Omarthrosis is a chronic disease in which irreversible degenerative-dystrophic processes occur in the tissues of the joints. Pathology that disrupts the normal functioning of the limb. Shoulder range of motion diminishes to complete immobility. Shoulder osteoarthritis causes severe pain and reduces quality of life. In the absence of treatment, disability occurs.
To stop the processes of joint destruction and maintain mobility of the shoulder joint, it is necessary to contact an orthopedic doctor after the first symptoms appear.
Causes of shoulder osteoarthritis
This disease is multiprotozoan in nature. The development of shoulder deformity can be related to various factors:
- Professional sports or intense workouts.
- Endocrine diseases.
- Hormonal disorder.
- Congenital pathologies of the development of the musculoskeletal system.
- Genetic predisposition, etc. v.
In most cases, secondary arthropathy is diagnosed: pathology occurs after exposure to the joint by one or another factor. Rarely, a primary or idiopathic form of the disease has been reported. The exact cause of the tissue degeneration could not be determined in this case.
Symptoms of shoulder osteoarthritis
Changes in cartilage and bone tissue begin long before the first signs of joint disease appear. Joint structures have a great potential for self-healing, so diseases are rarely diagnosed at a young age, when all metabolic processes are quite active. As the body ages, recovery processes give way to degenerative processes. The first signs of destruction may appear after 40-50 years, and with a disfiguring disease, patients notice changes as early as 16-18 years of age.
Symptoms of shoulder osteoarthritis:
- Joint cracking during movement.
- Pain, especially severe after exercise.
- Movement tension, which manifests itself after long sleep or rest.
- Pain increases with weather changes.
Degree of osteoarthritis
The clinical classification defines three degrees of shoulder osteoarthritis:
- 1 degree. The patient complains of a slight crackling sound that occurs during exercise. Pain syndrome is absent. Discomfort when the hand is brought to an extreme position.
- 2 degrees. Pain occurs when the limb is raised above the shoulder. Range of motion is reduced. After exertion, the patient feels pain even at rest.
- 3 degrees. Joint mobility is severely limited. The pain syndrome is almost constant.
Diagnosis of shoulder osteoarthritis
The doctor not only needs to make an accurate diagnosis, but also to determine the cause of the pathology. Treating the underlying disease significantly improves the patient's health and slows down cartilage degeneration.
Manual test
The first stage of diagnosis is consultation with an orthopedic surgeon. The doctor examines the joints for swelling, severe deformity. Viewed from the side of the development of the arthrosis, the muscles may be partially atrophied - this can be seen with the naked eye.
With a manual exam, the doctor will evaluate the function of the joint according to several criteria:
- Capable of making voluntary hand movements.
- Thickening of the margins of the joint surface (large osteomas can be detected by palpation).
- A "click" of the hand may be heard or felt when the shoulder is moved.
- Joint jamming in the presence of free chondromic bodies.
- Pathological movements of the shoulder.
X-ray
To detect signs of shoulder osteoarthritis, radiographs are performed in two projections, allowing you to assess the degree of joint space narrowing, bone surface condition, size and cell count. bone, the presence of fluid, and inflammation of the surrounding tissues.
Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)
A non-invasive method that allows you to examine the joints in pregnant women and young children. According to the results of ultrasound, the doctor determines the thickness of the cartilage, the condition of the synovial membrane. This method clearly visualizes osteoblasts, enlarged lymph nodes in the pericellular space.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
The MRI machine takes pictures of consecutive sections. The image clearly shows not only the joint, but also the adjacent tissues. To date, magnetic resonance imaging is one of the most informative methods in the diagnosis of rheumatic diseases.
Test
As part of a comprehensive examination, they specify:
- General blood analysis. Based on the results, the doctor can judge the presence and severity of the inflammatory process. The analysis also helps to assess general health status.
- Urine analysis. Kidney diseases often cause secondary deformity of the joints. Analysis is necessary for an accurate diagnosis.
- Blood chemistry. The data helps determine the cause of the inflammation. Biochemical analyzes were also performed to monitor complications and side effects during treatment.
Treatment of shoulder osteoarthritis
Therapy is long and difficult. Treatment includes medication, wellness procedures, and special exercises for osteoarthritis of the shoulder. In difficult cases, surgical intervention is indicated.
Medical therapy
The type of drug and the dose are selected individually. Your doctor may prescribe:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Medicines to reduce inflammation and pain.
- Glucocorticosteroid preparations. Hormone-based means have a stronger impact on the focus of pain. The drug not only alleviates the patient's condition, but also reduces inflammation, exhibits antihistamine and immunosuppressive properties. Glucocorticosteroids are prescribed in cases where NSAIDs are not effective.
- Analgesic. Medicines of this class are prescribed for severe pain syndromes. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may choose a non-narcotic or narcotic pain reliever (rare).
- Chondroprotectors. The active components of the drug participate in the formation of new cartilage tissue. The regeneration of the diseased joint is accelerated, the temperature condition is improved. Chondroprotectors have a cumulative and proven effect in the treatment of rheumatic diseases of varying severity.
Some drugs are injected directly into the joint cavity. For example, blockade drugs are more effective at reducing pain than taking them in tablet form.
Physical therapy
Courses are taken after the exacerbation is eliminated. Physical therapy is part of a complex therapy that improves drug delivery to the affected joint, reduces swelling, and relieves pain.
To treat dry joints, use:
- Electrophoresis.
- Electrophoresis.
- Shock wave therapy.
Physiotherapy can be combined with massage, exercise therapy, therapeutic bathing. It is best to undergo a series of procedures based on a specialist clinic. The doctor will develop a treatment plan that takes into account the condition of a particular patient.
Physical therapy
Moderate physical activity is important to slow down the degenerative process. You're better off starting your shoulder osteoarthritis exercises in a medical center, under the supervision of your doctor. The specialist will select the exercises, instruct how to do them correctly and distribute the load so as not to cause an exacerbation of the disease. Gymnastics typically includes warm-ups, stretching, and endurance training. Exercises are performed at least 3 times a week.
After a course with a specialist, the patient can perform exercises to treat shoulder osteoarthritis at home.
Surgery
The operation was performed with a patient with grade 3 joints, when the disease no longer allowed the patient to walk normally, the pain was severe and the prescribed therapies did not help.
There are several surgical treatments:
- Puncture. A long needle is inserted into the joint cavity and the accumulated fluid is pumped out. Perforation relieves pressure, reduces swelling, and increases joint mobility. The procedure is minimally invasive, so it's done on an outpatient basis. The material obtained during the puncture will be sent for study to determine the infectious agent or other indicators.
- Arthroscopy. With the help of microsurgery instruments, the doctor examines the joint cavity, removes scar tissue, and sews the tendons of the rotator cuff or joint capsule if they are damaged. Some punctures remain in the skin. The patient recovered quickly.
- Endogenous drugs. Endoscopy allows you to completely get rid of chronic pain, restore mobility of the arm. After surgery, long rehabilitation is needed (from 3 to 6 months).