Shoulder osteoarthritis is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems in older adults, although it is not as common as knee or hip osteoarthritis. However, this condition still significantly affects mobility and quality of life. It is estimated that nearly one-third of people over the age of 60 have some degree of shoulder osteoarthritis. This is a process in which the cartilage and joint tissues in the shoulder gradually wear away over time, causing the joint to become less flexible, painful, and lose function.
The shoulder is a complex joint where three bones, the collarbone, scapula, and humerus, come together to form two separate joints. The acromioclavicular joint is located where the collarbone meets the head of the shoulder blade, while the glenohumeral joint forms where the head of the humerus meets the shoulder blade. Although damage can occur at any location, osteoarthritis is more common in the acromioclavicular joint.
Causes of shoulder osteoarthritis
Shoulder osteoarthritis can be divided into two groups of causes:
1. Primary osteoarthritis
The causes of shoulder osteoarthritis can come from many factors. Some cases occur without a specific cause, called primary osteoarthritis. This condition is common in people over 50 years old and women are at higher risk than men. Genetic factors also play a certain role in the development of the disease.
2. Secondary osteoarthritis
In addition, secondary osteoarthritis is related to more obvious factors such as previous shoulder injuries, a history of dislocation, infection or rotator cuff tears. People who do heavy manual labor or play high-intensity sports are also more susceptible to shoulder osteoarthritis.
Symptoms of shoulder osteoarthritis
Pain is the most recognizable sign of shoulder osteoarthritis. Initially, the pain usually only appears when moving and will decrease when resting. But as the disease progresses, the pain can persist even when you are resting or even sleeping, seriously affecting the quality of sleep. If the glenohumeral joint is affected, the pain is often deep behind the shoulder and is dull. If the acromioclavicular joint is damaged, the pain is concentrated in the upper shoulder and can spread to the neck.
Not only stopping at the feeling of pain, the patient may also experience stiffness and limited mobility. You may find it difficult to perform familiar daily movements such as raising your arm to comb your hair, picking up items from above or even putting on a shirt. The shoulder becomes stiff, making it difficult to move flexibly as before. Shoulder osteoarthritis is also often accompanied by a feeling of creaking and cracking when moving the joint, making the patient uncomfortable and worried.
If not detected and treated promptly, shoulder osteoarthritis can cause many serious complications. Joint mobility will be severely reduced, even leading to the risk of muscle atrophy due to lack of movement, complete loss of shoulder function. Continuous pain not only reduces the quality of life but also causes sleep disorders, affecting the patient’s mental and physical health.
Strategies to improve shoulder osteoarthritis without medication
Although it is a chronic disease that cannot be completely cured, controlling and improving symptoms is completely possible if the patient persistently applies the right methods.
1. Hot or cold compresses
Hot or cold compresses are one of the simple ways to effectively relieve pain and reduce joint stiffness. Hot compresses can help relax tense muscles, while cold compresses help reduce inflammation and relieve pain during flare-ups.
2. Physical activity
In addition, maintaining reasonable movement with exercises to increase strength and flexibility of the shoulder joint also plays an important role. Appropriate physical activity not only helps improve range of motion but also prevents muscle atrophy due to lack of exercise.
3. Physical therapy and massage
Physical therapy is a useful option when the degeneration becomes more severe. Under the guidance of a specialist, you will be instructed in exercises to correct posture, reduce pain and increase shoulder joint mobility.
In addition, proper massage can help blood circulation, reduce muscle tension and effectively relieve pain.
For those who need it, using a temporary support brace can help stabilize the shoulder joint and limit painful movements.
4. Maintain a healthy lifestyle
To better control the disease, patients also need to build a healthy lifestyle with a nutritious diet, rich in anti-inflammatory foods such as fatty fish, green vegetables, fresh fruits and whole grains. Maintaining a reasonable weight helps reduce pressure on the joints and slow down the degeneration process. Besides, an optimistic and patient spirit is the key for patients to live peacefully with this disease.
