Arthrosis of the shoulder joint (another name - omarthrosis) is a disease characterized by damage to the joint in this area. The damaged joint is gradually destroyed, causing the patient not only pain but also significantly restricting the movement of the hand as a whole.
Doctors recommend treating the early stages of the disease at home, consuming a large amount of medication harms the body, while folk remedies have excellent results without causing side effects. It is about the at-home methods of fighting the disease that will be discussed later.
Causes of disease
In most cases, elderly people suffer from osteoarthritis. According to statistics, about 10% of people under the age of 65 suffer from an illness; in patients over 75 years of age, the incidence of arthrosis is around 90%. Appearance is associated with age-related changes in tissue, cartilage, joint wear.
Doctors identify several possible causes of shoulder arthrosis:
- genetic factor. Scientists tend to believe that some people who have relatives with arthrosis of the shoulder joints are susceptible to a similar disease many times more than people who don't have these family ties;
- autoimmune diseases. The body's defenses are a complex system; failures in their work provoke aggressive destruction of their own cells, including joints;
- excessive physical activity. The illness is usually the result of professional sporting activities;
- multiple injuries. Even minor damage over time can lead to disastrous consequences;
- circulatory disorders. Lack of nutrients negatively affects joint function;
- advanced age. Elderly people suffer more often than others from diseases of the musculoskeletal system. This is due to the physiological aging process, the depletion of joints.
Important!Whatever the reason for the appearance of arthrosis of the shoulder joint, treat the problem immediately. Neglected cases do not lend themselves to conservative methods, requiring surgical intervention.
Characteristic signs and symptoms
The progression of disease symptoms can take years or even decades, but ultimately arthrosis of the shoulder joint leads to an inability to move the arm and severe pain.
The clinical picture of arthrosis of the shoulder joint gradually appears. 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 tiredness.
If you notice any of the symptoms described below, see a doctor and have the problem resolved immediately.
Arthrosis of the shoulder joint is most often indicated by the following signs:
- pain. It is usually dull, attacks are felt at night or after physical exertion. Sometimes the pain syndrome manifests itself during a sudden change in weather conditions;
- Characteristic crunchy. It is associated with the deposition of salts in the diseased joint. Initially, the sound is low, with time it becomes distinct, accompanied by pain;
- difficulties with motor function. It is difficult for patients to handle 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 course of arthrosis. There is also a stiffening of the joint, a slight redness of the surrounding skin.
Home Treatment Methods
How and how to treat arthrosis of the shoulder joint? The early stages of the disease are amenable to home therapy. Before, consult an experienced specialist and follow their recommendations. You can independently resort to special methods that are used as adjunct 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.
Fitness
Special exercises aim to train the muscles, restoring motor activity to the injured shoulder. All manipulations are carried out after consultation with a doctor. To get the desired result, follow the special rules:
- economy regime is a prerequisite;
- exercise regularly. Just 10 minutes a day spent on gym will pay off with interest;
- during exercise, relax the muscles as much as possible, this aspect will prevent injuries and microdamage to the joints;
- the low frequency of movements will provide a quick result without injuries;
- swing amplitude - small (for safety reasons);
- gradually increase the load;
- pain is an alarming sign. It is forbidden to drink painkillers for gymnastics. Take good care of the painful joint, don't 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 in a sitting or lying position. An excellent option is water aerobics, so the load is removed from the painful joint, training is extremely beneficial.
All of the above recommendations help in the correct performance of gymnastics and exercises for the treatment of arthrosis of the shoulder joint, preventing further injuries to the diseased area. Regular exercise will give you ease of movement, you will return to a normal lifestyle.
