Arthrosis Of The Shoulder Joint - Causes, Symptoms, Degrees And Treatment Of Arthrosis Of The Shoulder Joint

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Causes, symptoms, degree and treatment of arthrosis of the shoulder joint

Arthrosis of the shoulder joint is a fairly common problem that most older people face. This chronic and rapidly progressive degenerative disease affects both men and women. As a result of the development of arthrosis, not only cartilage tissue is affected, but also bone tissue. This process is due to its damage and weakening under the influence of microtrauma and inflammation. Cartilage becomes thin over time, cracks. Salt deposits accumulate in cracks. They accelerate the destruction of cartilaginous tissue, and as a result, dense bone tissue becomes. At the same time, it deforms.

The development of arthrosis of the shoulder joint can take a long time. At the initial stages, the disease does not manifest itself and does not bother the patient. But at some point, the first symptoms appear. This usually occurs after increased stress on the joint, hypothermia. The destruction of cartilage and bone tissue occurs slowly, it is difficult to determine if there are no symptoms, but when the first signs of arthrosis of the shoulder joint appear, you should immediately consult a doctor! The disease is most effectively treated in the first stages.

Content:

• Causes of arthrosis of the shoulder joint
• Symptoms of arthrosis of the shoulder joint
• The degree of arthrosis of the shoulder joint
• Deforming arthrosis of the shoulder joint
• Diagnosis of arthrosis of the shoulder joint
• Treatment of arthrosis of the shoulder joint
• Alternative treatment of arthrosis of the shoulder joint

Causes of arthrosis of the shoulder joint

The following causes of arthrosis of the shoulder joint can be distinguished:

Shoulder injury

These include injuries such as intra-articular fractures, dislocations, bruises. Intra-articular fractures differ in the line of the fracture, which falls entirely on the joint cavity. Moreover, they affect not only bone tissue, but also cartilaginous tissue, causing various complications: rupture of ligaments, damage to the capsule.

A shoulder dislocation is less dangerous than a fracture, but it can also cause arthrosis. It occurs more often than other injuries. This is due to the anatomical features of the shoulder joint, which as a result deforms and loses its mobility. A bruise does not imply displacement and destruction of bone and cartilaginous tissue; it is formed as a result of a strong blow, for example, during a car accident or an unsuccessful fall. Timely treatment can prevent complications leading to arthrosis of the shoulder joint.

Vascular diseases

The development of arthrosis provokes atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities. This disease often affects men, smokers, patients with diabetes mellitus. Atherosclerosis involves insufficient blood supply to the vessels of the lower extremities. This, in turn, causes cramps, pain during sports or any other physical activity. To cope with the disease helps conservative treatment, diet. With atherosclerosis, it is recommended to do physical exercises recommended by your doctor. A neglected disease can lead to arthrosis affecting various joints, including the shoulder.

Varicose veins are another factor that increases the risk of destruction and weakening of cartilage tissue. It involves the thinning of the venous walls, the formation of nodules on them. The reason for these processes is an increase in venous pressure due to a sedentary lifestyle, hereditary predisposition. With varicose veins, the legs begin to swell, bursting pain is felt in them. As a result, all this can provoke arthrosis of the joints.

A factor that increases the risk of developing arthrosis of the shoulder joint is obliterating endarteritis. This disease is associated with impaired blood circulation, as a result of which the tissues are deprived of the required amount of oxygen, which leads to limitation of their functioning and necrosis. The main symptoms of obliterating endarteritis are increased sweating of the legs, pallor of the skin of the lower extremities and a feeling of numbness. In the later stages of the development of the disease, a weak pulse and convulsions are observed, ulcers are formed, which can turn into gangrene.

Physical inactivity is one of the most common problems in modern society. This disease is caused by lack of physical activity, which causes a feeling of drowsiness and apathy. In patients with physical inactivity, sleep, appetite and mood may deteriorate. The disease affects not only the physical condition of a person, but also psychological and emotional. One of the most common complications caused by physical inactivity is cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis.

Overeating, lack of physical activity causes excess weight, metabolic disorders and, as a result, difficulty in blood circulation in the periarticular and cartilaginous tissues, which leads to arthrosis. In such cases, it will be possible to cope with the disease only by eliminating the cause that caused it, that is, the clogging of the blood vessels.

Disruption of hormonal levels and weakening of the immune system

Hormonal changes and weakening of immunity provoke the destruction of cartilage tissue. They can be caused by psoriasis. This chronic, noncommunicable disease affects a significant portion of the population. Psoriasis manifests itself in the form of a rash on the skin, and most often rashes appear in young people. It can be caused by various reasons, the main among which are stress, metabolic disorders, weakened immunity.

