Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint (another name - Omarthrosis) is a disease characterized by joint damage in this area. The damaged joint is gradually destroyed and delivers not only pain to the patient but also significantly restricts hand movement completely.
Doctors recommend treating the early stages of the disease at home, consuming large amounts of medications has a detrimental effect on the body, while folk remedies show excellent results without causing side effects. This is 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 have the disease; The incidence of osteoarthritis in patients older than 75 years is approximately 90%. The aspect is associated with age-related changes in tissues, cartilage, joint wear and tear.
Doctors identify several possible causes of osteoarthritis of the shoulder:
- Genetic factor. Scientists are inclined to believe that some people who have relatives with osteoarthritis of the shoulder joints are susceptible to a similar disease many times more than people who do not have such family ties;
- Autoimmune diseases. The body's defense is a complex system, failures in its work lead to the aggressive destruction of its own cells, including the joints;
- Excessive physical activity. The disease is often the result of professional sports activities;
- Different types of injuries. Even minor damage over time can lead to catastrophic consequences;
- Circulatory disorders. Lack of nutrients negatively affects the functioning of the joint;
- Advanced age. Older people are more likely than others to suffer from diseases of the musculoskeletal system. This is caused by the process of physiological aging, depletion of joints.
ᲛImportant!Whatever the cause of the arthrosis of the shoulder joint, address the problem immediately. Neglected cases do not allow conservative methods, surgical intervention is required.
Characteristic signs and symptoms
Progression of the symptoms of the disease can take years or decades, but eventually arthrosis of the shoulder joint causes inability to move the arm and severe pain.
The clinical picture of osteoarthritis 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 may be successfully masked by simple fatigue.
If you notice any of the symptoms described below, see your doctor and resolve the issue immediately.
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is most often marked by the following signs:
- Painfully, it is dull, the attacks are felt at night or after physical exertion. Sometimes the pain syndrome is manifested by a sharp change in weather conditions;
- Characteristic crisis. It is associated with the deposition of salts in the diseased joint. At first, the voice is calm, over time it becomes clear, accompanied by pain;
- Difficulties with motor function. Patients find it difficult to perform daily duties, 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. There is also a hardening of the joint, a slight redness of the skin around it.
Home treatment methods
How and how to treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint? The initial stages of the disease are served by home therapy. In advance, be sure to consult an experienced specialist, follow his recommendations. You can independently apply the special methods used as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of drugs, for physiotherapy.
There are many different techniques that can quickly deal with pain syndrome, speed up the healing process, and restore mobility in a diseased joint. The required course of home therapy is individually selected by an experienced specialist. Doctors do not recommend making such decisions independently.
In gymnastics
Special exercises are aimed at training the muscles, restoring 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:
- Saving mode is a prerequisite;
- Exercise regularly. Only 10 minutes a day spent in gymnastics will pay interest;
- Relax your muscles as much as possible during exercise, this aspect will prevent joint injuries and micro-injuries;
- Low frequency of movements ensures fast results without damage;
- Swing amplitude - small (for safety);
- Gradually increase the load;
- Pain is an alarm signal. It is forbidden to drink gymnastic painkillers. Take good care of the painful 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 set limit;
- Almost all exercises are performed in a sitting or lying position. An excellent option in water gymnastics, thus, the load is removed from the painful joint, the exercise is very beneficial.
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 give you ease of movement, you will return to a normal lifestyle.
Probable training scheme (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 move only the painful shoulder, there is a high probability of its injury, perform all the exercises symmetrically;
- Sit on a flat surface, knees slightly bent at the knees, begin to slowly turn your shoulders back and forth. Make sure the work is done with the shoulder blades and the shoulder joint, it is not recommended to move the hands too much;
- Slowly turn your shoulders clockwise and for two minutes, the range of motion should not exceed two centimeters;
- Sit on a chair, put your hands on your knees. Begin to retreat, gradually bending the elbows while not bending the elbows. Repeat the exercise 20 times, starting with 10 repetitions;
- Place your hands on the back of your head, crossing your arms. Bend and unfold your elbows smoothly, do manipulations until the pain is unbearable, it is strictly forbidden to overload yourself;
- Place your feet shoulder-width apart, lift a small weight with a sore joint in your hand (a water bottle or dumbbell weighing 0. 5 kg). Slightly lean forward, start lifting weights by hand, if sensations are acceptable, then make circular movements, develop a painful joint.
The above exercises are simple, do not require special physical training and can be performed for patients of any age. If any manipulation has brought unbearable pain, refuse gymnastics, visit a doctor, perhaps the situation is so neglected that conservative methods do not have the desired effect.
Folk remedies and recipes
Traditional remedies for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder, which have long been used by therapists, can still be used today, but only as an adjunct to treatment prescribed by a doctor.
Natural remedies sometimes give 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 of using folk remedies.
A wide selection of recipes will allow you to choose the ideal medicinal product for the treatment of osteoarthritis with folk remedies:
- High efficacy has been shown with propolis-based ointments. Take 50 grams of pork fat, add three grams of propolis. Mix the finished mass well, use as a treatment and prophylaxis (after serious physical activity);
- The presence of allergies to bee products forces patients with osteoarthritis of the shoulder to use ointments based on medicinal plants, for example, sweet clover, St. John's wort. Take 50 grams of oil jelly as a base, add 10 grams of each herbal component. Lubricate the affected area with the medication taken daily before bedtime, the duration of the therapy course is determined by the attending physician;
- Oatmeal 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, first place on clean gas. 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 lubricating alcohol stains. Take 50 grams of dried elecampane roots, pour 125 ml of vodka. Rub the obtained tincture on the damaged areas of the shoulder five times a day. In addition to the analgesic effect, the drug improves blood circulation, restores nutrients to proper levels, which initiates regenerative processes in the joint;
- Cabbage juice. Cabbage has long been able to cope with joint pain, attach a vegetable leaf to a sore joint, first beat a little with a kitchen hammer until the healing juice comes out. A useful compress is applied at night, regular procedures deal with even severe pain, relieving the condition in advanced cases.
Masotherapy
Self-massage enhances blood flow, restores the motor function of the affected shoulder. Light blows, grinding, shaking are allowed. Strong movements are excluded, independently feel the line between useful massage and harm to health. The best option is pre-training with an experienced specialist. At an advanced stage, such techniques are prohibited, incorrect movement can cause irreparable damage to the patient's health.
Special diet and nutrition rules
Nutrition plays an important role in strengthening the joints, begins the regeneration of cartilage tissues. Rely on fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meats, legumes, fish. Eliminate fatty foods, salty foods, fast food and fizzy drinks from the body. Avoid semi-finished products, these products contain a lot of fat, which negatively affects the general condition of the person.
Proper nutrition promotes weight loss, which reduces the load on the musculoskeletal system. The use of fermented dairy products plays an important role, the active ingredients in them enrich the bones with minerals and vitamins, strengthen the patient's joints. Proper nutrition has a positive effect on the functioning of all human organs and systems.
Osteoarthritis is most often found in 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 osteoarthritis or delay its appearance for some time.
Avoid injuries, exercise gently, control your emotions. Any unpleasant symptoms are a signal to go to the doctor. Timely detected disease responds well to treatment, it is possible to maintain the joint, ensuring painless movement of the shoulder. Take care of your health, take care of your muscular system.