Many people who play sports or do heavy physical work often experience shoulder pain. At first they are almost invisible, but over time they begin to cause suffering, limiting the mobility of the hand. This may be the beginning of a common joint disease: acromioclavicular arthrosis.
Arthrosis is the destruction of a joint of a non-inflammatory nature, in which tissue destruction and degeneration occurs. You don’t have to be an elderly person to do this: the disease appears not only with age-related fatigue and wear and tear of bone tissue, but also with constant stress on the shoulder.
The structure of the human shoulder joint is the most complex of all joints in the body, since the range of motion of the arm is extremely wide. At the junction of the scapula (that is, its process of the acromion) and the clavicle, a joint covered with cartilaginous tissue is formed with the help of ligaments. It is practically not involved in normal hand movements, but is used only during strong swings. Osteoarthritis of the acromioclavicular joint begins gradually when the surface of the cartilage becomes thinner and friction occurs between the surfaces of the articulation.
Any injury to the shoulder, constant load on this joint in athletes involved in lifting weights or strength sports, in blacksmiths and people in those professions who are forced to load the shoulder, gradually leads to the onset of deformation of the cartilage. The disease is diagnosed in many cases using magnetic resonance imaging, which gives a clear picture of the condition of the shoulder joint.
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Acromioclavicular arthrosis always develops gradually, like any degenerative disease of joint tissue. At the first stage, a person feels slight discomfort when raising his arm up, clicks in the joint when he swings his arms, pain, if any, is minimal. The condition of the joint at this stage is minimally damaged, but constant thinning of the cartilage leads to progression of the disease.
The second stage is characterized by a more pronounced pain syndrome when trying to perform a habitual movement, the amplitude of movements decreases. It becomes difficult to place your hand behind your back, lift it up or move it to the side, while clicking and characteristic squeaks are heard. Night pain begins in an uncomfortable position. Bone outgrowths can form in the joint - osteophytes, which with sharp edges injure surrounding tissues.
The third stage is a direct indication for surgery on the shoulder joint, since the range of movements is sharply limited, and attempts to raise the arm are accompanied by pain and a feeling of frozen shoulder. The resulting contractures, muscle spasms and damage to the entire shoulder joint are a consequence of neglecting treatment for arthrosis of the acromial joint.
The most successful treatment of any degenerative joint disease is in the first stage, when changes are minimal. It is important to understand that it is impossible to completely restore cartilage and make it healthy. Arthrosis can only be stopped, but not completely cured.
If a patient notices discomfort in the shoulder and immediately consults a doctor, then he has a chance to maintain the health of the joint and range of motion for a long time. Sometimes this type of deformity is discovered by chance, during X-ray or any other instrumental examination of the shoulder joint. This means that the process of cartilage destruction at the first stage occurs almost asymptomatically.
Treatment of the initial stage of the disease consists of restoring normal nutrition to the joint. To do this, the patient is prescribed chondoprotectors, for example "Arthra", which allow the necessary substances to be delivered to the joints: glucosamine and chondroitin.
Methods of physiotherapy, acupuncture, mud applications and salt baths are very effective. In general, sanatorium treatment gives excellent results for arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joint. A full course of procedures twice a year can slow down or even stop the development of joint tissue deformation.
It is possible and necessary, under the guidance of a physical therapy specialist, to carry out exercises to pump up the joint. Before training, heat compresses or special rubbing are necessary; after exercise, cold applied to the shoulder area. Exercises for the deltoid, spinalis and infraspinatus muscles are performed in the “elbow pressed to the stomach” position. When you move your arm to the side, you can perform horizontal rows at abdominal level. You cannot overload the joint, as the destruction process will progress.
If the mobility of the shoulder is limited and there are inflammatory processes in it, it is recommended to prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; the doctor may prescribe a course of corticosteroids for injection into the shoulder joint. These drugs can reduce pain and relieve inflammation.
At this stage, it is also important to engage in physical therapy, but the exercises should be aimed at avoiding the appearance of contractures in the shoulder. In a lying position, the hand is moved to the maximum accessible distance, leaving it in this position first for a few seconds, then the time is increased to ten minutes. These exercises allow you to stretch the ligaments of the joint, which are not working due to deformation of the cartilage, without putting unnecessary stress on the joint.