Psoriasis is a systemic disease, that is, gradually, if untreated, it can cause damage to other organs, including joints. If red itchy spots appear on the skin, you should consult a dermatologist who will make an accurate diagnosis and recommend the necessary preventive measures. It is with their help that in most cases the spread of the rash is stopped. Sometimes they resort to methods such as cryotherapy or plasmapheresis.

In men, arthrosis of the shoulder joint is often caused by gout. This disease is associated with an excess of uric acid in the body. It is not excreted, accumulating in the body, and is deposited in the form of small crystals. This process becomes the cause of pain in gout.

Some patients have normal uric acid levels. In such cases, gout is due to other reasons. Symptoms include swelling and swelling of the joint. External changes are noticeable during a gout attack. It usually happens at night. At the same time, the joint becomes warm, the skin turns red. Running gout creates favorable conditions for the development of arthrosis of the shoulder joint. Medical treatment, proper nutrition and weight control help to avoid unpleasant consequences. After all, it is the excess weight that creates a significant load on the joints and contributes to the exacerbation of gout.

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Diseases of the joints

Acute and chronic shoulder arthritis can lead to arthrosis. The cause of the disease is injuries, various infections, allergic reactions, nervous shocks, and immunodeficiency. You can determine the presence of arthritis by the tumor in the shoulder area and pain in the joint during any movement. It can proceed in acute and chronic form.

In the first case, arthritis is caused by an infection that invades the joint and causes inflammation. As a result, the shoulder swells and the skin turns red. Chronic arthritis involves periodic pain. It is more difficult to cope with it than with a sharp one. Most often, chronic arthritis develops in old age, due to the deposition of salts in the joint. In young people, this condition can be caused by damage to the joint resulting from trauma.

Another reason is an infection that causes an abundant release of lubricant. This leads to swelling and pain in the joint. In any case, timely treatment is necessary. Otherwise, arthritis of the shoulder joint can cause arthrosis. If the connective tissue on the inner side of the articular tissue becomes inflamed, the composition of the articular fluid changes, and effusion is released into the joint cavity. This inflammation is known in medicine as synovitis. It occurs most often after an injury and, if untreated, almost always leads to arthrosis of the shoulder joint. Therefore, if you experience characteristic pain in the shoulder joint, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Synovitis is treated with a conservative method. The most effective drugs in this case are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The clinic also carries out a puncture and pump out the fluid accumulated in the joint cavity. The joint should then be fixed with a splint. Infectious synovitis requires antibiotic therapy. There may be cases when conservative treatment is not enough, and drugs do not give the desired effect. Then they resort to surgical intervention.

Damage to the shoulder joint and its arthrosis causes aseptic bone necrosis. Pathology involves cell death and can be caused by trauma or genetic predisposition. To cope with aseptic tissue necrosis, both medical and surgical methods of treatment allow. It all depends on the degree of neglect of the disease and the characteristics of the patient's body. Bone tissue can be restored with chondoprotectors and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The use of drugs can be combined with manual therapy and physiotherapy, moderate exercise and massage.

On the subject: Joint diseases - types, causes, symptoms and treatment

Increased load on the shoulder joint

As a rule, this is a systematic overvoltage. It usually occurs in athletes who professionally play volleyball, tennis, basketball, and throw shells. An increased load on the shoulder joint is observed in people of certain professions: loaders, hammers, builders. In case of constant overvoltage, it is recommended to avoid injuries and damage, and do not make sudden movements.

Genetic predisposition

In the course of medical research, it was found that the risk of developing arthrosis of the shoulder joint is high in those patients whose relatives suffer from similar diseases. It can be coxarthrosis or gonarthrosis. Moreover, the place of defeat does not necessarily coincide.

Metabolic disorders and diseases of the endocrine system

Problems with the cartilage and bone tissue of the shoulder joint can be caused by vitamin deficiency, a lack of vitamins in the body, and immunodeficiency. For joints, phosphorus and calcium, minerals and trace elements are of great importance. The lack of the required amount of these substances in the body causes changes in the cartilage tissue, synovial fluid. All this complicates the recovery processes and negatively affects the joints, causing arthrosis. That is why it is so important to get the necessary trace elements with food and additionally take vitamin complexes.

Elderly age

Throughout life, joints are subjected to severe stress, as a result of which bone and cartilage tissue weakens and becomes thinner. Therefore, after 45-50 years, the risk of developing arthrosis of the shoulder joint increases several times.

Overweight

Patients with arthrosis in most cases have problems with the figure. Excess weight is a source of additional stress on the joints, which is why obesity so often leads to arthrosis of the joints.

Congenital pathologies

It could be a defect in the collagen gene. This substance provides elasticity to cartilage and bone tissue. In people with the altered gene, there is an insufficient amount of collagen in the body, which negatively affects the joints and leads to the development of arthrosis.

