Compared to arthrosis of the hip or knee, classic arthrosis of the shoulder joint is relatively rare, but the symptoms of this disease can cause severe discomfort to the patient, so it requires comprehensive treatment.Shoulder arthrosis (oarthrosis) is most often diagnosed in patients over the age of fifty.Its development is associated with the deterioration of the quality of the cartilage tissue that covers the surface of the joint.Cartilage plays the role of a shock absorber;it is thanks to that the individual bony components slide optimally in the shoulder joint.As the cartilage thins and its integrity is compromised, the bones in the joint begin to rub against each other.This is a painful process that leads to limited joint movement.The development of the disease causes the formation of osteophytes - abnormal growth of bone tissue at the edge of the shoulder joint.
Causes of shoulder joint arthrosis
In most cases, shoulder joint arthrosis develops with age due to natural wear and tear on the joint.After all, such body parts are quite complex structures;if it is frequently subjected to severe stress, the possibility of pathological changes increases.
There are cases where arthrosis of the shoulder joint occurs in younger people.A similar situation may occur if the cartilage tissue is damaged in an accident (a bad fall, road accident, etc.).If a person does not receive proper treatment after an injury, the cartilage is not used properly, and this can cause arthrosis.
Sometimes the loss of cartilage tissue in the shoulder joint is the result of a systemic disease, for example, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
symptoms
There are several typical symptoms of shoulder arthrosis.Among them:
- pain in the shoulder, especially when starting to move;
- morning stiffness, as well as limitation of movement after prolonged "inactivity";
- a cracking, clicking or rubbing sensation in the shoulder joint when moving;
- limited mobility of the shoulder joint, which is progressive.
Sometimes pain due to arthrosis of the shoulder joint occurs only after prolonged pressure in this area.The intensity of the symptoms of the disease, as well as their combination with each other, may differ in different patients.However, pain, as a rule, remains a stable symptom of the disease.
If you ignore unpleasant symptoms, your arm will hurt more and the disease will develop.The joint cavity will narrow to a minimum, and the inflammatory process will begin.In such a situation, the patient will be disturbed by more obvious symptoms of the disease:
- joint swelling;
- severe persistent pain;
- forced restriction of movement (up to complete immobility of the joint).
A long course of the disease can cause muscle atrophy due to rejection of normal activities.In such a situation, only surgery will help to overcome this disease.
Treatment
Unfortunately, the wear and tear of cartilage tissue is an irreversible process.If arthrosis of the shoulder joint is in the early stages of development, symptoms are temporary and mild, conservative treatment aimed at restoring joint function is recommended for patients with arthrosis of the shoulder joint.Typically, therapy includes:
- limiting activity and cooling the joint until the inflammation is eliminated;
- the use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to relieve pain and inflammation;
- the use of hormonal drugs for intra-articular administration (if the above drugs do not give the expected effect).
After suppressing the inflammatory process, arthrosis treatment usually includes:
- sequence;
- regular gymnastics (physical therapy);
- physiotherapeutic procedures (shock wave therapy, laser therapy, myostimulation, phonophoresis, ozone therapy, etc.).
Also, patients with arthrosis of the shoulder joint are usually prescribed drugs designed to stimulate the recovery of cartilage tissue.This is a chondroprotective drug.
Modern methods of conservative treatment of shoulder joint arthrosis
To treat the destructive process in the cartilage joints, doctors can use several new techniques.
Autoplasmotherapy
With this intervention, the patient is injected with his own platelet-rich plasma.It is believed that the growth factors found in platelets are able to stimulate the activity of fibroblasts - the production of collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin.Thanks to this process, a new intercellular matrix is built and small blood vessels develop, and this in turn helps restore metabolism, activate local immunity, improve microcirculation and normalize tissue respiration.According to doctors, autoplasma therapy makes it possible to start the full function of the synovial membrane of the joint, reduce the severity of pain and increase the range of motion in the joint.
Intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid
The effectiveness of non-animal hyaluronic acid for omarthrosis is still being studied by world scientists.In 2019, an article was published by an American expert (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA), which described the results of a preliminary study on the effectiveness of this procedure.It has been proven that hyaluronic acid can reduce the severity of pain for more than six months and increase the range of motion of the affected joint.
When is surgery necessary?
If the conservative treatment of arthrosis of the shoulder joint does not produce the expected results, and the symptoms of this disease significantly interfere with the patient's quality of life, the doctor may suggest surgery to restore the activity of the affected area.Today, endoprosthetics—installation of artificial joints (bioprosthesis)—can overcome this problem.This is a relatively new type of surgical intervention, which allows you to completely eliminate the problem of arthrosis: restore the function of the joints and the entire upper limb, neutralize painful sensations, and maintain performance as much as possible.