Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint (other name - omarthrosis) is a disease characterized by damage to the joint in this area. The damaged joint is gradually destroyed, which not only causes pain to the patient, but also significantly restricts the movement of the hand as a whole.
Doctors recommend treating the initial stages of the disease at home, consumption of a large amount of drugs has an adverse effect on the body, while folk remedies show excellent results without any side effects. It's about the home methods of fighting the disease, which will be discussed further.
Causes of the disease
In most cases, the elderly suffer from osteoarthritis. According to statistics, around 10% of people under 65 years of age suffer from an illness, and the incidence of osteoarthritis in patients over 75 is around 90%. The aspect is associated with age-related changes in tissue, cartilage, joint wear.
Doctors identify several possible causes of shoulder osteoarthritis:
- genetic factor. Scientists tend to believe that some people who have relatives with osteoarthritis of the shoulder joints are many times more susceptible to a similar disease than people who do not have such family ties;
- Autoimmune diseases. The body's defenses are a complex system, mistakes in its work lead to the aggressive destruction of its own cells, including joints;
- excessive physical activity. The disease is often the result of professional sports activities;
- various injuries. Even minor damage over time can have catastrophic consequences;
- Circulatory disorders. A lack of nutrients affects the functioning of the joint;
- advanced age. Older people are more likely than others to suffer from musculoskeletal disorders. This is due to the physiological aging process, the exhaustion of the joints.
Important!Whatever the reason for the development of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, correct the problem immediately. Neglected cases are not suitable for conservative methods, surgical intervention is required.
Characteristic signs and symptoms
The progression of the disease symptoms can take years or even decades, but ultimately osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint leads to 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 cannot feel anything, or the symptoms are successfully disguised as simple fatigue.
If you experience any of the symptoms described below, see a doctor and correct the problem immediately.
The most common signs of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint are:
- Pains. Usually it is dull, seizures are felt at night or after physical exertion. Sometimes the pain syndrome manifests itself during a sharp change in weather;
- characteristic crunch. It is associated with the deposition of salts in the diseased joint. At first the sound is soft, over time it becomes clear, accompanied by pain;
- Motor skills difficulties. Patients find it difficult to cope with daily tasks, and over time it becomes more difficult to move the shoulder;
- Swelling. It is the result of the inflammatory process that marks the beginning of the course of osteoarthritis. There is also a hardening of the joint, a slight reddening of the skin around it.
Methods of treatment at home
How and how do you treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint? The initial stages of the disease are amenable to home therapy. Be sure to consult an experienced specialist beforehand and follow his recommendations. You can independently fall back on special methods that are used as auxiliary therapy for drug treatment, for physiotherapy.
There are many different techniques that can quickly cope with 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 yourself.
gymnastics
Special exercises are aimed at training muscles and restoring motor activity to the injured shoulder. All manipulations are carried out after consulting a doctor. To achieve the desired result, follow special rules:
- Savings regime is a requirement;
- do sports regularly. Even 10 minutes of gymnastics a day pays off with interest;
- While exercising, relax the muscles as much as possible, this aspect avoids injuries and micro-damage to the joints.
- low frequency of movement gives a quick result without injuries;
- Vibration amplitude - small (for safety reasons);
- gradually increase the load;
- Pain is an alarming signal. It is forbidden to drink painkillers for gymnastics. Take good care of the sore joint, do not overload it;
- Do all the manipulations in front of the mirror. So you can control the desired shoulder lift without exceeding the given limit;
- almost all exercises are performed sitting or lying down. An excellent option is water aerobics, it relieves the painful joint, training is extremely beneficial.
All of the above recommendations will help properly perform gymnastics and exercises for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint and prevent re-injury to the diseased area. Regular exercise will allow freedom of movement and return to a normal lifestyle.
Approximate training regimen (specific exercises should be discussed with your doctor):
- Sit on the sofa, gradually lowering and lifting your shoulders, the amplitude should not exceed 2 centimeters. Do not try to move only the sore shoulder, there is a high chance of damage, do all the exercises symmetrically.