Symptoms of arthrosis of the shoulder joint

There are 3 directions of symptoms:

• Pain. This is the main symptom of arthrosis of the shoulder joint. However, the pain in this case can be different. It increases with increasing load on the shoulder joint. The discomfort that occurs at the same time limits the ability to move the shoulder. The location of pain points can be determined by palpation. In arthrosis of the shoulder joint, the lower edge of the clavicle and scapula are the main sources of pain. Unpleasant sensations, arising in the shoulder area, spread throughout the arm. Initially, pain is felt only when moving, but in the later stages of arthrosis and at rest.
• Cracking when moving in the joint. The presence of characteristic sounds is due to the deposition of salts in the shoulder joint, forming osteophytes. When you move the joint, a clicking or crunching sound becomes audible.
• Restriction of movement in the shoulder joint. The manifestation of this symptom depends on the degree of development of arthrosis of the shoulder joint. At the initial stages, there is no limitation of mobility. The pain is also weak. Restriction of movement is possible with an exacerbation of the disease. Then the patient cannot freely rotate and abduct by hand. However, this symptom rarely occurs, since arthrosis of the shoulder joint is usually chronic. An exacerbation can be triggered by increased stress on the joint, hypothermia, sprains. Gradually arthrosis can lead to dysfunction of the limb.

The degree of arthrosis of the shoulder joint

Depending on the nature of the lesion of cartilage and bone tissue, symptoms distinguish several degrees of arthrosis of the shoulder joint. This classification allows the doctor to determine the methods of treatment and predict the development of the disease.

Arthrosis of the shoulder joint 1 degree

The morphological tissues of the joint at this stage change slightly. The onset of pain is possible after lifting weights or performing monotonous shoulder movements. The cartilage becomes less elastic. It is now able to withstand less stress than before.

Before moving the arm after a long sleep or being at rest, the patient needs to develop it by making slow movements. X-ray examination does not show significant tissue changes. Inflammation of the shoulder joint is observed after overstrain. Usually, patients do not pay attention to mild discomfort in the shoulder area with arthrosis of the 1st degree, attributing everything to possible sprains or increased physical activity. However, this negligence has serious consequences.

Arthrosis of the shoulder joint 2 degree

In this case, the symptoms of arthrosis become more and more noticeable. The tissues of the shoulder joint undergo significant changes. Thinning of the cartilage leads to the appearance of defects, a characteristic crunch is heard during movement. The synovium becomes inflamed.

Arthrosis of the shoulder joint of the 2nd degree affects not only the cartilage tissue, but also the menisci, as well as the ligaments inside the joint. Such changes lead to limited muscle functionality. Over time, they may even atrophy. In order to prevent this, it is important to seek medical help in time.

Shoulder arthrosis grade 3

At this stage, changes in the tissues of the shoulder joint are difficult to miss. The joint is largely deformed and practically immobile, since friction between the articular surfaces is disturbed. If you do not stop the process of destruction of bone and cartilage tissue, complete immobilization will occur.

Arthrosis of the shoulder joint of grade 3 is the most difficult to treat and requires surgery. Therefore, it is important not to start the disease. But arthrosis of the shoulder joint of the 3rd degree is a rare phenomenon. The destruction of cartilaginous tissue to this extent can only be caused by extreme stress.

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Deforming arthrosis of the shoulder joint

Deforming arthrosis of the shoulder joint is characterized by the destruction of articular cartilage, which causes a change in the articular surfaces of the bones. At the initial stages, the structure of the cartilage changes at the molecular level, and then at the cellular level. Changes affect cartilage tissue, synovium, articular bag. As a result, all these processes lead to deformation and destruction of the shoulder joint.

The disease is manifested by dull and aching pain in the shoulder area. Unpleasant sensations intensify at night and with a sharp change in weather. The chronic nature of the disease does not allow you to get rid of it completely, but there are various methods of treatment that can reduce pain and stop tissue destruction.

Diagnosis of arthrosis of the shoulder joint

Diagnosis involves taking X-rays. After such an examination, you can see osteophytes in the picture, that is, salt deposits in the joint area, and dystrophic changes. If the disease has managed to develop up to 2 or 3 degrees, then the joint space narrows, the bone deforms and changes its shape. This is also noticeable in the picture. When making a diagnosis, clinical signs are important, so the doctor interviews the patient and palpates the area of the shoulder joint.

MRI. At the initial stages of the development of the disease, it can be difficult to determine the presence of arthrosis. In order not to be mistaken with the diagnosis, an MRI of the shoulder joint is performed. For examination by this method, the patient lies on his back and then is placed in the tunnel of the magnetic resonance imaging scanner. During the procedure, it is forbidden to move. The survey usually takes no more than half an hour.

CT of the shoulder joint is another method for diagnosing arthrosis in difficult cases. First of all, radiography is performed, and if it is not enough, computed tomography is performed. The overlap of adjacent bones on top of each other in the x-ray image does not allow a detailed study of the damage. Computed tomography can provide a more complete picture of the joint.

