Problems of the shoulder joint are not as common as those of the hip or knee, but they do exist, and among them it is worth highlighting arthrosis of the shoulder joint, the symptoms and treatment of which have their own characteristics. In most cases, a rheumatologist deals with 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, ligamentous apparatus and articular bags suffer, of which there are many.
As a result of everything that happens, 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 traumatic injury. This is observed in athletes as a result of microtrauma, during a habitual dislocation or after a fracture. Then arthrosis is post-traumatic and requires its own approach to treatment.
With the pathology of blood vessels, the tissues experience a lack of oxygen, tissue dystrophy occurs. As a result, arthrosis of both the right and left shoulder joint develops. Often this condition can be observed with excessive physical exertion.
Often the reasons lie in hormonal disruptions or autoimmune damage to the cartilage. In the latter case, a rheumatologist deals with such arthrosis of the shoulder joint. Arthrosis occurs, for example, with psoriasis, gout.
It is reliable that the causes may be hidden in heredity, especially if the parents suffered from this disease. Also, arthrosis can develop in people with congenital defects of the shoulder joint.
Symptoms may also appear due to age, as the cartilage wears out. At risk are people over 50.
Symptoms
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint develops over a long period of time, and its symptoms do not give themselves away. In this regard, you need to constantly monitor the condition of the shoulder joint and, if even slight symptoms appear, immediately consult a doctor.
It all starts with pain, which first manifests arthrosis. The joint aches, 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 the symptoms progress, arthrosis appears even at rest. In addition to joint pain, symptoms may be in the back, forearm, or elbow.
The symptoms are supplemented by restriction of movements, the main reasons for this lie in the pain. A person cannot normally perform simple actions, for example, comb or brush their teeth.
The scratching simulation test allows you to find out the presence of arthrosis.
It is also difficult to take your hand back. If medication and gymnastics are not prescribed on time, then contractures simply cannot be avoided.
Complements the symptoms of crunching, which can appear at any degree. It occurs due to the growth of bone tissue, and, at an early stage, only the person himself feels it, and then he is heard even at a distance. Puffiness joins and not only the joint, but also the shoulder, forearm, the skin may turn red. All this indicates the presence of an inflammatory process.
At a late stage of the disease, abduction of the arm to the side becomes a problem. This happens due to growths that abundantly cover the joint area. There is some specificity depending on the degree - at each stage, the disease can manifest itself in different ways.
Depending on the degree
In the first stage of the disease, pain bothers only in the morning and in the evening. It may take time for a person to get rid of "stiffness". A sharp movement is accompanied by a slight crunch, which is not the cause of pain.
At rest, with this degree of pain, there is no pain in the same way as there are no changes on the x-ray film. It all starts at the second degree, when the manifestations become more pronounced.
Symptoms in the second stage are complemented by a more pronounced crunch and pain. It is no longer possible to fully move the arm, 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.
At the third degree, the process can be considered running, and drug treatment already has minimal success. In this case, only light rocking movements are possible, and a sharp pain becomes a constant companion. The joint area becomes very inflamed, deformity, pain in the shoulder and forearm area joins. Thus, post-traumatic arthrosis is most often manifested, which can be in the region of 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, it is not necessary to talk about the joint, as such, because it simply does not exist. Post-traumatic arthrosis leads to this condition, especially if the injury is severe. Drugs, even potent ones, are not able to cope with pain. You can meet this stage in elderly and senile people. The pain often radiates to the forearm, and only adequate treatment can help.
Treatment
There are special medications that can stop the disease. The main thing is to prescribe treatment with them as early as possible, even if arthrosis is post-traumatic.
Medicines
In the first place are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. There are a large number of them, and only a doctor can choose the right one. In addition to reducing pain, the inflammatory process is also removed. Treatment with these drugs is carried out in courses, otherwise, the effect on the cartilage may be negative.
Also, 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 result in an ulcer.
Local treatment
With a strong inflammatory process, drugs based on hormones are injected into the joint. The drugs have a local anti-inflammatory effect, however, this is not safe for the joint itself, since this destroys the cartilage. Local use of ointments is justified, which also effectively relieve pain.
The scheme is supplemented by 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 function of the joint. The composition includes glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid. The effect continues for a long time, even after the drugs have been discontinued.
Physiotherapy and gymnastics
There are many techniques that practically do not use medicines, but allow you to get excellent results. With this disease, treatment is carried out with the help of:
- magnetotherapy;
- therapeutic baths;
- laser;
- ultrasound;
- dirt.
In parallel, special exercises are performed to increase the range of motion in the joint. Gymnastics has many techniques that are prescribed depending on the degree and stage of the disease.
It is best 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. Shoulder joint endoprosthesis can solve the problem. They completely replace everything old and worn out, the prosthesis itself is made of metal or ceramics. The service life of such an implant is approximately 15 to 25 years.
To treat this disease is very difficult and not always possible. Success has only an integrated approach, in which the treatment consists of drugs that are complemented by gymnastics or special exercises, physiotherapy. Particularly worried about the disease in the right shoulder, since this is the hand that is working.
It is better to treat the disease at an early stage and not to 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.