Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint (another name - omarthrosis) is a disease characterized by joint damage in this area. The damaged joint is gradually destroyed, bringing the patient not only pain, but also significantly limiting the movement of the hand as a whole.
Doctors recommend treating the initial stages of the disease at home, consuming large amounts of drugs has a detrimental effect on the body, while folk remedies show excellent results without causing side effects. Home methods of disease control will be discussed further.
Causes of disease
In most cases, the elderly suffer from osteoarthritis. According to statistics, about 10% of people under the age of 65 suffer from the disease; in patients older than 75 years, the incidence of osteoarthritis is about 90%. This aspect is related to age-related changes in tissues, cartilage, and worn joints.
Doctors identify several possible causes of osteoarthritis of the shoulder:
- genetic factor. Scientists tend to believe that some people who have relatives with osteoarthritis of the shoulder joints are susceptible to a similar disease many times more than people who do not have such family ties;
- autoimmune diseases. The body's defense is a complex system, malfunctions in its work cause aggressive destruction of one's own cells, including joints;
- excessive physical activity. The disease is often the result of professional sports activities;
- various injuries. Even small damage over time can lead to catastrophic consequences;
- circulatory disorders. Lack of nutrients negatively affects joint function;
- advanced age. Older people are more likely than others to suffer from diseases of the musculoskeletal system. It is a consequence of the physiological process of aging, the exhaustion of the joints.
Bitan!Whatever the reason for the appearance of arthrosis of the shoulder joint, deal with the problem immediately. Neglected cases are not subject to conservative methods, surgical intervention is required.
Characteristic signs and symptoms
The progression of the symptoms of the disease can take years or even decades, but in the end, arthrosis of the shoulder joint leads to the inability to move the arm and severe pain.
The clinical picture of shoulder arthrosis appears gradually. The course of the disease is long, at the beginning of its development the patient may not feel anything or the symptoms are successfully disguised as ordinary fatigue.
If you notice any of the symptoms described below, see a doctor and resolve the problem immediately.
Arthrosis of the shoulder joint is most often indicated by the following signs:
- bol. It is usually boring, the attacks are felt at night or after physical exertion. Sometimes the pain syndrome manifests itself during a sharp change in weather conditions;
- characteristic creak. It is associated with salt deposition in the diseased joint. At first the sound is quiet, with time it becomes clear, followed by pain;
- difficulties with engine function. It is difficult for patients to cope with daily obligations, over time it becomes increasingly difficult to move the shoulder;
- island. It is a consequence of the inflammatory process, the beginning of the course of osteoarthritis. There is also a hardening of the joint, a slight reddening of the skin around it.
Home treatment methods
How and how to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint? The initial stages of the disease are amenable to home therapy. Before that, be sure to consult an experienced expert, follow his recommendations. You can independently resort to special methods that are used as adjunctive therapy to drug treatment, physiotherapy.
There are many different techniques that quickly deal with the pain syndrome, speed up the healing process and restore mobility to the diseased joint. The required course of home therapy is individually selected by an experienced specialist. Doctors do not recommend making such decisions on your own.
Gymnastics
Special exercises are aimed at exercising the muscles, restoring the motor activity of the injured shoulder. All manipulations are performed after consulting a doctor. To achieve the desired result, follow the special rules:
- austerity is a prerequisite;
- exercise regularly. Only 10 minutes a day spent in gymnastics will pay off with interest;
- during exercise relax the muscles as much as possible, this aspect will avoid injuries and micro-damage to the joints;
- low frequency of movement will allow a quick result without injuries;
- swing amplitude - small (for safety reasons);
- gradually increase the load;
- pain is an alarming signal. It is forbidden to take painkillers for gymnastics. Take good care of a sore joint, do not overload it;
- do all the manipulations in front of the mirror. This way you can control the desired shoulder lift without exceeding the specified limit;
- almost all exercises are performed in a sitting or lying position. A great option is water gymnastics, so the load is removed from the painful joint, training is extremely useful.
All the above recommendations help to properly perform gymnastics and exercises to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, prevent re-injury of the affected area. Regular exercise will make it easier for you to move and return to a normal lifestyle.