If the patient experiences severe pain and conservative treatment does not produce results, he is offered surgical resection arthroplasty. The essence of the operation is to remove several centimeters of the end of the clavicle so that scar tissue can later fill the empty space, forming a false joint. This small-scale operation can relieve the patient of pain and discomfort and restore range of motion in the shoulder.
Arthrosis is always easier to prevent, since joint degeneration is very difficult to treat. People who constantly place stress on the shoulder girdle must warm up the joint before work and avoid overload and injury. Any injury to the shoulder is fraught with further deformation of the joint.
At the first signs of discomfort, you should definitely undergo an examination, since you cannot perform the usual exercises or work, this can significantly accelerate the destruction of cartilage.
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This disease is a natural aging process, the physiological wear and tear of human joints. The disease is inflammatory in nature, which is accompanied by a dystrophic-degenerative effect. If the disease is detected at the first stage of development, it can be quickly and easily cured. However, advanced arthrosis is not so easy to overcome; more effort and an integrated approach to the problem will be required. Often, clavicular acromial arthrosis is accompanied by pain in the shoulder area; a little less often, pain is felt in the legs.
Acromioclavicular arthrosis usually occurs due to the body's natural aging processes, which begin in people over 40 years of age. Often the disease is diagnosed in a patient who has suffered a bad fall or suffered a serious injury or bruise. Another cause of arthrosis may be a dislocation of the shoulder, which occurred to a person several years ago. A sign of clavicular acromial arthrosis is pain in the shoulder joint, which causes difficulties in performing usual household work.
Symptoms of clavicular acromial arthrosis are:
The sooner the patient consults a doctor, the easier the treatment of the disease will be. Primary diagnosis involves interviewing and examining the patient by the attending physician. You must answer questions about when the symptoms began, whether you have had injuries to your limbs, shoulders, or collarbone, what shoulder and arm exercises are difficult for you to do, and in what specific area the pain occurs.
To confirm the diagnosis, a so-called “diagnostic blockade” is required, the essence of which is the doctor injecting a small amount of an antisthetic (Lidocaine is often used) into the cavity of the clavicular joint. If a rheumatologist has discovered an inflammatory process in the clavicular joint in a patient, then after the injection the pain immediately goes away. To complete the picture of the disease, the doctor, as a rule, refers for an X-ray examination, after which he prescribes complex surgical treatment.
Like many other diseases, arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joint requires complex treatment. It can be either aggressive or mild, depending on the degree of the disease. At the first stage of arthrosis development, patients often do without non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or other potent drugs to relieve symptoms. Doctors prescribe long courses of chondroprotectors for patients with any stage of acromioclavicular arthrosis. The drugs gradually restore damaged articular cartilage.
Doctors turn to aggressive therapy for arthrosis at the second or third stage of the patient’s disease. To relieve severe pain, the doctor may prescribe active painkillers. This approach does not relieve the patient of clavicular acromial arthrosis, but effectively copes with its symptoms. An alternative to such treatment are traditional methods that help activate blood circulation, increase the body's immunity and saturate it with useful elements.
A large number of people involved in sports or involved in heavy physical labor know firsthand what osteoarthritis is. The main symptom of this disease is a constant feeling of pain in the shoulder area. At first it can be tolerated, but over time the pain increases, as a result of which the range of motion of the shoulder becomes sharply limited, and the existing signs indicate that the person is developing arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joint (ACJ).
Shoulder joint disease is not characterized by internal inflammation. Destruction occurs as a result of thinning and reduction in tissue volume, which will gradually lead to functional failure and cell death. Experts note the fact that the destruction process is not exclusively an age-related problem caused by a lack of nutrients throughout the body. Today, osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is diagnosed in more than 35% of the population under the age of 40, which is due to constant stress on the shoulders.
Osteoarthritis of the acromioclavicular joint can be an age-related disease. After 50 years, the natural aging process progresses in the human body, which cannot be stopped. In the case of an earlier diagnosis of the pathology, the probable cause of its occurrence may be an injury, followed by a dislocation of the shoulder or a bruise, and this could be either a recent incident or one that occurred many years ago.
