Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint (another name - osteoarthritis) is a disease characterized by damage to the joint in that area. The damaged joint is gradually destroyed, causing not only pain in the patient, but also significantly restricts the movement of the hand as a whole.
Doctors recommend treating the early stages of the disease at home, the consumption of a large amount of drugs has a bad effect on the body, while folk remedies give excellent results without causing side effects. These are the home disease control methods that will be discussed later.
Causes of the disease
In most cases, the elderly suffer from osteoarthritis. According to statistics, about 10% of people under 65 suffer from a disease; in patients over 75 years of age, the incidence of osteoarthritis is approximately 90%. The appearance is associated with age-related changes in tissue, cartilage, wear and tear on the joints.
Doctors identify several possible causes of osteoarthritis of the shoulder:
- genetic factor. Scientists are inclined to believe that some people who have relatives with osteoarthritis of the shoulder joints are several times more likely to suffer from a similar disease than people who do not have such family ties;
- autoimmune diseases. The body's defenses are a complex system, failures in its work cause aggressive destruction of its own cells, including the joints;
- excessive physical activity. The disease is often the result of professional sports activities;
- various injuries. Even small damage over time can have dire consequences;
- circulatory disorders. The lack of nutrients negatively affects the functioning of the joint;
- advanced age. Older people suffer from musculoskeletal system conditions more often than others. This is due to the physiological aging process, the exhaustion of the joints.
Important!Whatever the reason for the appearance of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, immediately solve the problem. Neglected cases do not lend themselves to conservative methods, surgery is required.
Characteristic signs and symptoms
The progression of the symptoms of the disease can take years, even decades, but eventually osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint results in the inability to move the arm and severe pain.
The clinical picture of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint 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 simple fatigue.
If you notice any of the symptoms described below, see a doctor and resolve the issue immediately.
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is most often indicated by the following signs:
- pain. Usually it is dull, the attacks are felt at night or after physical exertion. Sometimes the pain syndrome manifests itself with a sharp change in weather conditions;
- characteristic crunch. It is associated with the deposition of salts in the diseased joint. Initially, the sound is calm, over time it becomes distinct, accompanied by pain;
- difficulties with motor function. It is difficult for patients to cope with daily tasks, over time it becomes more difficult to move the shoulder;
- swelling. It is the result of the inflammatory process, the beginning of the development of osteoarthritis. There is also a hardening of the joint, a slight redness of the skin around it.
Home treatment methods
How and how to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint? The early stages of the disease lend themselves to therapy at home. Beforehand, be sure to consult an experienced specialist, follow his recommendations. You can independently resort to special methods that are used as an auxiliary therapy for drug therapy, physiotherapy.
There are many different techniques that can quickly cope with the pain syndrome, speed up the healing process, and restore mobility to the diseased joint. The required course of home therapy is selected individually by an experienced specialist. Doctors do not recommend making such decisions on their own.
Gymnastic
Special exercises are aimed at training the muscles, restoring the motor activity of the injured shoulder. All manipulations are carried out after consulting a doctor. To achieve the desired result, follow special rules:
- the savings plan is a prerequisite;
- regular exercise. Only 10 minutes a day devoted to gymnastics will earn interest;
- during exercise, relax the muscles as much as possible, this aspect will prevent injury and micro-damage of the joints;
- low frequency of movements will provide a quick result without injury;
- swing amplitude - small (for safety reasons);
- gradually increase the load;
- pain is an alarming signal. It is forbidden to drink pain relievers for gymnastics. Take good care of the painful joint, do not overload it;
- do all the manipulations in front of the mirror. Thus, you can control the desired shoulder lift without exceeding the specified limit;
- almost all exercises are performed while sitting or lying down. Aquatic gymnastics is a great option. Thus, the load is removed from the painful joint, training is extremely beneficial.
All of the above recommendations help to correctly perform gymnastics and exercises for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, prevent further injury of the diseased area. Regular exercises will give ease of movement, a return to a normal lifestyle.
