Shoulder arthrosis is a pathological process that occurs in patients over 50 years of age. Like many other diseases, the disease can provoke the appearance of unpleasant sensations. The initial form of the disease is characterized as arthrosis of the 1st degree of the shoulder joint, which has a number of symptomatic manifestations and factors that can negatively affect 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. Very often, the disease process begins to actively develop, as a result of which the patient is diagnosed with arthritis and inflammation.
The disease can occur against the background of exposure to various factors. The most common include:
- Injury of the articular joint (dislocation, bruise, fracture), characterized by damage to the capsule or rupture of the ligaments;
- Identification of diseases of the cardiovascular system in a patient (processes in 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 vary in intensity and frequency. At the initial stage of the development of the disease, the patient shows slight pain or discomfort (especially when finding the shoulder in a certain position). After that, the disease process subsides for a period of time, after which it makes itself felt again, while actively developing. Pain in the joint usually has a pulling or aching character, its intensity varies depending on the load. Pain syndrome can have different localization. It can be distributed over the entire area of the shoulder or only in certain areas of the joint. As a result, the motor activity of the patient's upper limb is disrupted, and the transition of the pathological process into a chronic form. Symptoms and treatment of the disease selected later largely depend on the age characteristics of the patient.
diagnosis
Before the conclusion, the specialist instructs the patient to carry out diagnostic measures. At the first appointment, the doctor conducts a thorough examination of the affected joint, after which he collects as much detailed information as possible about the patient's lifestyle, professional activity and details of the injury. With palpation, the nature of the mobility of the joint and the disease process are examined.
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 analysis of blood and urine cannot provide the necessary information about the course of a joint disease. A laboratory examination of the synovial fluid in arthrosis of the shoulder joint of the first degree shows an increased viscosity of the biological material and an increase in the protein content. Computer and magnetic resonance imaging are considered no less informative. Despite the accuracy and information content, the procedure is associated with relatively high costs, so not every patient can afford such an examination.
2 degrees
In the event of second-degree osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, the following diagnostic procedures are used in addition to examination and questioning: ultrasound, arthroscopy, scintigraphy and thermography. All these techniques make it possible to determine the nature of the narrowing of the joint space, the densification of bone tissue, the presence of cystic neoplasms or fragments of bone tissue in the joint area. Ultrasound examination of the disease helps to determine the thickness of the cartilage on the surface of all areas, to identify the possible presence of erosions and wen.
3 degrees
The detection of third-degree arthrosis of the shoulder joint includes an extended examination option. In addition to the basic methods, the patient must pass 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 cartilage tissue, which will allow to diagnose the patient as accurately as possible.
treatment
Despite the form of the pathological process of the joint that manifests itself in the patient, he has to undergo long-term treatment. Traditional and non-traditional methods of therapy are aimed at eliminating the main signs:
- reducing the manifestation of pain;
- elimination of signs of the inflammatory process;
- normalization of the general condition of cartilage tissue;
- Return of limb mobility;
- Normalization of metabolic processes in the body.
Treatment of deforming arthrosis of the shoulder joint of the 2nd degree involves the use of complex therapy, in which several therapeutic methods are used at once.
Medical treatment
Treatment of the disease with the help of drugs involves the use of funds with various effects:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - eliminate signs of the inflammatory process, manifestations of pain in the joint. They are prescribed exclusively by a specialist doctor, since the complexes can provoke the appearance of a negative reaction from the body. It is recommended to take them with caution in patients who have a problem with the functionality of the gastrointestinal tract, since the components of the composition can provoke the development of ulcerative formations.
- intra-articular blockage. The procedure for joint diseases involves the use of corticosteroids in the form of injections that are 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 for diseases of the joints is extremely necessary, since all other methods of therapy have a cumulative effect and give positive results only after a certain time.
physical therapy and exercise
Physiotherapeutic procedures and physiotherapeutic exercises are considered no less effective and useful. Most often they are prescribed for joint disease:
- Laser therapy - improves blood circulation and normalizes metabolic processes in the body;
- Acupuncture - allows activation of the body's forces in the fight against the pathological process;
- Magnetic therapy - strengthening the body's immune system, which allows the damaged area of \u200b\u200bthe joint to heal more actively due to the restoration of blood flow;
- Hirudotherapy - is the implementation of therapeutic measures with the help of leeches, which effectively detect stages 1 and 2 of the disease;
- Manual therapy - includes massage not only by a specialist, but also independently at home.
Don't forget about physical education. Gymnastics in arthrosis of the shoulder joint plays an important role, so classes should be regular, taking into account all the features of the disease process. It is necessary to discuss with the doctor in advance the permissible load, what exercises it is allowed to do and how long the classes for such a disease last.
surgery
In the absence of the effectiveness of the above methods of treating the disease and identifying the progressive development of the disease, doctors are forced to resort to surgical treatment.
The procedure most often involves the installation of an endoprosthesis. The method is considered invasive and allows the replacement of destroyed joint fragments with artificial options.
The technique makes it possible not only to eliminate the symptoms that have appeared, but also to restore the lost activity of the upper limb.
home remedies
Along with traditional methods of treating the disease, recipes of traditional medicine are considered no less effective. To relieve the pain manifestations of the process of joint disease, it is recommended to use cabbage or burdock. Before use, the plant should be rolled out until juicing, after which it must be applied to the shoulder. The compress is covered with a cloth on top to keep the heat in as long as possible. The procedure takes several hours.
Many experts strongly recommend bathing with herbal joint mixtures. It can be made from mustard and hay dust in a certain ratio. The duration of the bath is from 15 minutes to half an hour. After the procedure, it is advisable to dress warmly. It is allowed to use compresses based on cinquefoil. Before that, the medicinal plant is dried. To prepare a compress for joint diseases, you need three tablespoons of the main component and pork fat. Many experts recommend adding a teaspoon of paprika. This improves the blood circulation process. Such measures are permissible if there are no discomfort, violations of the integrity of the skin (in the form of reddening of the epidermis), no increase in body temperature and signs of an inflammatory process. The use of the remedy against a disease occurs in most cases when a chronic form of the disease process is detected.
prevention
In order to prevent the occurrence of joint diseases and their spread, the patient must be treated as gently as possible. This is especially necessary if the patient is older and older. Mandatory favorable conditions include optimal body temperature, compliance with the rules of personal hygiene and established sanitary rules, timely exercise, monitoring the quality of food and the intake of the necessary vitamins and microelements, and visiting a specialist doctor at least twice a year.