The main sign of damage to the shoulder joint is severe pain in the indicated area, in connection with this certain difficulties arise when performing not only physical work, but various household chores.
Symptoms of the disease are:
When AC joint arthrosis progresses, a process of tissue destruction occurs in the joint at the cellular level. That is why the disease is characterized by a long course, while in the first stages of its development the main symptoms of the degenerative process may be absent.
Doctors distinguish three degrees of arthrosis:
Depending on the severity of the pathological process and the presence of concomitant diseases, in each clinical case the manifestation of certain symptoms may differ slightly.
If the patient has been definitively diagnosed with arthrosis of the AC joint, then this pathology can be dealt with in several ways: drug therapy, folk remedies, or surgical intervention. Depending on the degree and severity of the disease, treatment with a conservative or surgical method is prescribed only by the leading doctor. Traditional medicine is practiced as an adjuvant therapy, but in combination it is highly effective.
Treatment of patients with the first degree of arthrosis does not involve taking strong medications, for example, those that suppress the inflammatory process and belong to the non-steroidal group or corticosteroids.
Considering the slow nature of the degenerative process, long-term treatment with chondroprotectors has good results. Drugs in this group gradually restore joint tissue (taken only as directed by a doctor).
Treatment of second-degree diseases involves taking potent steroid and non-steroidal drugs. Injections and taking anti-inflammatory drugs will help relieve swelling and pain. Only after these symptoms have been eliminated will the doctor prescribe restorative treatment.
Treatment of patients with third-degree AC joint arthrosis is exclusively surgical.
Treatment of joint diseases with folk remedies involves applying compresses and bandages that relieve swelling and mild pain. The most commonly used are decoctions of burdock leaves and cinquefoil root. Complex therapy, which includes physiotherapy, drug treatment and traditional methods, is highly effective in treatment.
Some joints in the body are more prone to wear and tear than others. Degenerative changes in a joint are called arthrosis or osteoarthritis. Arthrosis in the acromioclavicular joint (joint) most often develops in middle-aged people. Arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joint (joint) is painful and can significantly limit movement in the shoulder joint. The progression of the disease and the accompanying pain and swelling syndrome make it difficult to use the hand in everyday activities, work and sports. In this article, we will look in detail at the anatomy of the acromioclavicular joint or joint (ACJ), its function, the causes of pain in it, as well as methods of treating diseases and injuries affecting the ACJ.
The shoulder joint is made up of three bones: the scapula, the humerus and the clavicle. The part of the shoulder blade that forms the “roof” of the shoulder joint is called the acromion. The joint where the acromion and collarbones meet is called the acromioclavicular joint.
In the medical literature, when this anatomical formation is mentioned, the term acromioclavicular joint or the abbreviation ACJ is often used. The bones that form the acromioclavicular joint (articulation) are covered with articular cartilage, there is a semblance of an articular capsule around it, the clavicle and acromion are held together by dense ligaments, and in the joint cavity there is a meniscus-like disc-shaped cartilaginous formation.
However, the AC joint is significantly different from joints such as the knee or, for example, the ankle, since the range of motion in it is much less. It is worth noting that, despite the fact that mobility in the acromioclavicular joint (articulation) is very small, diseases and injuries of the ACJ significantly limit the function of the shoulder joint and cause significant suffering to the patient.
Throughout the day, we use our shoulder joint constantly, with the acromioclavicular joint (joint) experiencing significant stress and the ligaments and muscles around the shoulder joint being under constant tension. The AC joint is particularly subject to wear and tear when moving the arm above the head, as well as during work or sports activities involving heavy lifting.
Weightlifters and other athletes who practice lifting extreme weights many times during their careers, as a rule, have quite pronounced arthrosis of the AC joint or osteolysis of the clavicle at a young age.
As the articular surfaces of the bones forming the acromioclavicular joint (articulation) wear out over the course of life, as well as as a result of physical activity, the shock-absorbing function of the joint decreases. The articular cartilage that covers the bones in the joint becomes thinner and damaged, and bone growths (osteophytes) appear around the joint. Such degenerative and destructive changes in the joint cause pain and swelling, first with movement and then at rest.
