Arthrosis of the shoulder joint (also known as omarthrosis) is a disease characterized by damage to the joint in this area. The injured joint is gradually destroyed, not only causing pain to the patient, but also significantly restricting the movement of the hand as a whole.
Doctors recommend treating the initial stages of the disease at home, consuming large amounts of medication has a detrimental effect on the body, while folk remedies show excellent results without causing side effects. These will be home methods of combating the disease, which we will discuss further.
Causes of the disease
In most cases, the elderly suffer from osteoarthritis. According to statistics, about 10% of people under the age of 65 have the disease, and the incidence of arthrosis in patients over the age of 75 is about 90%. This aspect is related to changes in tissues, cartilage, joints, and age.
Doctors identify several possible causes of the shoulder joint:
- genetic factor. Scientists tend to believe that some people who have relatives with shoulder arthrosis are more likely to have a similar illness than those who do not have such family ties;
- autoimmune disease. The defense of the body is a complex system, the failure of its work causes the 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 damages can lead to catastrophic consequences over time;
- circulatory disorders. Lack of nutrients adversely affects joint function;
- high age. The elderly are more likely than others to suffer from musculoskeletal disorders. The reason for this is the physiological aging process, the exhaustion of the joints.
Important!Whatever the cause of the appearance of arthrosis of the shoulder joint, treat the problem immediately. Neglected cases are not suitable for conservative methods, surgery is required.
Typical signs and symptoms
The progression of the symptoms of the disease 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 shoulder joint arthrosis appears gradually. The course of the disease is long, at the beginning of its development the patient may not feel anything or successfully disguise the symptoms as simple fatigue.
If you notice any of the symptoms described below, see your doctor and treat the problem immediately.
Shoulder joint osteoarthritis is most commonly indicated by the following signs:
- pain. It is usually boring, the attacks can be felt at night or after physical exertion. Sometimes pain syndrome manifests itself during a sharp change in weather conditions;
- characteristic crackling. This is related to the deposition of salts in the diseased joint. Initially, the voice becomes soft, discernible over time, accompanied by pain;
- motor operating difficulties. Patients find it difficult to cope with daily tasks, over time it becomes more difficult to move the shoulder;
- swelling. This is the result of an inflammatory process, the beginning of the course of arthrosis. In addition, the joint hardens, with a slight redness of the surrounding skin.
Home treatment methods
How and how to treat shoulder joint arthrosis? The initial stages of the disease are suitable for home therapy. Be sure to consult an experienced professional beforehand and follow his recommendations. You can independently resort to special methods that are used as adjunctive therapy to medication, physiotherapy.
There are many different techniques that can quickly cope with pain syndrome, speed up the healing process, and restore patient joint mobility. The required course of home therapy is individually selected by an experienced professional. Doctors do not recommend that you make such decisions on your own.
Gymnastics
The purpose of special exercises is to train the muscles and restore the motor activity of the injured shoulder. All manipulations are performed after consultation with your doctor. Follow the special rules to achieve the desired result:
- a prerequisite for a savings system;
- Regular exercise. Only 10 minutes of gymnastics per day is interest;
- during exercise, relax the muscles as much as possible, this aspect avoids joint injuries and micro-fractures;
- low frequency movements provide fast results without injury;
- oscillation amplitude - small (for safety reasons);
- gradually increase the load;
- pain alarm sign. It is forbidden to drink gymnastic painkillers. Take care of the sore joint, do not overload it;
- perform all manipulations in front of the mirror. This allows you to control the desired shoulder lift without exceeding the specified limit;
- almost all exercises are performed in a sitting or lying position. Water gymnastics is an excellent option, so the load is removed from the sore joint, the workout is extremely beneficial.
Each of the above recommendations will help you perform gymnastics and exercises correctly to treat shoulder joint arthrosis, preventing re-injury to the diseased area. Regular exercises facilitate movement, return to a normal lifestyle.
