Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint

Shoulder osteoarthritis is a chronic condition in which the articular cartilage and adjacent bone tissue deteriorate, wear out and break down.If you treat this disease carelessly and do not start treatment on time, the consequences can be quite disastrous, including the loss of motor functions of the hand.

Why does shoulder osteoarthritis develop?

Inflammation of the joint is the cause of the development of shoulder osteoarthritis.This can appear for various reasons:

• Injuries.Shoulder osteoarthritis can develop due to a previous shoulder injury or constant minor microtrauma to the shoulder typical of athletes.
• Vascular diseases.With vascular pathologies, blood circulation is usually impaired, which leads to insufficient blood supply to the joints.As a result, joint tissues undergo degenerative changes, that is, osteoarthritis develops.
• Excessive load.This is often associated with the professional activities of patients (loaders, builders).
• Hormonal or autoimmune disturbances.Often they significantly affect joint tissues, affecting them in a destructive way.These are diseases like psoriasis, gout, etc.
• Heredity.It has been proven that children whose parents suffer from shoulder osteoarthritis are more likely than others to develop joint malformations.This also includes people already born with joint abnormalities.Both perceive the usual load on their hands as excessive and therefore the process of cartilage wear occurs much faster.
• Failures in metabolic processes and the endocrine system.For this reason, salts begin to accumulate in the joints and cartilaginous tissues cease to receive adequate nutrition (phosphorus, calcium, etc.) and begin to deteriorate.
• Joint diseases.A prerequisite for the development of osteoarthritis may be joint pathologies such as arthritis, bone necrosis, synovitis, etc.
• Age.Elderly people (50 years and older) are especially at risk, since joint tissues wear out with age, which in itself leads to the development of pathology.

Signs of shoulder osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is characterized by a long development, which sometimes does not manifest itself in any way in the early stages.We must therefore be wary of the slightest symptomatic manifestations.Osteoarthritis of the shoulder is usually indicated by:

1. Pain is considered the main symptom of the disease.Aching pains often bother patients in the morning.Pain syndromes are also more possible in case of sudden changes in the weather.If you subject your painful shoulder to a load, for example by lifting something heavy, the pain will also remind you of itself.The patient feels pain even when feeling the shoulder.With the development of shoulder osteoarthritis, pain begins to appear even in a calm position.This fact must be taken into account - in case of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, pain can occur not only in the affected joint, but it can be localized in the arm, elbow or back.
2. Engine malfunction.Due to pain, it becomes difficult for the patient to cope with seemingly simple tasks, for example, combing their hair, on their own.By the way, this action is one of the test movements for diagnosing osteoarthritis.Rotational movements and attempts to move the arm back are also difficult.If treatment is not started on time, the shoulder joint and, as a result, the arm gradually stop moving and contracture develops.
3. Painful crunching, crunching in the joint.This usually occurs due to salts deposited in the diseased joint (osteophytes).Initially, a slight creaking rustling sound appears in the diseased joint;as the disease progresses, it turns into distinct crispy clicks, audible even at some distance from the patient.
4. Swelling, increased general temperature and redness in the affected joint.These signs confirm the presence of inflammation in the diseased joint.
5. Hardening of the joint.This symptom appears when the disease is advanced due to bony growths covering the joint.

You should not delay your visit to the clinic if you suddenly start feeling shoulder pain, especially after a bruise or dislocation.Indeed, in later stages, osteoarthritis is practically incurable.Please note that some patients may not show any signs of the disease.

Symptoms of shoulder osteoarthritis depending on the stage of the disease:

1. The first degree of shoulder osteoarthritis is characterized by morning and night pain.The patient must “grow” the joint before it begins to move without stiffness.A sudden movement of the shoulder or arm is accompanied by a slight cracking sound, which is still painless.At rest, no pain is observed.Radiographic examination shows no significant changes in the joint.
2. Shoulder osteoarthritis in the second stage is accompanied by more severe pain and a clear crunching sound.The range of possible movements of the hand is reduced, but the joint remains mobile.The joint has already started to collapse and warp.
3. Third degree is a severe and advanced stage of the disease.Patients can only shake hands lightly;acute pain constantly torments them.The joint itself becomes very inflamed and deformed.There is even partial atrophy of the muscles around the shoulder joint.The joint can only be cured by surgery.Osteoarthritis rarely develops at this stage.This occurs only in patients who do not take care of the affected joint and subject it to unbearable overloads.
4. Fourth stage – total destruction of the joint and fusion of the bones.Even strong painkillers do not relieve pain syndrome.This stage occurs mainly in elderly patients.

Treatment of shoulder osteoarthritis

Drug treatment of shoulder osteoarthritis is primarily aimed at destroying the source of the inflammatory process and pain.Typically, your doctor will prescribe NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).First of all, they stop inflammation and relieve pain.

Often, in cases of severe inflammation, doctors resort to corticosteroids.These are anti-inflammatory drugs used for blocking joints.This procedure consists of an injection administered into the joint itself.This method is a non-invasive treatment method, that is, it does not damage the skin or mucous membranes.Typically, this involves the use of ointments, gels, creams, etc.

Chondroprotectors are also prescribed for shoulder osteoarthritis - drugs capable of restoring damaged cartilage, based on hyaluronic acid, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate.

In addition to drug treatment, exercise therapy, sanatorium treatment, massage and physiotherapy are also used.The latter refers to ultrasound treatment procedures, laser therapy, mud therapy, cryotherapy and magnetotherapy.Recently, treatment of osteoarthritis using leeches (hirudotherapy) has become very popular due to its effectiveness.Therapeutic gymnastics exercises, without overloading the joint, stimulate the muscles to the required extent, which allows the joint to develop and restore.

Additionally, the patient is prescribed a therapeutic diet based on avoiding too spicy and salty foods.Doctors advise eating more foods containing collagen: turkey, seafood, green vegetables and salmon.

In cases where shoulder osteoarthritis has led to complete destruction of the articular cartilage, a surgical operation called endoprosthesis is performed, during which a ceramic, plastic or metal prosthesis is implanted in the place of the affected joint.

Traditional medicine has also shown its effectiveness in the fight against shoulder osteoarthritis.

Folk remedies are usually effective as an additional pain reliever.Remember that they are not capable of restoring a shoulder joint affected by osteoarthritis.This requires medical treatment under the guidance of a doctor.

Compress

Boil the oatmeal (30 g) in two glasses of water for about 10 minutes.Soak a piece of gauze folded in several layers with the resulting solution and apply to sore spots for at least half an hour.

A compress of cabbage juice has proven to be a good pain reliever.This is usually done every evening, leaving it on the painful joint until the morning.

You can simply apply honey-coated cabbage leaves to the affected joint overnight.

Rub

Infuse elecampane roots (50 g) with vodka (125 ml) for a few weeks.The mixture should be rubbed into sore joints.

Let the angelica roots (15 g) stand for half an hour, pour boiling water over them.The filtered solution should be rubbed into the affected areas 3-5 times a day.

Herbal baths

You can add various decoctions and infusions of herbs to a bath filled with water.Knowledgeable people note the special effect of baths with decoctions of mustard, hay dust, mint and burdock.Such baths should be taken before the body is completely steamed, then, after rubbing the joints, the patient should lie down, covered with a warm blanket, so that the body retains heat longer.

Ointments

To ordinary petroleum jelly you need to add 15 g of sweet clover, hops and St. John's wort.The mixture obtained should be rubbed regularly into the joint area.