In medicine, a condition in which gradual destruction of a joint develops, caused by injury or disease, is called osteoarthritis or simply arthrosis.
Post-traumatic arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joint (joint) is also a common phenomenon. It may be caused by damage to the ligaments around the collarbone and AC joint that were previously suffered, perhaps many years ago. The result of such an injury may be dislocation or subluxation of the acromial end of the clavicle in the joint. Violation of the location of the clavicle relative to the acromion changes the biomechanics of the joint. The articular surfaces of the clavicle and acromion are loaded unevenly, and joint wear accelerates. Constant inflammation in the joint area leads to irreversible degeneration of the ACJ and the development of persistent pain and swelling around it.
Also, the cause of AC joint arthrosis can be improper treatment of dislocations of the acromial end of the clavicle. Rough surgical technique during surgery, the use of outdated and inappropriately sized implants during surgery, as well as inadequate rehabilitation can cause the development of AC joint arthrosis.
With severe arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joint (joint), numerous bone growths (osteophytes) around it can also damage the rotator cuff or rotator cuff running nearby. The result of damage to this anatomical formation can be a persistent violation of the abduction of the arm to the side. The upper limb hangs like a whip along the body.
The vast majority of patients with pathology of the acromioclavicular joint complain of pain in the shoulder. Palpation in the area of the acroioclavicular joint (joint), as a rule, causes pain; patients note periodic swelling in the projection of the AC joint. In the anamnesis, patients with ACJ pathology most often had injuries to the shoulder joint, many of them are or were related to professional sports or are constantly involved in fitness.
The main task of a specialist doctor is the differential diagnosis of AC joint pathology with other diseases of the shoulder joint. Based on a clinical examination, medical history, as well as MRI and X-ray data, the doctor consistently excludes other diseases that cause pain in this area, such as frozen shoulder or impingement syndrome. To clarify the diagnosis during the examination, the doctor performs special functional tests. Sometimes, for diagnostic purposes, various solutions of anesthetics and steroids are injected into the AC cavity.
It is mandatory to conduct an X-ray examination of the AC joint, and in some cases, an MRI of the shoulder joint.
The acromioclavicular joint (joint) can also be affected by some systemic diseases, such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis.
Conservative treatment is usually effective for the initial manifestations of AC joint arthrosis. Such treatment consists of resting the shoulder joint, intra-articular injections of various local anesthetics and steroids into the joint cavity, as well as taking NSAIDs orally.
If, during treatment, the pain and swelling syndrome does not stop, there is significant degenerative degeneration of the acromioclavicular joint (articulation) with numerous bone growths (osteophytes) in its area, the issue of surgical treatment is considered.
Various surgical methods have been proposed for the treatment of AC joint pathology. At the present stage of development of medicine, closed, minimally invasive methods using arthroscopy are mainly used.
Faster recovery from the surgical field, low level of infectious complications, excellent cosmetic results - this is not a complete list of the advantages of the arthroscopic minimally invasive method of treating AC joint pathology over previously used open interventions.
It has been proven that arthroscopic treatment of AC joint diseases gives good results.
During surgery, a miniature video camera is inserted into the space under the acromion. The doctor can use the monitor to examine the acromioclavicular joint (articulation) in detail from the inside.
In the area of the AC joint, several small punctures of the skin are additionally formed to introduce mini-instruments into the joint area, with the help of which excess bone growths (osteophytes) can be removed in the right place. Pathologically altered tissues under the acromion, which cause pain when pinched, are also removed.
It is important that during arthroscopic surgery the ligaments stabilizing the clavicle are not damaged.
As noted earlier, surgery to remove altered tissues of the AC joint can be performed either openly or using arthroscopy. Today, all over the world, orthopedic surgeons prefer to perform such operations minimally invasively, using arthroscopy. Only an arthroscope allows the surgeon to work into the joint through very small incisions. Reducing damage to the normal healthy soft tissue surrounding the joint leads to faster healing and recovery after surgery.
Rehabilitation after surgery is usually aimed at reducing pain and swelling in the surgical area. Both painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as the use of physical therapy and ice locally, help with this.
