Shoulder joint arthrosis is an abnormal process that occurs in patients older than 50 years. Like many other illnesses, the illness can cause discomfort. The initial form of the disease is characterized by grade 1 arthrosis of the shoulder joint, which has certain symptomatic manifestations and factors that may adversely affect subsequent development.
Causes and symptoms of the occurrence
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is a violation of the integrity of the cartilage joint and its elements. Very often, the process of the disease actively develops, as a result of which the patient is diagnosed with arthritis and inflammation.
The disease may be due to exposure to various factors. The most common are:
- damage to the joint (dislocation, bruising, fracture) characterized by damage to the capsule or rupture of the ligaments;
- identification of cardiovascular disease in a patient (processes that cause organs and systems not to receive the optimal amount of blood and oxygen);
- presence of excess weight (increased strain on the joints).
Symptomatic manifestations of arthrosis of the shoulder joint may occur with varying severity and frequency. In the early stages of developing the disease, the patient shows less pain or discomfort (especially when finding the shoulder in a certain position). After that, for a while, the process of the disease slows down and then you feel again while actively developing. Joint pain is usually astringent or painful in nature, varying in intensity depending on the load. Pain syndrome can have different localizations. It can be distributed over the entire shoulder area or only in certain joint areas. As a result, the motor activity of the patient's upper limb is disrupted and the pathological process becomes a chronic form. The symptoms and treatment of the disease, which is subsequently selected, is highly dependent on the age characteristics of the patient.
Diagnostics
Before drawing a conclusion, the specialist instructs the patient to perform diagnostic measures. At the first appointment, the doctor will thoroughly examine the affected joint and then gather the most detailed information about the patient’s lifestyle, professional activities, and details of the injury. During palpation, the nature of joint mobility and the process of the disease are studied.
An X-ray is recommended for more information. The resulting image makes it possible to determine the nature of the disease and the stage of neglect.
When making a diagnosis, it is especially important to consider the presence of comorbidities in the body.
Grade 1 disease
The diagnosis is made based on available information about the symptoms and general well-being of the patient. In this case, a general analysis of blood and urine cannot provide the necessary information about the process of joint disease. Laboratory examination of synovial fluid in grade 1 osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint shows increased viscosity of the biological material and increased protein content. Computer and magnetic resonance imaging is no less informative. Despite the accuracy and content of the information, the procedure is relatively expensive, so not all patients can afford such an examination.
2 degrees
In addition to examination and examination, the following diagnostic methods are used to detect grade 2 arthrosis of the shoulder joint: ultrasound, arthroscopy, scintigraphy, and thermography. All of these techniques allow the detection of joint space narrowing, bone compaction, and the presence of cystic neoplasms or bone fragments in the articulation area. Ultrasound examination of the disease helps to determine the thickness of cartilage on the surface of each area, to identify the possible presence of erosions and wen.
3 degrees
The identification of grade 3 arthrosis of the shoulder joint includes an extended examination option. In addition to the basic methods, the patient must be given a biochemical blood test (to identify markers of the inflammatory process), immunological tests to determine the stage of the pathological process, and a biopsy of the cartilage tissue to allow the patient to be diagnosed. as accurately as possible.
Treatment
Although the pathological process of the joint has been revealed in the patient, it requires long-term treatment. Traditional and non-traditional therapy methods are aimed at eliminating the main signs:
- reducing the onset of pain;
- elimination of signs of an inflammatory process;
- normalization of the general condition of cartilage tissue;
- return of limb mobility;
- normalization of metabolic processes in the body.
Treatment of grade 2 deforming arthrosis of the shoulder joint involves the use of a complex therapy that involves the use of multiple therapies at the same time.
Medical treatment
Medication for the disease involves the use of a variety of devices:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - eliminate the signs of the inflammatory process, the manifestations of pain in the joint. These are prescribed only by a specialist, as the complexes can trigger a negative reaction in the body. Caution is advised in patients who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, as the components of the preparation are able to induce ulcerative formations.
- intraarticular blockade. The procedure for joint disease 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 used in the form of gels or ointments.
In this case, the use of drugs for joint diseases is extremely necessary, as all other therapeutic methods have a cumulative effect and give a positive result only after a certain time.
Physiotherapy and exercise
Physiotherapy procedures and physiotherapy practices are no less effective and useful. The most commonly prescribed for joint disease is:
- 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 - strengthening the body's immune system, which allows the injured area of the joint to heal more actively to restore blood flow;
- hirudotherapy - implementation of therapeutic measures using leeches, effective in detecting stages 1 and 2 of the disease;
- manual therapy - includes massage not only by a specialist but also on your own at home.
Don't forget physical education. In the case of shoulder arthrosis, gymnastics plays an important role, so classes should be regular and take into account all the features of the disease process. You should discuss with your doctor in advance the allowable load, what exercises should be performed, and the duration of such disease classes.
Surgery
In the absence of effectiveness of the above methods of treating the disease and in identifying the continuous progression of the disease, doctors are forced to resort to surgical treatment.
The procedure most often involves the installation of an endoprosthesis. The method can be considered invasive, allowing the replacement of dead fragments of the joint with artificial options.
The technique not only makes it possible to get rid of the symptoms that appear, but also to restore the lost activity of the upper limb.
Folk remedies
In addition to traditional methods of treating the disease, prescriptions for traditional medicine are no less effective. The use of cabbage or burdock is recommended to relieve the painful manifestations of the joint disease process. Before use, the plant should be rolled out until the juice is extracted and then applied to the shoulders. Cover the compress with a cloth to keep the heat 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 powder in certain proportions. The duration of the bath is from 15 minutes to half an hour. It is advisable to dress warmly after the procedure. The use of cinquefoil-based compresses is permitted. Previously, the herb was dried. You will need three tablespoons of the main ingredients and lard to make a joint wrap. Many experts recommend adding a teaspoon of red pepper. This improves the blood circulation process. Such activities are allowed in the absence of signs of discomfort, violation of skin integrity (reddening of the epidermis), fever, and inflammatory process. In most cases, a drug used to treat the disease is used when a chronic form of the disease is detected.
Prevention
In order to prevent the development and subsequent spread of joint disease, the patient should be treated as gently as possible. This is especially necessary if the patient is older and older. Mandatory favorable conditions include optimal body temperature, adherence to personal hygiene rules and established hygiene requirements, timely exercise, monitoring of food quality and intake of necessary vitamins and trace elements, and visits to a specialist at least twice a year.