Approximate training regimen (specific exercises to be discussed with your doctor):
- sit on the sofa, gradually lower and lift your shoulders, the amplitude should not exceed 2 centimeters. Do not try to move only the painful shoulder, there is a high probability of damaging it, do all exercises symmetrically;
- sit on a flat surface, lightly rest your palms on your knees, begin to slowly swing your shoulders back and forth. Make sure that the work is done with the shoulder blades and the shoulder joint, it is not recommended to move the hands too much;
- slowly turn your shoulders clockwise and counter for two minutes, the range of motion should not exceed two centimeters;
- sit on a chair, place your palms on your knees. Start backing up by gradually bending your elbows, without removing your palms from your knees. Repeat the exercise 20 times, start with 10 repetitions;
- place your palms at the back of your head, cross your arms. Bring and gently spread your elbows, carry out the manipulations until the pain bearable, it is strictly forbidden to overwork yourself;
- spread your feet shoulder-width apart, take a small weight in your hand with a sore joint (a water bottle or 0. 5 kg dumbbell will do). Lean forward slightly, begin to swing the weight with your hand, if the sensations are acceptable, then make circular movements, developing the painful joint.
The above exercises are simple, do not require special physical training, and can be performed by patients of any age. If manipulations cause unbearable pain, give up gymnastics, consult a doctor, perhaps the situation is so neglected that conservative methods do not have the desired effect.
Folk remedies and recipes
Traditional remedies for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, which have long been used by healers, can still be used today, but only in addition to treatment prescribed by a doctor.
Natural remedies sometimes offer better analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects than conventional drugs.
But it is impossible to completely reject the taking of drugs, the orthopedist will tell you the basic rules for the use of folk remedies.
A wide choice of recipes will allow you to choose the ideal drug for the treatment of osteoarthritis with folk remedies:
- high efficiency is shown by ointment based on propolis. Take 50 grams of pork fat, add three grams of propolis. Mix the finished mass well, use it as a treatment and prevention (immediately after heavy physical exertion);
- the presence of an allergy to bee products, patients with osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint force them to use an ointment made from medicinal herbs, for example, sweet clover, St. John's wort. Take 50 grams of petroleum jelly as a basis, add 10 grams of each herbal component. Lubricate the affected area with the drug received daily before bedtime, the duration of treatment is determined by the attending physician;
- oatmeal compress. It has long been used to treat joint diseases of varying severity. Boil 30 grams of flakes in 400 ml of water, evenly distribute the cooled mass over the sore point, first placing it on a clean gauze. The duration of the procedure is 40 minutes, then the compress is removed, the shoulder is washed with warm water;
- excellent results are shown by rubbing with alcohol tinctures. Take 50 grams of dried elecampane roots, pour 125 ml of vodka. Rub the resulting tincture into the damaged areas of the shoulder up to five times a day. In addition to the analgesic effect, the remedy improves blood circulation, restores the supply of nutrients to the appropriate level, which triggers the regeneration processes of the joint;
- cabbage juice. Cabbage has long coped with joint pain, tie a vegetable leaf to the painful joint, first beat it a little with a kitchen hammer until the healing juice is released. A useful compress is performed at night, regular procedures cope even with severe pain, relieve the disease in advanced cases.
Massage therapy
Self-massage improves blood circulation, restores motor function of the affected shoulder. Light caresses, kneading, shaking are allowed. Strong movements are excluded, feel for yourself the borderline between a useful massage and a danger to health. The best option is preliminary training with an experienced specialist. In advanced stages, such a technique is prohibited, incorrect movement can cause irreparable damage to the health of the patient.
Special diet and nutritional rules
Nutrition plays an important role in strengthening the joints, initiating the regeneration of cartilage tissue. Rely on fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meats, legumes, fish. Eliminate the consumption of fatty foods, salty foods, fast food and carbonated drinks in the body. Give up semi-finished products, such products contain a lot of fat, which negatively affects the general condition of a person.
Eating the right diet helps reduce weight, which in turn reduces the load on the musculoskeletal system. The use of fermented dairy products plays an important role, the active substances in them saturate the bones with minerals and vitamins, thereby strengthening the joints of the patient. Good 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, good nutrition, regular examination by a therapist or orthopedist will reduce the risk of osteoarthritis or delay its onset for a while.
Avoid injury, exercise slowly, watch your feelings. Any unpleasant symptom is a signal to go to the doctor. A disease detected in time responds well to treatment, it is possible to preserve the joint, which allows painless movement of the shoulder. Take care of your health, take care of your musculoskeletal system.