It is arthrosis of the shoulderjoint disease, is characterized by degradation, erosion and destruction of cartilage, as well as adjacent bone tissue. The disease is also called adhesive capsulitis, humeroscapular polyarthritis, frozen shoulder syndrome.
The disease belongs to a chronic, progressive category. Initially, the disease, as a rule, develops without the consent of the patient. In this case, the diagnosis can be made only by X-ray examination. Then the first small symptoms appear: for example, pain when trying to bring a spoon to your mouth. Symptoms increase and the mobility of the affected arm is severely or completely limited. A person's quality of life decreases, sleep deteriorates, because it is almost impossible to choose a position where the pain is eliminated.
There are two main manifestations of the disease. The first is pain (first during movement, then - at rest). The second manifestation is muscle restriction (contracture). For example, the patient cannot raise or lower his hands.
Many people have cartilage problems. According to statistics, osteoarthritis is diagnosed in 7% of the population. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, for example, is less dangerous than osteoarthritis of the hip joint, but the consequences are still dire. We are talking about complete immobility of the hand, which is a catastrophic concern in everyday life and incompatibility for most types of work.
The danger of the disease is that the damage it can cause cannot be repaired. It is important to identify osteoarthritis in the early stages of development, and therefore, if the slightest discomfort occurs, start watching your shoulder carefully.
For the first time, pain can be treated with medication. Pain can be caused, for example, by awkward movements, heavy lifting or exercise. If the pain does not disappear after 3-4 days, consult a doctor. First you can check the mobility of the joint: do a movement that mimics wearing an apron (put your hands behind your back). If pain is felt at the same time, a visit to the doctor should never be postponed. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is an "insidious" disease, and only your vigilance will help to stop it in time.
Causes of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
- Natural wear and tear of cartilage. The risk group consists of people over the age of 50, but after the age of 40 it is worth paying special attention to the condition of the joints. At this age it is desirable to reduce the load on them.
- Injuries. The process of degradation of cartilage and bone tissue can lead to mechanical damage. This is not only a serious injury, but also, for example, several microtraumas that occur in athletes.
- Doing sports that put a lot of strain on the shoulder joint. We are talking about tennis, rowing, swimming, handball, volleyball.
- Circulatory disorders in the shoulder area. This can be caused by disease, genetic factors or trauma.
- Work on weight transfer. Osteoarthritis develops due to the constant tension of the muscles of the shoulder joint.
- Rheumatoid arthritis, although rare, still causes the development of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.
- autoimmune disorders.
- Disorders of the endocrine system.
- Some metabolic diseases, gout, etc.
- genetic predisposition. If there are cases of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint in the family, a person should limit the joint load and be examined by a specialist.
Stages of development of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
- The first stage. The joint can sometimes crack. The pain occurs in the morning and evening. Pain can occur in bad weather. There is anxiety during movements, but after the "development" of the hand, everything returns to normal.
- The second stage. The motor skills of the hands deteriorate significantly. At this stage, a person begins to "adapt" his actions to existing concerns: for example, when wearing a jacket, it is necessary to avoid throwing a strong arm back when wearing a jacket. The symptoms of the first stage intensify.
- The third stage. The joint is completely motionless. The amplitude of hand movements is limited to several degrees. The pain is constantly felt. Due to the inactivity of the joint, the muscles of the shoulder girdle begin to atrophy.
- The fourth stage. The hand is completely motionless. The joint hardens and the bones grow together because there is no cartilage between them. The pain is strong. It is not always removed with painkillers.
In the second stage, the symptoms of the disease are already clear, and therefore the disease rarely reaches the third and fourth stages. This happens when the patient completely ignores the problem or tries to get rid of it with the help of treatment. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is a complex disease that can only be treated by a doctor.
Symptoms of shoulder osteoarthritis
- Pain at rest or while moving.
- Anxiety during changing weather conditions.
- Pain after prolonged exercise lasting a day or more.
- crunchy.
- Stiffness of movement due to pain.
- Swelling of the joint area.
- Sensation of high temperature in this area (a sign of the inflammatory process).
- Sleep problems due to inability to lie on the side of pain for a long time.
Symptoms can vary greatly from patient to patient. Much depends on the cause of the disease and its course. In the beginning, we talked about the main symptoms that led to the idea of seeing a doctor: these are pain and stiffness. If you find these symptoms, you should definitely consult a specialist. Even if it is something other than osteoarthritis, the intervention of a doctor with such severe symptoms is required.
Diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
Diagnosis begins with the collection of medical history. The patient talks to a specialist when symptoms and signs of the disease first appear. The patient should remember whether this disorder preceded injuries, bruises, and dislocations.
The doctor then conducts a visual examination of the affected area. At this stage, swelling and other visible manifestations of arthrosis of the shoulder joint can be identified. To assess joint mobility, the doctor asks the patient to undergo primitive tests. For example, bring your hands to the lock behind you. With a high degree of probability, the disease will already "manifest itself" at this stage.
Specialists use hardware diagnostic methods.
- Radiography. Confirms or denies the diagnosis. Allows to determine the location of the lesion, the inflammatory process. Gives information about the distance between the bones: if they are too close to each other, then the cartilage has begun to wear out.
- MRT. Provides information on the condition of tendons and cartilage.
- CT scan. Provides 3D X-rays of the study area, which allows you to assess the overall picture.
Modern diagnostic methods not only allow to identify osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, but also provide information about the stage and course of the disease. This allows doctors to properly design treatments.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
The main task is to stop the development of the disease, improve joint mobility, relieve pain and improve the patient's quality of life. Consider the methods that doctors use to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.
- Medications. Painkillers are used to relieve pain. Drugs that improve blood circulation are also used (if necessary).
- Gentle driving mode.
- Diet.
- Massage. Metameric (point) massage is especially effective.
- metameric method. Developed by Vladimir Andreevich Bersenev. This affects the affected neurometers and, consequently, the affected joints. The main procedure is metameric injections injected into the affected area. They stop the process of degradation and destruction, improve joint mobility.
As with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip joint, treatment only works if the therapy is tailored to the patient's individual characteristics, symptoms, and stage of the disease. There is no template that is effective in all cases.
The result
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is a complex disease, but the prognosis is positive with a timely visit to the doctor. If you find yourself with the above symptoms, do not delay a visit to a specialist. Each day of delay complicates the treatment procedure and worsens the prognosis. Contact a specialized medical center where your doctor will develop an individual treatment regimen to help eliminate the disease.