Osteoarthritis of the shoulder

Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is a chronic disease that results from damage to the cartilage tissue, followed by bone growth and limited mobility. Most often, the elderly suffer, but hard physical work and inflammatory processes contribute to the early development of the pathology. Without timely treatment, movements in the affected joint will be completely blocked.

general information

Cartilage is a smooth layer between the contact areas of the bones. It ensures that they can be easily moved relative to each other and guarantees free and pain-free work together. Excessive stress, inflammation, or trauma can trigger a degenerative process that gradually spreads over the entire surface.

This disrupts the smoothness of the articular surfaces and the movements begin to cause pain. At the same time, bone growths appear on the joint edges, which replace the affected cartilage. The advancing degenerative process affects not only the bones, but also the surrounding tissue. The limb is deformed, the muscles cramp, and the ligaments become weak and lose elasticity. Without treatment, the person will lose the ability to move the arm.

Views

Depending on the cause, a distinction is made between primary and secondary osteoarthritis. The primary form occurs alone, most often against the background of excessive overloading of the joint. Secondary is caused by a third party pathology, for example trauma, intense inflammation, metabolic disorders, etc. Both forms of the disease are similar in symptoms.

The reasons

In contrast to the knee, ankle and hip joints, the shoulder does not experience any significant stress when walking, which is why this form of osteoarthritis occurs much less frequently. Pathology can be caused by:

• regular excessive physical activity: weight lifting, professional sports, vibration;
• congenital abnormalities in the structure of the shoulder joint and adjacent structures;
• rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and other autoimmune diseases;
• congenital weakness of connective tissue, accompanied by hypermobility of the joints;
• Injuries: dislocations, sprains and torn ligaments, intra-articular bone fractures;
• hormonal changes and disorders (including pregnancy, menopause);
• inflammatory diseases of the joint and periarticular structures (arthritis, bursitis, etc. );
• Metabolic disorders, including gout, diabetes mellitus.

Heredity plays an important role in the predisposition to osteoarthritis.

degrees

Doctors identify 3 degrees of deforming osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, which will determine its symptoms and the choice of treatment tactics:

• Grade 1 is characterized by minimal manifestations: pain occurs only with intense or prolonged exertion and quickly passes after rest, and X-ray shows subchondral sclerosis of the articular surfaces;
• in 2nd degree osteoarthritis, the pain becomes much more severe, a person needs to use pain relievers to make them feel better; the x-ray shows a pronounced narrowing of the joint space, extensive cartilage destruction and bone growths (osteophytes);
• Grade 3 of the disease is accompanied by constant severe pain, the mobility of the joints is significantly limited, and the picture shows complete destruction of cartilage tissue, deformation of bone structures and a large number of osteophytes.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of shoulder osteoarthritis include:

• pain: arises from a decrease in the smoothness of the articular surfaces, the growth of osteophytes and bone deformation; the intensity, duration and type of sensations depend on the degree of damage;
• Crunch: one of the characteristic symptoms of the disease that occurs in the early stages; differs from the physiological in a coarser tonality and is also often accompanied by pain;
• Restriction of mobility: associated with the appearance of pathological growths and particles of destroyed cartilage in the joint; in the first stages it is represented by a slight morning stiffness, later it grows to complete immobility (ankylosis);
• Deformation: a change in the contours, first of only the joint, and then the hand, occurs in the later stages of the disease and indicates the complete destruction of cartilage and the involvement of bones, muscles and ligaments in the pathological process.

Symptoms can take years or even decades to progress, but ultimately osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint leads to immobility and severe pain.

diagnosis

Diagnosing osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint requires an integrated approach. To accurately determine the diagnosis and determine the extent of the lesion, the doctor uses the following methods:

• Collect questionnaires and anamnesis: the patient's complaints are recorded, the circumstances in which certain symptoms appear are established; It is essential to clarify the information about past illnesses and injuries, the existence of joint damage with the parents;
• Examination: the doctor visually assesses the joint, determines the range of motion, the zone of greatest pain, etc. ;
• X-ray and CT: the main diagnostic method that allows you to identify the characteristic symptoms of osteoarthritis (narrowing of the joint space, cartilage degeneration, bone growth and deformities);
• Ultrasound: allows to assess the condition of cartilage, bones, ligaments, joint capsule and muscles;
• MRI: allows you to get virtual sections of all structures of the affected area;
• Laboratory diagnostics: a blood test shows an active inflammatory process, which is often associated with osteoarthritis;
• Arthroscopy: Examination of the inside of the joint with a camera inserted through a small puncture.

If the disease is secondary, then examinations and consultations from close specialists on the underlying pathology are mandatory.

Treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder

Treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint depends on the degree of the lesion: in stages 1 and 2, the correct choice of drugs can successfully stop or delay the disease. In the case of extensive destruction, the only way to restore mobility and completely stop the pain is surgical intervention - arthroscopy with "cleaning" of the joint.

Medication

Medical treatment for shoulder osteoarthritis aims to relieve symptoms and restore cartilage tissue. To do this, the following groups of drugs are used:

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: block inflammatory responses and relieve pain; are available in the form of tablets, ointments, suppositories, and in injectable form;
• hormonal agents (corticosteroids): used when NSAIDs are ineffective, have a similar effect; a good effect is achieved by drugs with a longer effect, injected directly into the joint cavity;
• anticonvulsants, B vitamins: to reduce muscle spasms that inevitably accompany advanced osteoarthritis;
• Chondroprotectors: designed for long-term use to restore cartilage tissue;
• Drugs to improve microcirculation: indirectly stimulate the processes of regeneration by improving the blood supply to the affected area;
• Enzyme blockers: partially slow down the destruction of cartilage tissue.

The selection of certain drugs, their dose, frequency of administration and duration of the course is made only by a doctor! It's important to remember that self-medication can cause accelerated joint degeneration and other side effects.

physical therapy

Physiotherapy techniques and physiotherapy exercises significantly facilitate the course of the disease and strengthen the effect of drugs. The following procedures have proven to be effective:

• Magnetic therapy: relieves pain, relieves inflammation, improves microcirculation and stimulates the regeneration of cartilage tissue;
• Shock wave therapy: exposure to sound waves of a certain frequency contributes to the destruction of osteophytes, which facilitates movement in the affected joint;
• Electrophoresis, phonophoresis: the introduction of drugs (pain relievers, chondroprotectors) into tissue by means of electrical impulses or ultrasound; promotes better drug absorption;
• Massage and physiotherapy exercises: dosed stress on the joint and intensive manual action stimulate the blood circulation in the tissue.

Physiotherapy, massage and exercise therapy, like medication, should be prescribed and carried out under specialist supervision. If they are beneficial in a quiet period, then the effect against the background of an acute inflammatory process can cause increased pain.

surgery

The last stage of shoulder osteoarthritis is accompanied by severe symptoms and requires surgical treatment. Most of the changes caused by degeneration are irreversible, which is why the only way to restore a person's mobility is with endoprosthetics. The affected joint is replaced by a modern prosthesis that completely takes over its functions. This operation is particularly effective in young and middle-aged people, as you can live with it pain-free for years.

prophylaxis

Like any joint disease, shoulder osteoarthritis is easier to prevent than cure. Orthopedists recommend that you adhere to the following rules:

• Eliminate or minimize occupational risk factors (vibrations, weight lifting);
• do not allow hypodynamia, but also do not strive for sports records: it is better to choose a moderate exercise option;
• Control diet and weight;
• Have regular checkups to identify any problems.

diet

For shoulder osteoarthritis of any degree, it is important to monitor diet:

• avoid overeating and being overweight;
• minimize harmful products: fatty, spicy, salty, alcohol, canned food, smoked meat;
• eat a sufficient amount of foods high in collagen (jellies, aspic) and omega-3s (oily fish, olive oil);
• Prefer cooked, steamed, or steamed foods over fried foods;
• reduce the amount of quickly digestible carbohydrates.

The diet should be complete and contain the required amount of vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

Consequences and complications

Even slight pain and crunching in the shoulder can have unpleasant consequences. Without treatment, osteoarthritis leads to:

• significant restriction of mobility up to ankylosis (bone fusion);
• severe pain even at rest;
• severe deformity of the shoulder and entire arm.

To avoid these problems, it is important not to search the Internet for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint with folk remedies, but simply to consult an orthopedic surgeon for the choice of therapy.

Treatment in a specialized clinic

It is impossible to cure osteoarthritis on your own. Specialists of the modern clinic offer patients complex treatment methods for shoulder osteoarthritis:

• modern drug therapy schemes that combine high efficiency and a minimum of side effects;
• proven and new physiotherapy techniques;
• PRP therapy;
• Physiotherapy exercises and massages to alleviate restricted mobility.

If necessary, a medical puncture of the joint is performed with the introduction of pain relievers or artificial synovial fluid, which will facilitate movement.

We monitor the patient throughout treatment to keep the disease under control.

Advantages of modern clinics

Special blades offer their patients:

• comprehensive health screening programs;
• advanced examinations for an accurate diagnosis;
• Consultations from close specialists with different profiles;
• modern treatment regimens, which include not only drugs, but also physical therapy, massage and exercise therapy;
• reasonable prices for all services.

Shoulder osteoarthritis is a problem that can completely change a person's life. Do not let the disease go into an irreversible stage, come for a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon.