Arthrosis of the shoulder joint (another name - omarthrosis) is a disease characterized by damage to the joint in this area. The damaged joint gradually collapses, delivering the patient not only pain, but also significantly restricts the movement of the arm as a whole.
Doctors recommend treating the initial stages of the disease at home, the consumption of a large amount of medicines has a detrimental effect on the body, while folk remedies show excellent results without causing side effects. It is about the home methods of dealing with the disease that will be discussed later.
Causes of the disease
In most cases, the elderly suffer from osteoarthritis. According to statistics, about 10% of people under 65 suffer from an ailment, in patients over 75 years of age, the incidence of arthrosis is about 90%. The aspect is associated with age-related changes in tissues, cartilage, wear and tear of joints.
Doctors identify several possible causes of shoulder arthrosis:
- genetic factor. Scientists are inclined to believe that some people who have relatives with arthrosis of the shoulder joints are susceptible to a similar ailment many times more than people who do not have such family ties;
- autoimmune diseases. The body's defenses are a complex system, failures in its work provoke aggressive destruction of its own cells, including joints;
- excessive physical activity. The disease is often the result of professional sports activities;
- various injuries. Even small damage over time can lead to disastrous consequences;
- circulatory disorders. Lack of nutrients adversely affects the functioning of the joint;
- advanced age. Elderly people are more likely to suffer from ailments of the musculoskeletal system. This is due to the physiological aging process, the depletion of the joints.
Important!Whatever the reason for the appearance of arthrosis of the shoulder joint, immediately address the problem. Neglected cases do not lend themselves to conservative methods, surgical intervention is required.
Characteristic 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 inability to move the arm and severe pain.
The clinical picture of arthrosis of the shoulder joint appears gradually. 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 fatigue.
If you notice any of the symptoms described below, visit a doctor, immediately address the problem.
Arthrosis of the shoulder joint is most often indicated by the following signs:
- pain. Usually it is dull, attacks are felt at night or after physical exertion. Sometimes the pain syndrome manifests itself during a sharp change in weather conditions;
- characteristic crunch. It is associated with the deposition of salts in the diseased joint. Initially, the sound is quiet, with time it becomes distinct, accompanied by pain;
- difficulties with motor function. Patients find it difficult to cope with daily duties, 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 hardening of the joint, slight redness of the skin around it.
Home treatment methods
How and how to treat arthrosis of the shoulder joint? The initial stages of the disease are amenable to home therapy. Beforehand, be sure to consult with an experienced specialist, follow his recommendations. You can independently resort to special methods that are used as an auxiliary therapy to drug treatment, physiotherapy.
There are many different techniques that quickly cope with pain syndrome, accelerate 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 on their own.
Gymnastics
Special exercises are aimed at training muscles, restoring the motor activity of the injured shoulder. All manipulations are carried out after consultation with a doctor. To get the desired result, follow special rules:
- sparing regime is a prerequisite;
- exercise regularly. Just 10 minutes a day spent on gymnastics will pay off with interest;
- during exercise, relax the muscles as much as possible, this aspect will avoid injuries and microdamages of the joints;
- low frequency of movements will provide a quick result without injury;
- swing 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 specified limit;
- almost all exercises are performed in a sitting or lying position. An excellent option is water gymnastics, thus, the load is removed from the sore joint, training is extremely beneficial.
All of the above recommendations help to correctly perform gymnastics and exercises for the treatment of arthrosis of the shoulder joint, prevent re-injury of the diseased area. Regular exercises will give ease of movement, return to a normal lifestyle.
Approximate training scheme (specific exercises should be discussed with your doctor):
- sit on the sofa, gradually lower and raise your shoulders, the amplitude should not exceed 2 centimeters. Do not try to move only the sore shoulder, there is a high probability of damage to it, do all the exercises symmetrically;
- sit on a flat surface, rest your palms lightly on your knees, start slowly swinging your shoulders back and forth. Make sure that the work is done with the shoulder blades and shoulder joint, it is not recommended 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 back, gradually bending your elbows, while you should not take your palms off your knees. Repeat the exercise 20 times, start with 10 repetitions;
- place your palms on the back of your head, cross your arms. Smoothly bring and spread your elbows, do the manipulations until bearable pain, it is strictly forbidden to overexert yourself;
- put your feet shoulder-width apart, take a small weight in your hand with a sore joint (a bottle of water or a dumbbell weighing 0. 5 kg will do). Bend forward slightly, start swinging the weight with your hand, if the sensations are acceptable, then make circular movements, developing the sore joint.
The above exercises are simple, do not require special physical training, and can be performed by patients of any age. If any manipulations bring unbearable pain, give up gymnastics, visit a doctor, perhaps the situation is so neglected that conservative methods do not have the desired effect.
Folk remedies and recipes
Folk 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 medicines.
But it is impossible to completely reject taking medications, the orthopedist will tell you the basic rules for using folk remedies.
A wide selection of recipes will allow you to choose the ideal medicinal product for yourself for the treatment of arthrosis with folk remedies:
- high efficiency is shown by propolis-based ointment. Take 50 grams of pork fat, add three grams of propolis. Mix the finished mass well, use it as a treatment and prevention (immediately after serious 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, for example, sweet clover, St. John's wort. Take 50 grams of petroleum jelly as a base, add 10 grams of each herbal component. Lubricate the affected area with the received drug daily before bedtime, 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 over the sore spot, first placing it on clean gauze. 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 roots, 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 remedy improves blood circulation, restores the supply of nutrients to the proper level, which starts the regenerative processes in the joint;
- cabbage juice. Cabbage has long been coping with joint pain, attach a leaf of vegetable to the sore joint, first beat it a little with a kitchen hammer until the healing juice is released. A useful compress is carried out at night, regular procedures cope even with severe pain, relieve the condition in advanced cases.
Massotherapy
Self-massage enhances blood flow, restores the motor function of the affected shoulder. Light stroking, kneading, shaking are allowed. Strong movements are excluded, feel on your own the line between a useful massage and harm to health. The best option is preliminary training with an experienced specialist. In advanced stages, such a technique is prohibited, incorrect movement can cause irreparable damage to the patient's health.
Special diet and nutritional rules
Nutrition plays an important role in strengthening joints, starting the regeneration of cartilaginous tissues. Lean on fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meats, legumes, fish. Eliminate the intake of fatty foods, salty foods, fast food and carbonated drinks into the body. Give up semi-finished products, these products contain a lot of fats that negatively affect the general condition of a person.
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 milk products, the active substances in them saturate the bones with minerals and vitamins, strengthening the patient's joints. Proper nutrition has a beneficial 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 quite possible to slow it down. Moderate physical activity, proper nutrition, regular examination by a therapist or orthopedist will reduce the chances of arthrosis or delay its appearance for some time.
Avoid injury, exercise gently, monitor your feelings. Any unpleasant symptoms are a signal to go to the doctor. A timely detected ailment responds well to treatment, it is possible to preserve the joint, which provides painless shoulder movement. Take care of your health, take care of the musculoskeletal system.