Shoulder arthrosis is a pathological process that occurs in patients over 50 years of age. Like many other illnesses, the disease can cause unpleasant feelings. The initial form of the disease is characterized as grade 1 arthrosis of the shoulder joint, which has certain symptomatic manifestations and factors that may adversely affect its further development.
Causes and symptoms
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is a violation of the integrity of the cartilage joint and its elements. Very often, the disease process begins to develop actively, 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 ones include:
- damage to the articular joint characterized by capsule damage or rupture of ligaments (dislocation, rot, fracture);
- identification of diseases of the cardiovascular system in the patient (processes resulting from the inability of organs and systems to receive the optimal amount of blood and oxygen);
- excess body weight (there is an increased load on the joints).
Symptomatic manifestations of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint may manifest themselves with varying intensity and frequency. In the early stages of the disease, the patient has a slight pain or discomfort (especially in the process of finding the shoulder in a particular situation). After that, the process of the disease slows down for a while, after which it feels again as it actively develops. Pain in the joint, as a rule, has a twitching or painful nature, the intensity of which varies depending on the load. Pain syndrome may have a different localization. It can spread to the entire shoulder area or only to certain articular areas. As a result, the motor function of the patient's upper extremities is impaired and the pathological process becomes chronic. The symptoms and treatment of the disease chosen later depend mainly on the age of the patient.
Diagnostics
Before announcing the result, the medical professional directs the patient to perform diagnostic measures. At the first appointment, the doctor conducts a thorough examination of the affected articular joint, after which he collects the most detailed information about the patient's lifestyle, professional activity and details of the injury. Palpation studies the nature of joint mobility and the course of the disease.
X-rays are recommended for more information. The obtained image allows to determine the nature of the development of the disease and its stage of indifference.
When making a diagnosis, it is especially important to take into account the presence of concomitant diseases in the body.
1st degree disease
Diagnosis is based on available information about the patient's symptoms and general well-being. In this case, a general analysis of blood and urine can not provide the necessary information about the joint disease process. Laboratory studies of joint fluid in grade 1 shoulder joint osteoarthritis show increased viscosity of biological material and increased protein content. Calculated and magnetic resonance imaging are not considered less informative. Despite the accuracy and information content, the procedure is relatively expensive, so not every patient can afford such an examination.
2 degrees
When grade 2 osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is detected, in addition to examination and questioning, the following diagnostic methods are used: ultrasound, arthroscopy, scintigraphy, and thermography. All these methods allow to determine the nature of the narrowing of the joint space, the compression of bone tissue, the presence of cystic neoplasms or fragments of bone tissue in the articular region. Ultrasound examination of the disease helps to determine the thickness of cartilage on the surface of all areas, to determine the possible presence of erosion and wen.
3 degrees
Detection of grade 3 shoulder joint arthrosis involves a wide range of examination options. In addition to the basic methods, the patient should undergo a biochemical blood test (to identify markers of the inflammatory process), immunological tests to determine the stage of the disease process, and a biopsy of cartilage tissue that allows the patient to be diagnosed. as accurately as possible.
Treatment
Regardless of the form of the pathological process of the joint found in the patient, he will have to undergo long-term treatment. Traditional and non-traditional therapies are aimed at eliminating the main symptoms:
- reduction of pain;
- elimination of signs of inflammatory process;
- normalization of the general condition of cartilage tissue;
- restoration of limb mobility;
- normalization of metabolic processes in the body.
Treatment of second-degree deforming arthrosis of the shoulder joint involves the use of a complex therapy that involves the use of several therapeutic methods at once.
Treatment
Drug treatment of the disease involves the use of various effective means:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - eliminate the symptoms of the inflammatory process, the manifestations of joint pain. They are prescribed only by a medical professional, because the complexes can cause an adverse reaction in the body. It is recommended to take with caution in patients with problems with the functionality of the gastrointestinal tract, as the components of the composition can lead to the development of ulcerative formations.
- intraarticular blockade. The procedure for joint disease involves the use of corticosteroids in the form of injections 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 joint diseases is extremely important, because all other therapies have a cumulative effect and give positive results only after a certain period of time.
Physiotherapy and exercise
Physiotherapeutic procedures and physiotherapy exercises are considered less effective and beneficial. Most often, with joint disease, they are prescribed:
- laser therapy - improves blood flow and normalizes metabolic processes in the body;
- acupuncture - allows the body to activate its own forces in the fight against the pathological process;
- magnetotherapy - strengthens the body's immune system, allows more active healing of the damaged area of the joint due to the restoration of blood flow;
- hirudotherapy - is the implementation of therapeutic measures with the help of leeches, is effective in the detection of stages 1 and 2 of the disease;
- manual therapy - massage is performed not only by a specialist, but also independently at home.
Don't forget about physical education. Gymnastics plays an important role in osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, so classes should be regular and take into account all the features of the disease process. It is necessary to discuss with the doctor in advance the load, what exercises are allowed and the duration of classes for such a disease.
Surgery
Doctors are forced to resort to surgical treatment to determine whether the above methods of treatment of the disease are ineffective and the ongoing development of the disease.
The procedure most often involves the installation of an endoprosthesis. The method is considered invasive, allowing to replace the destroyed fragments of the compound with artificial variants.
The technique allows not only to get rid of visible symptoms, but also to restore the lost function of the upper extremities.
Folk remedies
In addition to traditional methods of treating the disease, traditional medicine prescriptions are considered less effective. It is recommended to use cabbage or burdock to eliminate the painful manifestations of the joint disease process. Before use, the plant should be rolled to the juice extraction stage, after which it should be applied to the shoulder. The top of the compress is covered with a cloth to keep the heat as long as possible. The procedure takes several hours.
Many experts strongly recommend bathing with herbal compounds. It can be made from mustard and straw powder in a certain proportion. The duration of the bath is from 15 minutes to half an hour. It is recommended to dress warmly after the procedure. Cinquefoil-based compresses are allowed. Earlier, the medicinal plant is dried. To prepare a compress for joint disease, you need three tablespoons of the main component and lard. Many experts recommend adding a teaspoon of red pepper. This will improve the circulatory process. Such actions are allowed in the absence of discomfort, violation of the integrity of the skin (in the form of redness of the epidermis), an increase in body temperature and signs of inflammatory processes. The use of treatment of a disease is often carried out when a chronic form of the disease process is detected.
Prevention
The patient should be treated as sparingly as possible to prevent the onset and subsequent spread of joint disease. This is especially important if the patient is older and older. Mandatory conditions include optimal body temperature, adherence to personal hygiene rules and established sanitary requirements, timely exercise, monitoring the quality of food and intake of necessary vitamins and trace elements, and visits to the doctor at least twice a year.