After arthroscopic intervention, rehabilitation proceeds faster, the patient gradually begins to work on increasing the range of motion in the shoulder joint, and subsequently on strengthening the muscles surrounding the joint.
Sutures after surgery are usually removed on days 10-12; for several weeks after surgery, a removable orthotic bandage like a scarf may be required.
In our clinic, we widely use arthroscopy and other minimally invasive methods of treating pathology of the acromioclavicular and shoulder joints. Operations are performed using modern medical equipment from major global manufacturers.
However, it is worth noting that the result of the operation depends not only on the equipment, but also on the skill and experience of the surgeon. The surgeons at our clinic have extensive experience in treating diseases of this localization for many years.
Due to inflammation in the shoulder girdle, arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joint often occurs. The disease has 4 degrees of severity and is characterized by pain in the shoulder, limited mobility, and the appearance of bone growths. It is recommended to consult a doctor if you feel discomfort in the shoulder joint. The specialist will make a diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment.
If there has been a shoulder injury, a follow-up x-ray examination is recommended to promptly detect degenerative changes in the joint tissues.
The acromioclavicular joint consists of the connection of the acromion to the end of the clavicle. Soft sliding of the articular heads and shock absorption are provided by cartilage tissue. Under the influence of unfavorable causes or age-related factors, thinning and destruction of cartilage occurs. As a result of friction, the articular surfaces become dense, rough and grow, forming osteophytes. Acromioclavicular arthrosis and the subsequent deforming process are provoked by the following factors:
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Doctors distinguish 4 stages of disease severity. The main signs of pathology appear when grade 2 arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joint is diagnosed. How the symptoms differ is shown in the table:
Arthrosis-arthritis of the acromioclavicular joint can be determined by an orthopedic surgeon, traumatologist or arthrologist. The doctor listens to complaints, studies the medical history, conducts a visual examination, identifying abnormalities. For the integrity of the clinical picture, the following diagnostic methods are prescribed:
Treatment for arthrosis of the shoulder joint is prescribed by a doctor; self-medication is prohibited. Complex therapy includes the following drugs:
If inflammation of the sternoclavicular joint progresses, surgery is recommended. Arthroscopy is performed, in which the affected end of the clavicle bone is removed. In the resulting space, connective tissue grows, resulting in the formation of a false joint. If the articular cartilage is completely destroyed, endoprosthetics is required. The essence of the procedure is to replace the articular heads with ceramic or metal-ceramic prostheses.
Osteoarthritis or arthritis of the sternoclavicular joint is treated using the following physiotherapeutic methods:
The procedures can be combined with massage - classical and water. Stroking, acupressure, patting, and vibration are recommended. At home, you can use a spiked ball, which should be rolled over the affected area. Massage using a shower is effective. The jet strength should be medium. The methods have a therapeutic effect on the sternoclavicular joint, which manifests itself as follows:
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To prevent arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joint from progressing, you should perform a set of exercises daily:
Exercises should be performed as recommended by a doctor. The load should be gradual - from light to heavier. If you have osteoarthritis of the left or right acromioclavicular joint, heavy physical training is prohibited. Before performing gymnastic tasks, you should do a light warm-up. This will improve blood circulation and warm up the muscles.
Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease of degenerative-dystrophic nature that affects various joint groups. Those joints that experience significant stress in everyday life are most susceptible to changes. First of all, we are talking about the lower extremities, but there are other cases, for example, arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joint (ACJ). This is a rather unpleasant pathology that limits the physical activity of patients, and therefore should be considered in more detail.
Many people believe that arthrosis is the lot of older people. Indeed, the physiological wear and tear of cartilage tissue has a certain role in the formation of degenerative processes. However, it is known that the AC joint is more often affected in working age, when such changes are not yet typical. In this case, you should pay attention to other factors:
Since the acromioclavicular joint does not have the same mobility as the shoulder joint, it would seem that the load on it would be insignificant. However, prolonged muscle tension during manual labor has an impact sufficient to develop arthrosis. Weightlifters, loaders, blacksmiths, mechanics, and miners are susceptible to the disease.
