Osteochondrosis of the shoulder joint
The content of the article:
- The reasons
- Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the shoulder joint
- Diagnostics
-
Treatment of cervicobrachial osteochondrosis
- Drug therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Lifestyle modification
- Physiotherapy
- Prevention
- Video
Osteochondrosis of the shoulder joint is a degenerative-dystrophic disease in which the articular cartilage of the shoulder is affected; other anatomical structures may also be involved in the pathological process.
Osteochondrosis of the shoulder joint can lead to significant limitation of movement in it
The reasons
Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the joints are extremely common in modern people. According to statistics, approximately 80% of the population has osteochondrosis of various localization at different stages of development. Usually, this disease occurs in people over 20 years old, with age, the likelihood of developing a pathological process increases.
The main reasons for the development of pathology include:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- excessive physical activity;
- genetic predisposition,
- shoulder injury.
Risk factors are:
- a history of infectious diseases;
- metabolic disorders;
- uneven distribution of the load (when using a barbell in the gym, etc.);
- posture disorders;
- trauma and microtrauma (especially in the absence of timely and correctly selected treatment);
- frequent stressful situations;
- overweight.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the shoulder joint
The first signs of the disease are painful sensations when trying to raise the arms up and / or spread apart, discomfort in the shoulder. In the future, the pain grows, it can spread to the muscles of the arm, radiate to the neck, intensify when the upper limb is abducted and inserted behind the back, forcing a person to restrict movement in the hand, take a specific pose in which the shoulder is pressed against the chest. Severe pain can occur for no apparent reason, as well as with a change in posture, it can increase in the evening and at night, which usually indicates the presence of an inflammatory process and an insufficient amount of synovial fluid in the joint. The pain in the shoulder may worsen when you cough and sneeze. If pain occurs at night, the patient may experience sleep disturbances.
As the disease progresses, the following symptoms appear:
- hand movements are accompanied by a crunch in the shoulder joint;
- violation of the motor functions of the joint;
- increased reflexes on the affected limb;
- swelling of the hand;
- increased sweating, pallor or cyanotic tint of the skin;
- paresthesia in the affected limb, numbness during prolonged stay in one position.
With the progression of the pathology and the absence of adequate treatment, the patient may experience:
- blood pressure surges;
- headache and dizziness;
- deterioration of vision and hearing;
- violation of the sensitivity of the skin.
There may be pinched nerves, periarthritis may develop, and over time, joint deformation may occur. Since osteochondrosis of the shoulder joint often occurs together with damage to the cervical spine, the disease can lead to deformity of the spine in the cervical spine. Pathology can significantly reduce the patient's quality of life.
Diagnostics
To make a diagnosis, it may be necessary to conduct an x-ray examination, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound examination.
Differential diagnosis is carried out with diseases of the cardiovascular system; for this purpose, electrocardiography may be needed.
Treatment of cervicobrachial osteochondrosis
Usually, the treatment of this disease is carried out at home under the supervision of a doctor. In some cases, it may be necessary to hospitalize the patient and treat him in a hospital setting. In the absence of effectiveness, conservative therapy may require surgery.
Sometimes the patient needs to restrict movement in the affected limb, for this purpose, fixing bandages, sometimes a cervical corset, are used.
Drug therapy
The choice of drugs, their dosage and duration of use should be carried out exclusively by a qualified specialist. The table shows the main groups of drugs used.
| Group of drugs | Explanation |
| Analgesics | Used if necessary to relieve pain |
| Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs | They are able to reduce inflammation and pain in the affected area, together with these means (if they are used for a long time), medications can be prescribed to protect the mucous membrane of the digestive tract |
| Corticosteroids | Relieve pain, inflammation, swelling, help restore metabolism in tissues |
| Chondroprotectors | Used to restore the cartilage tissue of the damaged joint |
| Sedatives | They are used when it is necessary to reduce emotional stress |
| Vitamin and mineral complexes | Improves metabolic processes in tissues |
In some cases, injectable drugs (blockade with anesthetics) are used to relieve severe pain syndrome.
Physiotherapy
Magnetic therapy, electrophoresis, phonophoresis, as well as acupuncture and massage are used. Physiotherapy methods are not prescribed during an exacerbation of the disease.
Lifestyle modification
Patients need lifestyle correction: elimination of hypodynamia, normalization of work and rest, replacement of an ordinary mattress and pillow with orthopedic ones, normalization of body weight, rejection of bad habits, adherence to the principles of healthy eating. It may be necessary to exclude or limit the use of table salt, which promotes fluid retention in the body and can aggravate the condition of a patient with osteochondrosis. It is also necessary to adhere to the drinking regime - drink at least one and a half liters of water per day.
Physiotherapy
In the complex of treatment of cervicobrachial osteochondrosis exercises of physiotherapy exercises are used. Gymnastics helps to relax and strengthen muscles, improve blood circulation and metabolism.
Physiotherapy exercises are prescribed during the period of remission. During charging, a person should not experience pain and pronounced discomfort.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the shoulder joint should be carried out under the supervision of a physician
After consulting a doctor, you can perform the following exercises (starting position standing):
- The patient raises both arms to chest level and spreads them to the sides. After that, the head and body must be turned to the right side, return to the starting position, and repeat the same actions to the left.
- With arms spread apart, a person performs 5 circular movements with his arms alternately back and forth.
- A person makes 5 circular movements in the wrist joints back and forth.
- The patient raises his arms up and clasps the elbow of the other hand with each of the palms, after which the limbs must be gently pulled back. The lower back does not bend at the same time. The exercise is repeated 5 times.
- The person wraps his palms around his waist and performs circular movements with his shoulders.
- Keeping his hands on the waist, the patient performs shoulder movements back and forth alternately.
- The person joins his hands in a lock behind his back, after which he begins to gently pull the affected shoulder down towards the buttocks.
The load should be increased gradually, coordinating it with the attending physician. Exercises from the complex of physiotherapy exercises can be used not only for treatment, but also for the prevention of disease.
Prevention
In order to prevent the development of the disease (especially for people from risk groups), it is recommended:
- take a contrast shower;
- to live an active lifestyle;
- eat properly;
- correct weight and posture;
- to refuse from bad habits;
- avoid physical and mental overload;
- get enough rest;
- if the work is associated with a long stay in one position; take regular breaks for gymnastics.
Video
We offer for viewing a video on the topic of the article.
Anna Aksenova Medical journalist About the author
Education: 2004-2007 "First Kiev Medical College" specialty "Laboratory Diagnostics".
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