Approximate training schedule (specific exercises should be discussed with your doctor):
- Sit on the sofa, gradually lower and lift your shoulders, the width should not exceed 2 centimeters. Don't try to move only the painful shoulder, there is a high probability of injury, do all exercises symmetrically;
- Sit on a flat surface, rest your palms lightly on your knees, and begin swaying your shoulders slowly back and forth. Make sure the work is done with the shoulder blades and shoulder joint, it is not advisable to move your hands too much;
- slowly rotate your shoulders clockwise and against for two minutes, the range of motion should not exceed two centimeters;
- sit on a chair, place your palms on your knees. Begin to move backwards, gradually bending your elbows, without taking your palms off your knees. Repeat exercise 20 times, start with 10 reps;
- place your palms behind your neck, cross your arms. Bring and gently spread your elbows, make the manipulations until the pain is bearable, it is strictly forbidden to exert yourself too much;
- spread your feet shoulder-width apart, hold a small weight in your hand with a painful joint (a bottle of water or a dumbbell weighing 0. 5 kg is sufficient). Lean forward slightly, begin to balance the weight with your hand if the sensations are acceptable, then make a circular motion, developing the painful joint.
The exercises above are simple, do not require special physical training and can be performed by patients of any age. If any manipulation brings unbearable pain, give up gymnastics, go to the doctor, perhaps the situation is so neglected that conservative methods do not have the desired effect.
Popular Remedies and Recipes
Traditional remedies for the treatment of arthrosis 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 medications.
But it is impossible to completely reject the use of medications, the orthopedist will explain the basic rules for the use of folk remedies.
A wide selection of recipes will allow you to choose the right medication for you to treat arthrosis with folk remedies:
- the high efficiency is demonstrated by the propolis-based ointment. Take 50 grams of pork fat, add three grams of propolis. Mix the finished dough well, use it as a treatment and prevention (immediately after major physical exertion);
- the presence of an allergy to bee products forces patients with arthrosis of the shoulder joint to use an ointment based on medicinal herbs, eg sweet clover, St. John's wort. Take 50 grams of petroleum jelly as a base and add 10 grams of each herbal component. Lubricate the affected area with the medicine received daily before bedtime, the duration of the course of therapy is determined by the treating 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, evenly distribute the cooled mass over the wound, placing first on a clean gauze. The procedure lasts 40 minutes, after which 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 dye into the damaged areas of the shoulder up to five times a day. In addition to the analgesic effect, the drug improves blood circulation, restores the supply of nutrients to the proper level, which initiates the regenerative processes in the joint;
- cabbage juice. Cabbage has long struggled with joint pain, so place a vegetable leaf on the painful joint and first tap it a little with a kitchen hammer until the healing juice is released. A useful compress is performed at night, regular procedures deal even with severe pain, alleviate the condition in advanced cases.
massage therapy
Self-massage increases blood flow, restores motor function in the affected shoulder. It is allowed to caress, knead and shake lightly. Strong movements are excluded, feel for yourself the line between a helpful massage and harm to health. The best option is preliminary training with an experienced specialist. In advanced stages, this technique is prohibited, incorrect movements can cause irreparable damage to the patient's health.
Special diet and nutritional rules
Nutrition plays an important role in strengthening joints, initiating cartilage tissue regeneration. Eat fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meats, vegetables, fish. Eliminate the intake of fatty foods, salty foods, fast food and carbonated beverages in the body. Give up semi-finished products, these products contain a lot of fats that negatively affect a person's general condition.
Eating the right diet helps to reduce weight, which reduces the load on the musculoskeletal system. An important role is played by the use of fermented dairy products, whose active substances saturate the bones with minerals and vitamins, strengthening the patient's joints. Proper nutrition has a beneficial effect on the functioning of all human organs and systems.
Osteoarthritis most often occurs in the context of age-related changes in the shoulder joint. It is impossible to stop the aging process, but it is perfectly possible to slow it down. Moderate physical activity, proper nutrition, regular examinations by a therapist or orthopedist reduce the chances of osteoarthritis or delay its onset for some time.
Avoid injuries, exercise gently, monitor your feelings. Any unpleasant symptoms are a sign to see the doctor. A disease detected in a timely manner responds well to treatment, it is possible to preserve the joint, which provides movement of the shoulder without pain. Take care of your health, take care of the musculoskeletal system.