Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint (another name - osteoarthritis) is a disease characterized by damage to the joints in this area. The damaged joint is gradually destroyed, causing the patient not only pain, but also significantly limiting the movement of the hand.
Doctors recommend treating the early stages of the disease at home, taking large doses of drugs has a negative effect on the body, and folk remedies show excellent results without causing side effects. About home remedies for the disease, which will be discussed later.
Causes of the 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; The incidence of osteoarthritis in patients over 75 years is about 90%. The problem is related to age-related changes in the tissues, wear and tear of cartilage and joints.
Doctors identify several possible causes of shoulder osteoarthritis:
- genetic factor. Scientists tend to believe that some people who have relatives with arthrosis of the shoulder joints are more susceptible to a disease much more similar than those who do not have such family ties;
- autoimmune diseases. The body's defense system is a complex system, with failures leading to the aggressive destruction of its own cells, including the joints;
- excessive physical activity. Illness is often the result of professional sports activities;
- various injuries. Over time, even minor damage can have catastrophic consequences;
- circulatory disorders. Lack of nutrients adversely affects the function of the joint;
- advanced age. Older people suffer more from diseases of the musculoskeletal system. This is due to the process of physiological aging, depletion of the joints.
It is important!Whatever the cause of the appearance of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, solve the problem immediately. Unexplained cases do not lend themselves to conservative methods, and require surgical intervention.
Characteristic signs and symptoms
The progression of the symptoms of the disease can take years and even decades, but as a result, arthrosis of the shoulder joint causes inability to move the arm and severe pain.
The clinical picture of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is gradual. The course of the disease is long, the patient may not feel anything at the beginning of its development, or the symptoms are successfully disguised as simple fatigue.
If you see any of the symptoms described below, see a doctor immediately and resolve the problem immediately.
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is most often manifested by the following symptoms:
- painIt is usually dull, attacks are felt at night or after physical exertion. Sometimes the pain syndrome manifests itself during a sharp change in weather conditions;
- characteristic crisis. The patient is associated with the deposition of salts in the joint. At first the sound is quiet, over time it is accompanied by pain;
- difficulties in motor function. Patients find it difficult to perform daily tasks, and over time it becomes difficult to move the shoulder;
- swelling. It is the result of an inflammatory process, the beginning of the course of osteoarthritis. There is also a hardening of the joint, a slight redness of the skin around it.
Home remedies
How and when to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint? The initial stages of the disease are suitable for home treatment. Be sure to consult an experienced professional in advance and follow their recommendations. You can apply independently to the special methods used as adjunctive therapy for drug therapy, physiotherapy.
There are many different ways to quickly deal with pain syndrome, speed up the healing process and restore the mobility of the diseased joint. The required home treatment course is selected individually by an experienced specialist. Doctors do not recommend making such decisions alone.
Gymnastics
Special exercises are aimed at training the muscles and restoring motor function of the injured shoulder. All manipulations are performed after consulting a doctor. Follow special rules to get the desired result:
- saving mode is a condition;
- Exercise regularly. Only 10 minutes per day spent on gymnastics will pay interest;
- relax the muscles as much as possible during exercise, this will avoid joint damage and micro-damage;
- low frequency will provide a fast result without damage;
- swing amplitude - small (in terms of safety);
- gradually increase the load;
- pain is a frightening signal. It is forbidden to drink painkillers for gymnastics. Take good care of the painful joint, do not overload it;
- Follow all manipulations in front of the mirror. You can control the desired shoulder lift without exceeding the set limit;
- almost all exercises are performed while sitting or lying down. A perfect choice is water gymnastics, so the load is removed from the painful joint, exercise is extremely useful.
All of the above recommendations help to properly perform gymnastics and exercises for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, to prevent re-injury of the diseased area. Regular exercise will make it easier to move and return to a normal lifestyle.
Approximate training schedule (special exercises should be discussed with your doctor):
- sit on the couch, gradually lower and raise your shoulders, the amplitude should not exceed 2 centimeters. Do not try to move only the painful shoulders, the probability of injury is high, do all exercises symmetrically;
- Sit on a flat surface, rest your palms lightly on your knees, and slowly begin to push your shoulders back and forth. Make sure the work is done with shoulder blades and shoulder joints, it is not recommended to move your hands too much;
- slowly turn your shoulders clockwise and counterclockwise for two minutes, the range of motion should not exceed two centimeters;
- sit in a chair, put your palms on your knees. Gradually bend your elbows and begin to pull back, keeping your palms out of your knees. Repeat the exercises 20 times, start with 10 repetitions;
- put your palms on the back of your head, cross your arms. Bend your elbows gently and bend, do the manipulation to unbearable pain, it is strictly forbidden to overload yourself;
- put your feet shoulder-width apart, take a small weight in your hand with a painful joint (a glass of water or a dumbbell weighing 0. 5 kg will do). Lean forward a little, start to shake the weight with your hands, if the sensations are acceptable, make circular movements, developing a sore joint.
The above exercises are simple, do not require special physical training and can be done by patients of all ages. If any manipulation causes unbearable pain, refrain from gymnastics, consult a doctor, perhaps the situation is so indifferent that conservative methods do not give the desired effect.
Folk 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 in addition to the treatment prescribed by a doctor.
Natural remedies sometimes have better analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects than conventional drugs.
However, it is impossible to completely refuse to take medication, the orthopedist will explain to you the basic rules of using folk remedies.
A wide selection of recipes will allow you to choose for yourself the ideal drug for the treatment of osteoarthritis with folk remedies:
- High effectiveness is shown with propolis-based ointment. Take 50 grams of lard, add three grams of propolis. Mix the finished mass well, use as a treatment and prophylaxis (immediately after severe physical exertion);
- Allergy to bee products forces patients with arthrosis of the shoulder joint to use an ointment based on herbs, such as sweet clover, St. John's wort. Take 50 grams of essential oil gel, add 10 grams of each plant component. Lubricate the affected area with medication taken before bedtime every day, the duration of the course of treatment is determined by the attending physician;
- oatmeal compress. It has long been used in the treatment of joint diseases of varying severity. Boil 30 grams of flakes in 400 ml of water, distribute the cooled mass evenly over the wound area, first put on a clean bandage. 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 root, pour 125 ml of vodka. The resulting tincture is rubbed into the affected 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 required level, which initiates the regenerative processes in the joint;
- cabbage juice. Cabbage fights joint pain for a long time, paste a vegetable leaf on the wound, first beat a little with a kitchen hammer until the healing juice comes out. A useful compress is applied at night, regular procedures cope with severe pain, in advanced cases alleviate the situation.
Mass therapy
Self-massage increases blood flow, restores motor function of the affected shoulder. Light stroking, kneading, shaking are allowed. Strong movements are excluded, feel the difference between a useful massage and harm to health. The best option is initial training with an experienced specialist. In advanced stages, such a technique is prohibited, as incorrect movement can cause irreparable damage to the patient's health.
Special diet and nutrition rules
Nutrition plays an important role in strengthening joints and initiating the regeneration of cartilage tissue. Lean on fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meats, legumes, fish. Eliminate fatty foods, salty foods, fast food and fizzy drinks. Avoid semi-finished products, these products contain a lot of fat, which has a negative impact on the general condition of the person.
Eating a proper diet helps to reduce weight, which reduces the load on the musculoskeletal system. The use of fermented dairy products plays an important role, the active ingredients in it saturate the bones with minerals and vitamins, strengthen the patient's joints. Proper nutrition has a beneficial effect on the functioning 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 nutrition, and regular check-ups by a therapist or orthopedist will reduce the chances of osteoarthritis or delay its appearance for a while.
Avoid injury, exercise gently, watch your feelings. Any unpleasant symptoms are a signal to go to the doctor. Timely detection of the disease responds well to treatment, it is possible to protect the joint, which provides painless shoulder movement. Pay attention to your health, musculoskeletal system.