As a result, damage to the articular cartilage occurs, leading to its thinning and loss of shock-absorbing properties. It becomes more sensitive to stress, and in metabolism, the processes of destruction of collagen and proteoglycans begin to prevail over their synthesis. Subsequently, the underlying bone tissue, surrounding ligaments and muscles change, the synovial membrane becomes inflamed, which makes movements in the shoulder joint even more difficult.
The appearance of acromioclavicular arthrosis is associated with excessive load on the joint, traumatic, inflammatory and age-related factors.
With arthrosis of the AC joint, the clinical picture is similar to damage to the shoulder joint, which is due to the anatomical proximity of these joints: the clavicle connects to the acromial process of the scapula, located directly above its cavity. But there are also some features of the disease that are determined by the functional role of this joint.
If the pathology is in the early stages of development, then patients do not feel any changes at all. The only thing that may bother them is slight pain when pressing on the collarbone. But as arthrosis develops, new symptoms appear:
Of course, the main complaint is pain. It is mechanical and starting in nature, occurring at the beginning of physical activity and after it. But over time, the unpleasant sensations do not disappear even at rest, becoming almost constant. With the simultaneous development of arthrosis of the shoulder joint, there is a significant limitation in the abduction and elevation of the arm, which makes it impossible to engage in certain types of work and sports.
If shoulder pain occurs, the possibility of AC joint arthrosis should be considered. The disease develops gradually, but in severe cases is associated with significant physical limitations.
A diagnosis of acromioclavicular arthrosis can only be made based on the results of an additional study. Clinical examination helps to suggest the disease, and it is confirmed using imaging methods. These include the following procedures:
Such an examination allows you to assess the severity of arthrosis based on its structural features: narrowing of the joint space and osteophytes. In addition, the presence of similar changes in adjacent joints is determined.
Degenerative diseases of the ACJ need to be treated using methods of multidirectional effects on the articular apparatus. But it should be remembered that their effect depends on the stage of pathological changes. And if conservative therapy is sufficient in the early stages, then the issue of surgical treatment is considered in the future.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system, in particular osteoarthritis, are an indication for the prescription of certain medications. Not only symptomatic drugs are used, but also those that have a structural-modifying effect on cartilage tissue. And if you can expect a quick effect from the former, the latter require a fairly long period of use. For acromioclavicular arthrosis, the following medications are recommended:
Treatment of severe pain syndrome is carried out using intra-articular administration of hormonal drugs: Diprospan, Kenalog, Hydrocortisone. In addition, ointment applications, cream or gel application are used (Dolobene, Diklak, Tsel T).
Prescribing medications is the responsibility of the doctor. Only a specialist knows what dosage and course of administration will be optimal for the patient.
Non-drug treatment of arthrosis includes physical methods. They help get rid of inflammation, reduce pain and improve biochemical processes in cartilage. Thus, physiotherapy is aimed not only at eliminating exacerbations, but also stimulating the regeneration of damaged tissues. The following procedures are quite effective:
In addition to the local effect, physical methods have a general positive effect on the body by improving blood circulation and modulating immune reactions.
Effective treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, including arthrosis of the ACJ, is impossible without special gymnastics. Proper exercises help expand the range of motion, strengthen muscles, and also, to a certain extent, stimulate the synthesis of cartilage tissue components without provoking its destruction. But this can be done only after eliminating acute phenomena: pain and inflammation. And first, you should limit the load on the joint in every possible way, for example, using a scarf.
Exercises begin with lightweight movements for the shoulder girdle, which include the following:
Gymnastics should not cause pain; it is performed smoothly, without sudden movements. Classes are conducted under the supervision of a doctor.
The complex of conservative treatment of arthrosis also includes massage of the shoulder area. Like active gymnastics, it is indicated only after eliminating acute pain in the acromioclavicular joint. They use standard massage techniques, including elements of stroking, rubbing, kneading, pressure, etc. The effect is achieved by improving blood flow in soft tissues and normalizing muscle tone, which helps restore lost range of motion.
The ineffectiveness of conservative therapy raises the question for the patient and the doctor about the advisability of surgical correction of arthrosis. If there is severe destruction of the acromial end of the clavicle, it is removed (resection arthroplasty). And the resulting space is gradually filled with connective tissue and a so-called false joint is formed. It provides mobility between the collarbone and scapula. The rehabilitation period is about 2 months.
Arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joint is not as rare a disease as it might seem at first glance. Its development and treatment fits into the general scheme of degenerative-dystrophic pathology of the shoulder region.
Arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joint is a problem that is increasingly encountered by middle-aged and mature patients. Damage to such a joint can cause pain and significantly reduce the quality of life. Getting rid of the disease is quite difficult, so it is necessary to know effective methods of therapy.
Arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joint usually manifests itself as inflammatory phenomena, and in order to stop the progression of such a disease, it is necessary to use medications that reduce the activity of the pathological process in the joint. Most often, painkillers from the NSAID group are prescribed for such therapy. If the deformation was started in the early stages, then you will need to turn to other methods of treatment.
Before treatment for severe inflammation, an intra-articular blockade procedure is required. The essence of the process is the injection of anti-inflammatory hormonal drugs into the clavicular joint: Kenalog or Hydrocortisone. If you are to take such pills, we note that they have a number of serious side effects. When acting locally on joints, it is possible to achieve excellent anti-inflammatory results without harm to the human body. In addition, treatment of the acromioclavicular joint is performed using local non-hormonal or hormonal ointments and gels:
A popular method of local therapy is chondroprotectors. This is the name of substances that promote the restoration of cartilage tissue, since they act directly on destroyed cartilage. This group of drugs includes:
It is necessary to begin such treatment only after consulting a doctor, since he must determine the extent of the disease. Note that chondroprotectors have a delayed mechanism of action on the clavicular joint. The duration of therapy sometimes reaches 2-5 months.
Most often, doctors prescribe chondoprotectors containing glucosamine and chondroitin, as well as vitamin complexes that improve blood supply to the joints and have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joint must be treated comprehensively, not only with medications, but also in other ways. This list includes physiotherapy, special gymnastics and sanatorium-resort holidays.
Thanks to physiotherapeutic methods, it is possible to slow down the development of pathology. Please note that this type of treatment will require much less painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. Physiotherapy includes:
These methods will help relieve swelling and inflammation, improve blood circulation, and also provide the body with useful substances, strengthen the immune system, and restore joint mobility. To restore the clavicular acromion, traditional treatment is often practiced. Effective results are demonstrated by compresses made from burdock and cinquefoil leaves. The plants must be crushed, made into a lotion and applied to the affected area. This method of therapy will effectively relieve pain and relieve swelling. There are several other folk recipes used to treat the disease:
Note that folk recipes can only be used in the initial stages of arthrosis.
Sanatorium treatment is a good way to combine business with pleasure. Effective resorts are those that have chloride or sodium waters or practice mud therapy. Note that physiotherapeutic procedures are permitted only when deforming clavicular arthrosis is at a “cold” stage - without exacerbation of the disease.
Therapeutic gymnastics is prescribed exclusively by a specialist. Such procedures must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor, since the load on the muscles should not be too great, but not completely absent. Such gymnastics include bending and straightening the arms, working with dumbbells and other exercises.
Arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joint in the final stages is treated with resection arthroplasty. This operation is the removal of the acromial end of the clavicle measuring 2-2.5 cm. After this, scar tissue will fill the space between the acromion and the clavicle, in this place a so-called false joint will be formed, which connects the acromion and the clavicle. This operation is performed through a small incision in the skin in the joint area. Sometimes the procedure is performed using an arthroscope. This is an instrument with a small camera at the end that makes the surgeon's job easier.
Another method of radical therapy for advanced stages of the disease is shoulder replacement. In this procedure, the joint or part of it is replaced with a metal, plastic or ceramic joint (prosthesis). It is made from high-tech and high-quality materials that last up to 20 years.
Treatment of arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joint is complex, so it is necessary to consult a specialist, since only an experienced doctor can prescribe effective therapy.
Arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joints most often occurs due to the natural processes of aging or injuries or bruises received during life. The disease is inflammatory, degenerative-dystrophic in nature. In the early stages it can be treated very successfully, but advanced arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joints requires great effort to defeat it. The disease is accompanied by pain in the shoulder and difficulties in everyday life when performing normal exercises.