Since arthrosis of the shoulder joint can be caused by other diseases: cardiovascular, endocrine, consultation of a narrow specialist is often required. Diagnostics also includes a biochemical blood test. In patients with arthrosis of the shoulder joint, as a rule, all signs of inflammation are found.

Treatment of arthrosis of the shoulder joint

After the diagnosis is made, an orthopedist or traumatologist prescribes appropriate treatment. It is almost impossible to cope with arthrosis of the shoulder joint, since this disease is chronic. But there is an opportunity to slow down its development and relieve pain.

Treatment can be carried out by conservative or surgical methods:

Conservative treatment

In the first case, chondroprotectors are usually prescribed. These preparations are made on the basis of natural ingredients - cartilaginous tissues of invertebrates or salmon. In addition, chondroprotectors contain natural and herbal ingredients.

The presence of chondroitin and glucosamine in the preparations helps to restore cartilage tissue. These substances are part of the cartilage of human joints. When there is a lack of them in the body, the nutrition of tissue cells is disrupted. As a result, the cartilage of the shoulder joint is destroyed and arthrosis develops.

The effectiveness of chondroprotectors is due to the degree of development of the disease and the timeliness of their administration. If the cartilage tissue is almost completely destroyed, as is the case with arthrosis of the shoulder joint of grade 3, it cannot be restored, which means that such drugs are no longer effective. Chondroprotectors help well in the initial stages of the development of joint diseases. It is important to take them regularly for a long time.

Some patients complain that they do not feel a significant effect from chondroprotectors. This is due to the insufficient amount of time during which the reception is conducted. With long-term treatment, these drugs give good results.

On the subject: What chondroprotectors to take for arthrosis?

In pharmacies such hondoprotectors as Elbona, Teraflex, Structum are presented, but the doctor must prescribe the specific medicine, as well as the dosage.

Drug treatment

Drug treatment is also carried out with the help of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The main purpose of these drugs is to relieve pain and relieve inflammation.

Among the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used for arthrosis, the most famous are diclofenac sodium and nimesulide:

• Diclofenac. The action of the drug is based on blocking the action of an enzyme that contributes to the appearance of pain and fever. When taking diclofenac sodium, patients get rid of the feeling of stiffness in the shoulder joint in the morning, swelling disappears, and discomfort disappears. At the same time, the functions of the joint are restored. Difficulties with physical activity no longer arise, the amplitude of hand movement increases.
• Nimesulide is a drug that allows you to quickly get rid of pain and inflammation of the shoulder joint. It is well absorbed, so after 1-2 hours all the unpleasant sensations caused by arthrosis disappear. Side effects when taking nimesulide are rare, but mild headaches, drowsiness, and urticaria are possible. Patients suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys should take the drug strictly under medical supervision. Particular attention to the dosage and the presence of side effects should be paid attention to the elderly.

Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids can help treat severe inflammation. This is another group of drugs that are used to treat arthrosis. Corticosteroids are used as part of a combination therapy. As an independent remedy for the treatment of arthrosis, they are ineffective, since they do not affect the cartilaginous tissue, do not contribute to its restoration. Purely because of its anti-inflammatory properties, corticosteroid injections are so popular among trauma surgeons. They act quickly and block any inflammatory processes in the joint. Thus, corticosteroids can stop the development of arthrosis of the shoulder joint.

In this disease, not only drugs are used for oral administration. They often use ointments and gels. Arthrosis of the shoulder joint of the 3rd degree requires surgical intervention. Remedial gymnastics is very useful. It includes simple exercises, for example, flexion-extension movements, rubbing.

Alternative treatment of arthrosis of the shoulder joint

Surgical and drug treatment can be combined with the use of traditional medicine:

• With arthrosis of the shoulder joint, a mixture of propolis and pork fat helps well. Blended in equal proportions, natural ingredients are rubbed into the shoulder area.
• Inside, you can take a decoction of corn silk. Several tablespoons of raw materials are brewed with boiling water, and then infused. You can drink a tablespoon of the medicine a day before each meal.
• Herbal baths have a positive effect on the joints. They can be cooked with decoctions of burdock, chamomile, nettle. After taking such a bath, you should dry yourself with a towel and go to bed.
• An effective product is obtained from oatmeal. They should be brewed with boiling water, the resulting medicine should be infused, and then compresses should be made from it and applied to the shoulder joint at night. In this case, it is advisable to use canvas fabric.

On the subject: Other folk remedies for arthrosis

Author of the article: Kaplan Alexander Sergeevich | Orthopedist

Education: diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received in 2009 at the Medical Academy. I. M. Sechenov. In 2012 completed postgraduate studies in Traumatology and Orthopedics at the City Clinical Hospital named after Botkin at the Department of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Disaster Surgery.