Problems of the shoulder joint are not as frequent as those of the hip or knee, but they do exist, and among them it is worth highlighting arthropathy of the shoulder joint, the symptoms and treatment of which have their own characteristics. In most cases, a rheumatologist treats these problems. In general, arthropathy of the shoulder joint has its own specific symptoms and is characterized by degenerative processes not only in the cartilage itself. Very often, the capsule, ligament apparatus and synovial sacs suffer, of which there are many.
As a result of all that happens, the joint is deformed, the range of motion is limited. In addition to the fact that such a condition develops, arthropathy is accompanied by pain. The reasons for this situation can be very different, we will try to understand them in detail.
The thing that makes it all happen
The inflammatory process leads to the consequences of arthropathy of the shoulder joint. It develops due to various factors, some are treated by a rheumatologist and others will require the help of a traumatologist.
The most common cause of osteoarthritis is traumatic injury. This is seen in athletes as a result of microtraumas, during a common dislocation or after a fracture. Then the arthropathy is post-traumatic and requires its own approach to treatment.
With the pathology of blood vessels, tissues experience a lack of oxygen, tissue dystrophy occurs. As a result, arthropathy of both the right and left shoulder joints develops. Often this condition can be observed with excessive physical exertion.
Often the reasons lie in hormonal disorders or autoimmune damage to the cartilage. In the latter case, a rheumatologist treats such arthropathy of the shoulder joint. Arthropathy occurs, for example, with psoriasis, gout.
It is believed that the causes may be hidden in heredity, especially if the parents suffered from this disease. Also, arthropathy can develop in people with congenital defects of the shoulder joint.
Symptoms can also appear due to age, as the cartilage wears down. People over 50 are at risk.
Symptoms
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint develops over a long period of time and its symptoms do not disappear. In this regard, you must constantly monitor the condition of the shoulder joint and, if even slight symptoms appear, immediately consult a doctor.
It all starts with pain, which initially manifests as arthropathy. The joint hurts, especially in the morning or when the weather changes. When lifting weights, this symptom is also actively felt, often the shoulder area cannot even be touched. As symptoms progress, arthropathy occurs even at rest. In addition to joint pain, symptoms can be in the back, forearm or elbow.
The symptoms are complemented by limitation of movements, the main reasons for this are in pain. A person cannot normally perform simple actions, for example, to comb their hair or brush their teeth.
The simulated scratch test allows you to discover the presence of arthropathy.
It's also hard to get your hand back. If medicines and gymnastics are not prescribed in time, then contractions simply cannot be avoided.
Complements the symptoms of wrinkles, which can appear to any degree. It appears due to the growth of bone tissue and, at an early stage, it is felt only by the person himself, and then it is heard even from a distance. Swelling joins and not only the joint, but also the shoulder, forearm, the skin may turn red. All this indicates the presence of an inflammatory process.
Later in the disease, abduction of the arm to the side becomes a problem. This occurs due to growths that cover the joint area abundantly. There is some specificity depending on the degree - at each stage, the disease can manifest itself in different ways.
Depending on the degree
In the first stage of the disease, the pain bothers only in the morning and in the evening. It can take time for a person to get rid of "stiffness". A sharp movement is accompanied by a slight tingling, which is not the cause of the pain.
At rest, with this degree of pain, there is no pain in the same way as there are no changes on the X-ray film. It all begins in the second degree, when the manifestations become more intense.
Symptoms in the second stage are complemented by more intense tingling and pain. Full arm movement is no longer possible, but joint mobility is maintained. At this stage, the destruction and deformation of the cartilage occurs, there are characteristic manifestations on the X-ray.
In the third degree, the process can be considered to be running and drug treatment already has minimal success. In this case, only light rocking movements are possible, and sharp pain becomes a constant companion. The joint area becomes very inflamed, deformity, pain in the area of the shoulder and forearm join. Thus, post-traumatic arthropathy is most often manifested, which can be in the area of the right or left shoulder joint.
If you don't do specific exercises, the muscles will atrophy. Only surgical treatment can help in this case. However, it rarely reaches this stage, only in case of continuous overloads.
With the fourth degree, it is not necessary to talk about articulation, as such, because it simply does not exist. Post-traumatic arthropathy leads to this condition, especially if the injury is severe. Medicines, even strong ones, cannot deal with the pain. You can meet this stage in elderly and elderly people. The pain often radiates to the forearm and only adequate treatment can help.
Treatment
There are special drugs that can stop the disease. The main thing is to prescribe treatment with them as early as possible, even if the arthropathy is post-traumatic.
Medicines
In the first place are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Their number is large and only a doctor can choose the right one. In addition to reducing pain, the inflammatory process is also removed. Treatment with these drugs is carried out in courses, otherwise the effect on the cartilage may be negative.
Also, drugs have a negative effect on the gastric mucosa. With caution, they are assigned to those who have problems with this body. Long-term use may lead to ulceration.
Local treatment
With a strong inflammatory process, hormone-based drugs are injected into the joint. Medicines have a local anti-inflammatory effect, however, this is not safe for the joint itself, as it destroys the cartilage. The local use of ointments, which also effectively relieve pain, is justified.
The regimen is supplemented by drugs called chondroprotectors. It will take a long time to treat the disease with these drugs, but they contribute to the restoration of cartilage tissue and the normal functioning of the joint. The composition includes glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid. The effect continues for a long time, even after stopping the drugs.
Physiotherapy and gymnastics
There are many techniques that practically do not use drugs, but allow you to get excellent results. With this disease, treatment is carried out with the help of:
- magnetotherapy?
- therapeutic baths;
- laser;
- ultrasound;
- dirt.
At the same time, special exercises are performed to increase the range of motion in the joint. Gymnastics has many techniques that are prescribed depending on the degree and stage of the disease.
It is best to perform exercises under the supervision of an experienced doctor, who will choose the optimal ones.
Mode
When exercise and drug therapy do not help, it is necessary to perform surgery. An endoprosthetic shoulder joint can solve the problem. They completely replace anything old and worn out, the prosthesis itself is made of metal or ceramic. The lifespan of such an implant is approximately 15 to 25 years.
Treatment of this disease is very difficult and not always possible. Success has only an integrated approach, in which the treatment consists of drugs supplemented by gymnastics or special exercises, physical therapy. I am particularly concerned about the disease in the right shoulder, since that is the working arm.
It is better to treat the disease at an early stage and not take it to extremes. If arthropathy is treated in the first stage, many negative consequences can be avoided. But it is not recommended to treat this disease yourself.