Approximate training plan (specific 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 just move the sore shoulder, there is a high probability of injury, perform all exercises symmetrically;
- sit on a flat surface, rest your palms lightly on your knees, slowly begin to swing your shoulders forward and backward. Be sure to work with the shoulder blades and shoulder joint, it is not recommended to move your hand too much;
- slowly rotate your shoulders clockwise and for two minutes, the range of motion should not exceed two centimeters;
- sit in a chair, put your palms on your knees. Start stepping back, 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. Smoothly bring and spread your elbows, perform manipulations to bearable pain, it is strictly forbidden to overdo yourself;
- put your feet shoulder-width apart, take a small weight in your hand with a sore joint (a bottle of water or a barbell weighing 0. 5 kg will do). Lean forward slightly, start swinging the weight with your hands if the feelings are acceptable, and then develop the sore joint in circular motions.
The above exercises are simple, do not require special physical training, and can be performed by patients of any age. If any manipulation causes unbearable pain, stop gymnastics, see a doctor, perhaps the situation is so neglected that conservative methods do not achieve the desired effect.
Folk remedies and recipes
Traditional treatments for shoulder joint arthrosis, which have long been used by healers, can still be used today, but only as an adjunct to treatment prescribed by a doctor.
Natural remedies sometimes have a better analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect than traditional medicines.
But it is impossible to completely refuse to take 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 arthrosis itself with folk remedies:
- propolis-based ointment is highly effective. Take 50 grams of lard, add three grams of propolis. Mix the finished mass well, use it as a treatment and prevention (immediately after severe physical exertion);
- the presence of an allergy to beekeeping products forces patients with arthrosis of the shoulder joint to use herbal ointments such as sweet clover, St. John’s wort. Take 50 grams of Vaseline based and add 10 grams of each herbal ingredient. Lubricate the affected area with the received medicine daily before going to bed, the duration of therapy is determined by your doctor;
- 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 spot, first applying to clean gauze. The duration of the procedure is 40 minutes, then the compress is removed, the shoulders are washed with warm water;
- rubbing with alcoholic tinctures shows excellent results. Take 50 grams of dried elecampane root, pour 125 ml of vodka. Rub the resulting tincture up to five times a day on the affected areas of the shoulder. In addition to the analgesic effect, the drug improves blood circulation, restores the supply of nutrients to the right level, which initiates regenerative processes in the joint;
- cabbage juice. Cabbage has long been able to cope with joint pain, attach a vegetable leaf to the sore joint, beat it first with a little kitchen hammer until the healing juice is released. They perform useful compression at night, regular procedures even cope with severe pain, relieving the condition in advanced cases.
Massotherapy
Self-massage improves blood flow, restores the motor function of the affected shoulder. Light caressing, kneading, shaking are allowed. Strong movements are excluded, feel the line between a useful massage and damage to health. The best solution is pre-training with an experienced professional. In advanced stages, such a technique is prohibited, improper movement can cause irreparable damage to the patient's health.
Special diet and nutrition rules
Nutrition plays an important role in strengthening joints, initiating cartilage tissue regeneration. Rely on fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meats, legumes, fish. Eliminate your intake of fatty foods, salty foods, fast food and carbonated drinks from your body. Give up semi-finished products, these products contain a lot of fat, which negatively affects a person's general condition.
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 them saturate the bones with minerals and vitamins, strengthen the patient's joints. Proper nutrition has a beneficial effect on the work of all human organs and systems.
Osteoarthritis most commonly occurs in the context of age-related changes in the shoulder joint. It is impossible to stop the aging process, but to slow it down completely. Moderate physical activity, proper nutrition, regular examination by a therapist or orthopedist will reduce the chances of arthrosis or delay its onset for a while.
Avoid injuries, exercise gently, watch your feelings. Any unpleasant symptoms indicate that you need to see a doctor. The disease detected in time responds well to treatment, it is possible to preserve the joint, which provides painless shoulder movement. Take care of your health, take care of your musculoskeletal system.