Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is a very common problem that many patients face, especially in old age.As a result of the development of arthrosis of the shoulder joint, the cartilage tissue of the humerus head and the articular cavity of the scapula, which plays with it, are affected.Damage and weakening of cartilage tissue causes changes and deformation of bone structures.
Causes of arthrosis of the shoulder joint
The most common causes of arthrosis of the shoulder joint are increased load on the shoulder joint and previous injuries: intra-articular fractures, sprains, bruises.The development of arthrosis can be promoted by vascular diseases and physical inactivity that disrupts the normal nutrition of the joint.
Sometimes arthrosis of the shoulder joint develops as a result of accompanying diseases: psoriasis, gout, infectious arthritis and others.
Symptoms of shoulder arthrosis
The development of arthrosis of the shoulder joint can take a long time.In the first stages, the disease usually does not show itself.But at a certain point, the first symptoms still appear.As a rule, they occur after an increased load on the joint or hypothermia.
The main symptom is pain in the shoulder joint that increases with movement.Unpleasant sensations can spread throughout the arm.When performing joint movements, a clicking or crunching sound is often heard.
At first, the pain is felt only when moving, but in the later stages of arthrosis, it bothers you even at rest.During the exacerbation of the disease and in the later stages of arthrosis, the patient cannot freely rotate and abduct the arm.The final stage of arthrosis of the shoulder joint leads to the disability of the patient: the joint is mostly deformed and practically immobile.A person should hold his hand in a forced position, which is the least painful for him.But this stage is a rare event.
Treatment of arthrosis of the shoulder joint
Treatment of arthrosis of the shoulder joint can be carried out using conservative or surgical methods.
Conservative treatment involves the appointment of chondroprotectors, which help restore cartilage tissue and stop its destruction.During an exacerbation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.Corticosteroids, given as an injection into the affected area, help fight severe inflammation.Ointments and gels are also often used for arthrosis of the shoulder joint.
Special orthoses are also used to immobilize the shoulder joint and a gentle routine.If you continue to load the shoulder girdle, the development of arthrosis in the early stages cannot be stopped.Important aspects of treatment are physiotherapy, massage and physiotherapy.
Surgical treatment of arthrosis of the shoulder joint is rarely performed due to the low prevalence of advanced forms of arthrosis.It consists of replacing the shoulder joint and the adjacent shoulder blade joint with a prosthesis.