- Sit on a flat surface, place your palms lightly on your knees, and slowly begin to swing your shoulders back and forth. Make sure to do the work on the shoulder blades and shoulder joint, it is not recommended to move your hands too much;
- Slowly rotate your shoulders clockwise and counterclockwise for two minutes, the range of motion shouldn't exceed two inches.
- Sit in a chair with your palms on your knees. Start moving backwards and gradually bend your elbows while not taking 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 gently, do the manipulations to the point of tolerable pain, it is strictly forbidden to overexert yourself;
- Put your feet shoulder width apart, take a small weight in your hand if the joint is sore (a bottle of water or a dumbbell weighing 0. 5 kg is sufficient). Bend forward slightly, start swinging the weight with your hand when the sensations are acceptable, then make circular motions to develop the sore joint.
The above exercises are simple, do not require special physical training, and can be performed by patients of all ages. If manipulations cause excruciating pain, give up gymnastics, consult a doctor, the situation may be so neglected that conservative methods will not have the desired effect.
Folk remedies and recipes
Traditional remedies for treating osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, which have long been used by healers, can still be used today, but only in addition to medically prescribed treatment.
Natural remedies sometimes have better analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects than conventional drugs.
However, it is impossible to completely refuse to take any medication. The orthopedist will tell you the basic rules for using folk remedies.
A wide range of recipes allows you to choose the ideal medicine for the treatment of osteoarthritis using folk remedies:
- an ointment based on propolis shows high effectiveness. Take 50 grams of pork fat, add three grams of propolis. Mix the finished mass well, use it for treatment and prevention (immediately after heavy physical exertion);
- the presence of an allergy to bee products forces patients with osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint to use an ointment based on medicinal herbs, for example, sweet clover, St. John's wort. Take 50 grams of petroleum jelly as a base, add 10 grams of each herbal component. Every day before bedtime, lubricate the affected area with the received drug, the duration of the course of therapy is determined by the attending physician;
- Oat compress. It has long been used to treat joint diseases of varying severity. Boil 30 grams of flakes in 400 ml of water, distribute the cooled mass evenly on the sore area and first lay it on clean cheesecloth. The duration of the procedure is 40 minutes, then the compress is removed, the shoulder is washed with warm water;
- excellent results are shown when rubbing with alcohol tinctures. Take 50 grams of dried alantroot and 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 agent improves blood circulation, restores the nutrient supply to the right level, which sets the regeneration processes in the joint in motion;
- Cabbage juice. Cabbage has been struggling with joint pain for a long time, stick a vegetable leaf to the painful joint, first hit something on it with a kitchen hammer until the healing juice is released. A useful compress is performed at night, regular procedures also cope with severe pain, relieve the condition in advanced cases.
Massotherapy
Self-massage improves blood circulation and restores the motor function of the affected shoulder. Light stroking, kneading and shaking is allowed. Strong movements are excluded, feel the border between a meaningful massage and damage to health on your own. Pre-training from an experienced specialist is best. In advanced stages, such a technique is prohibited, incorrect movements can irreparably damage the patient's health.
Special diet and nutrition rules
Diet plays an important role in strengthening the joints and begins with the regeneration of cartilage tissue. Rely on fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meats, legumes, fish. Eliminate the absorption of fatty foods, salty foods, fast foods and carbonated drinks in the body. Do not use semi-finished products, these products contain a lot of fats that have a negative effect on the general condition of a person.
Proper nutrition contributes to weight loss, which relieves the musculoskeletal system. An important role is played by the use of fermented milk products, the active ingredients of which saturate the bones with minerals and vitamins and strengthen the patient's joints. Proper nutrition has a positive 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 entirely possible to slow it down. Moderate physical activity, a proper diet, and regular check-ups by a therapist or orthopedic surgeon reduce the risk of osteoarthritis or delay it for some time.
Avoid injury, exercise gently, monitor your emotions. Any unpleasant symptoms are a signal to go to the doctor. A disease detected in time will respond well to treatment, it is possible to preserve the joint, which allows painless shoulder movement. Take care of your health, take care of the musculoskeletal system.