Approximate training scheme (certain exercises should be discussed with your doctor):
- sit on the sofa, gradually lower and raise your shoulders, the amplitude should not exceed 2 centimeters. Do not try to move only the sore shoulder, there is a high probability of damage, do all the exercises symmetrically;
- sit on a flat surface, rest your palms lightly on your knees, begin to slowly swing your shoulders back and forth. Make sure you do the job with the shoulder blades and shoulder joint, moving your arms too much is not recommended;
- slowly rotate your shoulders clockwise and for two minutes, the range of motion should not exceed two centimeters;
- sit on a chair, put your palms on your knees. Start moving backwards, gradually bending your elbows, and do not take your palms off your knees. Repeat the exercise 20 times, starting with 10 repetitions;
- place your palms on the back of your head, cross your arms. Bring and spread your elbows lightly, do manipulations to the point of tolerable pain, it is strictly forbidden to overexert yourself;
- spread your feet shoulder-width apart, take a small weight in your hand with a sore joint (a bottle of water or a dumbbell weighing 0. 5 kg is enough). Lean forward a little, start swinging the weight with your hand, if the feelings are acceptable, then develop the painful joint in a circular motion.
The above exercises are simple, do not require special physical training and can be performed by patients of any age. If any manipulations bring unbearable pain, give up gymnastics, visit a doctor, perhaps the situation is so neglected that conservative methods do not have the desired effect.
Folk remedies and recipes
Traditional medicines for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, which have long been used by healers, can still be used today, but only as an adjunct to the treatment prescribed by a doctor.
Natural remedies sometimes provide better analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects than conventional remedies.
But it is impossible to completely refuse to take medication, the orthopedist will tell you the basic rules for using folk remedies.
A large selection of recipes will allow you to choose the ideal remedy for the treatment of osteoarthritis folk remedies:
- propolis-based ointment shows high efficiency. Take 50 grams of lard, add three grams of propolis. Mix the finished mass well, use it as a treatment and prevention (immediately after serious physical effort);
- the presence of allergies to bee products forces patients with osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint to use ointments based on medicinal herbs, for example, sweet clover, St. John's wort. Take 50 grams of Vaseline as a base, add 10 grams of each plant component. Lubricate the affected area with the received medicine daily before bedtime, the duration of therapy is determined by the attending physician;
- toothpaste. It has long been used to treat diseases of the joints of varying severity. Boil 30 grams of flakes in 400 ml of water, spread the cooled mass evenly over the sore spot, first put it on clean gauze. The procedure lasts 40 minutes, then the bandage is removed, the shoulder is washed with warm water;
- excellent results show rubbing with alcohol tinctures. Take 50 grams of dried elecampane root, pour 125 ml of vodka. Rub the resulting tincture on the damaged shoulder areas up to five times a day. In addition to the analgesic effect, the drug improves blood circulation, restores the supply of nutrients to the appropriate level, thus initiating regenerative processes in the joint;
- cabbage juice. Cabbage has long coped with joint pain, attach a vegetable leaf to a sore joint, first beat it a little with a kitchen hammer until the healing juice is released. Useful dressing is performed at night, regular procedures carry even with severe pain, alleviate the condition in advanced cases.
Mass therapy
Self-massage improves blood flow, restores motor function of the affected shoulder. Light caressing, kneading, shaking is allowed. Powerful movements are excluded, you can feel the line between a useful massage and damage to health. The best option is prior training with an experienced professional. In the advanced stages, such a technique is forbidden, improper movement can cause irreparable damage to the patient's health.
Special rules of diet and nutrition
Nutrition plays an important role in strengthening the joints, starting the regeneration of the cartilage tissue. Lean on fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meats, legumes, fish. Eliminate the intake of fatty foods, salty foods, fast foods and carbonated beverages in the body. Give up semi-finished products, these products contain a lot of fat that negatively affects the general condition of the person.
Proper nutrition helps to reduce body weight, which reduces the load on the musculoskeletal system. An important role is played by the use of fermented dairy products, the active substances in them saturate the bones with minerals and vitamins, strengthening the patient's joints. Proper nutrition has a beneficial effect on the work of all human organs and systems.
Osteoarthritis most often occurs against the background of age-related changes in the shoulder joint. It is impossible to stop the aging process, but it is quite possible to slow it down. Moderate physical activity, proper diet, regular check-ups with a therapist or orthopedist will reduce the chances of osteoarthritis or delay its onset for a while.
Avoid injuries, exercise gently, monitor your feelings. All unpleasant symptoms are a signal to go to the doctor. Timely detected disease responds well to treatment, it is possible to preserve the joint, which allows painless movement of the shoulders. Take care of your health, take care of your musculoskeletal system.