
- Fourth section. The hand is completely immobile. The joint hardens, the bones come together because there is no cartilage between them. The pain is strong. It is not always possible to remove it with an analgesic.
Already in the second stage, the symptoms of the disease are clearly visible, so the disease rarely reaches the third and fourth stages. This occurs when the patient completely ignores the problem or tries to get rid of it with self-medication. Arthrosis of the shoulder joint is a complex disease that can only be cured by a doctor.
Symptoms of shoulder osteoarthritis
- Pain at rest or in motion.
- Inconvenience under changing weather conditions.
- Pain after a long workout that lasts for a day or more.
- to crack.
- Stiffness due to pain.
- Swelling of the joint area.
- Feeling of elevated temperature in this area (sign of an inflammatory process).
- Sleep problems are due to the inability to lie on the side of the pain for a long time.
Symptoms can vary greatly from patient to patient. Much depends on the cause and course of the disease. We talked about the main signs that raise the idea of seeing a doctor right from the start: these are pain and stiffness. If you notice these symptoms, be sure to consult a specialist. With such severe symptoms, medical intervention is required, even if it is not arthrosis but something else.
Diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
Diagnosis begins with a collection of medical history. The patient tells the doctor about the symptoms and when the signs of the disease first appeared. The patient should remember whether this discomfort was preceded by injuries, bruises, or dislocations.
The doctor will then visually examine the affected area. Swelling and other visible manifestations of shoulder arthrosis can be identified at this stage. To assess joint mobility, the physician requests primitive examinations from the patient. For example, move your hand to the lock behind your back. Most likely, the disease is already "manifesting" at this stage.
Specialists use hardware diagnostic methods.
- Radiography. Confirms or refutes the diagnosis. It makes it possible to determine the location of the injury, the inflammatory process. It gives information about the distance between the bones: if they are too close together, the cartilage will start to wear out.
- MRI. Provides information on the condition of tendons and cartilage.
- CT scan. It provides 3D X-rays of the study area, which allows the overall image to be evaluated.
Modern diagnostic methods not only allow the identification of arthrosis of the shoulder joint, but also provide information on the stage and course of the disease. This allows physicians to accurately plan therapy.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
The main task is to stop the disease from developing, to improve joint mobility, to relieve pain and to improve the patient's quality of life. Consider the methods doctors use to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.
- Medicines. Painkillers are used to relieve pain. Medicines that improve blood circulation are also used (if needed).
- Gentle driving style.
- Diet.
- Massage. Metameric (accurate) massage is especially effective.
- metamer method. Designed by Vladimir Andreevich Bersenev. This affects the affected neurometamers and ultimately the affected joints. The main procedure is metameric injections, which are injected into the affected area. They stop the process of degradation and destruction, improve the mobility of the joints.
As with knee or hip arthrosis, treatment only works if the treatment is tailored to the patient's individual characteristics, symptoms, and stage of the disease. There is no template that is effective in all cases.
Conclusion
Arthrosis of the shoulder joint is a complex disease, but with a timely visit to the doctor, the prognosis is positive. If you experience any of the above symptoms, do not delay the visit to a specialist. The day of each delay complicates the treatment procedure and worsens the prognosis. Contact a specialist health center where your doctor will work out an individual treatment plan to help you fight this condition.