Arthritis 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, transferring to 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 large amounts of drugs has a detrimental effect on the body, while folk remedies show excellent results without causing side effects. These are home remedies that will be discussed 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 suffer from the disease; in patients over the age of 75, the incidence of arthritis is about 90%. Appearance is associated with age-related changes in tissues, cartilage, joint wear.
Doctors identify several possible causes of shoulder arthritis:
- genetic factor. Scientists tend to believe that some people who have relatives with arthritis of the shoulder joints are many times more prone to a similar condition than people who do not have such family ties.
- autoimmune disease. The body's defenses are a complex system, failures in its work cause aggressive destruction of its own cells, including the joints.
- excessive physical activity. Illness is often the result of professional sports activities.
- various injuries. Even minor damage over time can lead to catastrophic consequences.
- circulatory disorders. Lack of nutrients negatively affects the function of the joint.
- advanced age. The elderly more often than others suffer from diseases of the musculoskeletal system. This is due to the normal aging process, to the exhaustion of the joints.
Great!Whatever the cause of the arthritis of the shoulder joint, deal with the problem immediately. Neglected cases are not suitable for conservative methods, surgery is required.
Characteristic signs and symptoms
The development of the symptoms of the disease can take years or even decades, but eventually arthritis of the shoulder joint leads to inability to move the arm and severe pain.
The clinical picture of arthritis of the shoulder joint appears gradually. The course of the disease is long, at the beginning of its development, the patient may feel nothing or the symptoms are successfully disguised as simple fatigue.
If you notice any of the symptoms described below, see a doctor, treat the problem immediately.
The shoulder joint is most often indicated by the following signs:
- pain. It is usually dull, the attacks are felt at night or after physical exercise. Sometimes the pain syndrome manifests itself during a sudden change in weather conditions.
- typical crisis. It is associated with the deposition of salts in the diseased joint. Initially, the sound is quiet, over time it becomes distinct, accompanied by pain.
- difficulties in engine operation. It is difficult for patients to cope with daily obligations, 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 arthritis. There is also hardening of the joint, slight redness of the skin around it.
Home remedies
How and how to deal with arthritis of the shoulder joint? The early stages of the disease can be treated at home. Beforehand, be sure to consult an experienced specialist, follow his recommendations. You can independently resort to special methods used as adjunctive therapy in medication, physiotherapy.
There are many different techniques that quickly treat pain syndrome, speed up the healing process and restore mobility to the diseased joint. The required course of treatment at home is selected separately by an experienced specialist. Doctors do not recommend making such decisions on their own.
Gymnastics
Special exercises aim at muscle training, restoring the motor activity of the injured shoulder. All manipulations are performed after consulting a doctor. To get the desired result, follow special rules:
- frugal regime is a prerequisite.
- Exercise regularly. Only 10 minutes a day you spend in the gym will pay off with interest.
- during exercise, relax the muscles as much as possible, this aspect will avoid injuries and minor injuries to the joints.
- the low frequency of movements will offer a quick result without injury.
- swing width - small (for safety reasons).
- gradually increase the load.
- pain is a worrying signal. It is forbidden to use painkillers for exercise. Take good care of the wound, do not overload it.
- does all the manipulations in front of the mirror. Thus, you can control the desired shoulder lift without exceeding the set limit.
- almost all exercises are performed in a sitting or lying position. An excellent option is water exercise, therefore, the load is removed from the painful joint, training is extremely beneficial.
All of the above recommendations help in the proper execution of gymnastics and exercises for the treatment of arthritis of the shoulder joint, preventing re-injury of the affected area. Regular exercises will give ease of movement, return to a normal lifestyle.
Approximate training program (specific exercises should be discussed with your doctor):
- Sit on the couch, gradually lower and raise your shoulders, the width should not exceed 2 cm. Do not try to move only the sore shoulder, there is a high chance of damage to it, do all the exercises symmetrically.
- Sit on a flat surface, rest your palms slightly on your knees, slowly start moving your shoulders back and forth. Make sure the work is done with the shoulders and the shoulder joint, it is not recommended to move your arms too much.
- slowly rotate your shoulders clockwise and vice versa for two minutes, the range of motion should not exceed two centimeters.
- sit in a chair, place your palms on your knees. Start moving backwards, gradually bending your elbows, while you should not take 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 smoothly, do the manipulations until the unbearable pain, over-effort is strictly forbidden.
- put your feet shoulder width apart, take a small weight in your hand with a joint wound (a bottle of water or a dumbbell weighing 0. 5 kg will do). Bend slightly forward, start shaking the weight with your hand, if the senses are acceptable, then make circular motions, developing the aching joint.
The above exercises are simple, do not require special physical exercise and can be performed by patients of any age. If any manipulations bring unbearable pain, leave the gym, visit a doctor, maybe the condition is neglected so much that conservative methods do not have the desired effect.
Folk remedies and recipes
The traditional remedies for treating arthritis of the shoulder joint, which have long been used by therapists, can still be used today, but only as a supplement 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 refuse medication, the orthopedist will tell you the basic rules for using folk remedies.
A wide variety of recipes will allow you to choose the ideal medication for yourself for the treatment of arthritis with folk remedies:
- High yield is proven by an ointment based on propolis. Take 50 grams of pork fat, add three grams of propolis. Mix the final mass well, use it as a treatment and prevention (immediately after strenuous physical exercise).
- The presence of allergies to bee products forces patients with arthritis of the shoulder joint to use an ointment based on medicinal herbs, for example, sweet clover, balsam. Take 50 grams of Vaseline as a base, add 10 grams of each herbal ingredient. Lubricate the affected area with the medication taken daily before bedtime, the duration of the course of treatment is determined by the treating physician.
- oat compress. It has long been used to treat diseases of the joints of varying severity. Boil 30 grams of flakes in 400 ml of water, distribute the cooled mass evenly on the sore spot, placing it first on clean gauze. The duration of the procedure is 40 minutes, then the compression is removed, the shoulder is washed with warm water.
- Excellent results are seen by rubbing with alcohol tinctures. Take 50 grams of dried elecampane roots, pour 125 ml of vodka. Rub the resulting tincture on 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 at the right level, which initiates regenerative processes in the joint.
- cabbage juice. Cabbage has long been dealing with joint pain, attach a vegetable leaf to the joint, first beat it a little with a kitchen hammer until the healing juice is released. A useful compress is performed at night, regular procedures treat even severe pain, relieve the condition in advanced cases.
Masotherapy
The self-massage enhances blood flow, restores the motor function of the affected shoulder. Light caresses, kneading, shaking are allowed. Excessive movements are excluded, feel for yourself the line between a useful massage and damage to health. The best option is the preliminary training with an experienced specialist. In advanced stages, such a technique is prohibited, the wrong movement can cause irreparable damage to the patient's health.
Special rules of nutrition and nutrition
Nutrition plays an important role in strengthening the joints, starting the regeneration of cartilage tissues. Rely on fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meats, legumes, fish. Eliminate fatty foods, salty foods, fast food and carbonated beverages from the body. Leave out the unfinished products, these products contain a lot of fat that negatively affects the general condition of a person.
Proper nutrition helps to reduce weight, which reduces the load on the musculoskeletal system. An important role is played by the use of fermented dairy products, the active substances contained in them adorn 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 in the context 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 arthritis or delay its onset for some time.
Avoid injuries, exercise gently, watch your emotions. Any unpleasant symptoms are a signal to go to the doctor. An early detected disease responds well to treatment, it is possible to maintain the joint, which provides painless movement of the shoulders. Take care of your health, take care of the musculoskeletal system.