The acromioclavicular joint is part of the shoulder joint. Actually, the shoulder consists of the scapula, humerus and clavicle bones. the acromion the same process that comes from the scapula and connects to the collarbone. This joint is commonly called the acromioclavicular joint (ACJ). Like other joints in the human body, the AC joint is articulated by ligaments and the joint capsule, and it is also covered with cartilage at the ends of the bones.
The necessary mobility is achieved thanks to the special structure of the joint and the elasticity of the articular cartilage. It is distinguished from the hip or elbow joint by a much smaller range of motion. The ACJ is one of the low-moving joints; only with strong swings of the arms does movement occur in the acromioclavicular joint.
The main cause of arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joints is considered to be the natural processes of wear and tear of the joints. Heavy physical work negatively affects the health of the AC. For example, loaders, miners, jackhammer workers, and blacksmiths are very often diagnosed with acromioclavicular osteoarthritis. Such physical overload of the humerus leads to diagnosis at a young age.
The second important cause of acromial arthrosis is bruises and shoulder injuries. We must remember that not a single injury goes away without a trace - it all affects our joints and brings a person closer to arthrosis. Therefore, the first thing you need to do is to be attentive to the resulting sprains, bruises, and fractures of the collarbones, to observe a post-traumatic regimen, to give the damaged joint the required rest, and not to overload it with heavy exercises.
Symptoms of arthrosis of the acromial clavicular joints appear as:
The initial degree of arthrosis of the ACJ is not expressed by noticeable symptoms. It is this circumstance that leads to the fact that the patient does not pay attention to the weak signs of osteoarthritis, does not undergo proper X-ray examination and medical examination, as a result of which the disease slowly progresses. The first stage of acromioclavicular arthrosis is characterized by mild pain when pressing on the collarbone, as well as with some movements of the arms and shoulders. In addition, pain can be felt even in the cervical spine.
The second degree of arthrosis is characterized by obvious disturbing pain in the shoulder, difficulty getting dressed, placing your arms behind your back, behind your head, and when crossing your chest. If the main cause of the disease is injury, then dry crunching and clicking sounds may be heard when moving the shoulder complex.
The sooner you consult a doctor for help, the easier it will be to cope with arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joints. At your doctor’s appointment, you should thoroughly answer questions regarding how long ago the symptoms of osteoarthritis occurred, whether there were injuries in this area, what exercises with your arms and shoulders are difficult for you, and in what places pain occurs.
Sometimes, to confirm the diagnosis, a diagnostic block is required, which consists of injecting a small amount of lidocaine (or other anesthetic) into the cavity of the clavicular joint. If there is an inflammatory process in the ACJ, then after the injection the pain subsides immediately.
To obtain a complete picture of the disease, the attending physician usually prescribes an x-ray examination, after which an accurate diagnosis can be made, the degree of arthrosis can be determined, and comprehensive treatment can be prescribed.
Based on the degree of arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joint, treatment will be mild or aggressive. At the first stage, you can do without NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), corticosteroids and other strong drugs to suppress pain and inflammation. At all stages, it will be useful to take long courses of chondroprotectors, which slowly but surely restore the suffering articular cartilage.
“Aggressive” drug therapy is most often resorted to in the second or third degree of clavicular arthrosis. Then, to relieve severe excruciating pain, the doctor may prescribe steroid drugs, glucocorticoids (Kenalog, Diprospan), which also relieve swelling. Treatment of moderate severity is accompanied by injections and NSAID tablets (Voltaren, diclofenac, xefocam, ibuprofen). This approach will not get rid of arthrosis, but it will cope with the signs of arthrosis.
An alternative to treatment is alternative medicine, which can affect the diseased acromial joint using bee stings or leeches, if there is no inflammatory process in the body. Such methods allow you to increase blood circulation, saturate the body with useful elements, and improve immunity.
Great importance is attached to traditional medicine recipes, which suggest influencing the shoulder complex by applying compresses from burdock leaves, crushed cinquefoil roots and other medicinal plants. Lotions and applications are used to relieve pain and swelling.
If arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joints is in the third stage, when treatment is no longer effective, then surgical intervention can help. Most often, modern medicine uses arthroplasty or endoprosthetics of the diseased shoulder joint.