Bursitis of the shoulder joint is an inflammatory pathology of the supporting apparatus, which is characterized by a lesion of the synovial bag. It contains lubricating fluid, which nourishes the cartilage tissue, ensures a normal metabolism in it.
Reasons for the development of pathology
Shoulder bursitis is caused by both internal and external negative factors. We can distinguish the following causes of the development of the disease:
- Excessive articulation.
- Bruise, bump, dislocation, fracture or other shoulder injury.
- Chronic arthritis
- Infectious lesion of the synovial bag.
- Serious intoxication of the body with poisons or alcohol.
- Problems with metabolic processes.
- Allergic reactions.
- Autoimmune reactions of the body: rheumatism, lupus erythematosus and other connective tissue lesions.
Shoulder bursitis occurs more often in men who have reached 50 years of age.
Disease classification
Treatment of bursitis of the shoulder joint must be started only after its cause is established, and the type of joint damage is clarified. Classify pathology by type of course can be as follows:
- Sharp. It develops very quickly, and the symptoms are bright. The joint becomes swollen, since excess fluid is collected inside it. It is this indicator that depends on how much the affected area increases.
- Subacute. Here there is discomfort, an inflammatory process develops. However, the symptoms are not severe.
- Chronic The pathological process proceeds quietly, inconspicuously. Signs of the disease do not appear very clearly. Periodically, the disease worsens.
You can divide the bursitis of the shoulder joint by the composition of the synovial fluid:
- Hemorrhagic. The fluid is filled with red blood cells.
- Fibrous. There are too many fibrin fibers inside the joint.
- Serous. A small amount of blood is found in the liquid.
- Purulent. Then pus forms in the synovial membrane . This type of pathology is the most dangerous. With untimely treatment, the purulent mixture begins to dissolve the bone tissue, the inflammatory process becomes more intense.
There is another classification of the disease - due to the occurrence of:
- Sub-deltoid bursitis of the shoulder joint. It occurs due to monotonous mechanical work or strong physical exertion. Another factor provoking pathology is trauma to the back of the joint. The disease is characterized by swelling, pain, inability to raise a hand up.
- Calcareous bursitis of the shoulder joint. Its complication is the deposition of salts in the joint. Symptoms of this pathology are pronounced, with movement they are even more amplified. The patient can feel the affected synovial bag himself. The liquid inside it begins to be produced very quickly, as a result of which salt deposition occurs.
- Subacromial bursitis of the shoulder joint. The main reason for the development of this type of pathology is trauma to this area. It is more typical for people involved in sports or working in the workplace. In this case, deformation of the subacromial bag occurs.
Only after an accurate diagnosis is determined, it is possible to begin treatment of bursitis of the shoulder joint.
Symptomatology
At the initial stages, it is quite difficult to determine the disease. You can see only a slight swelling, a slightly rounded joint contour. Muscle enlargement occurs, pain syndrome appears. In addition, there are other symptoms of shoulder bursitis:
- Difficulty in hand movement.
- Changing the shape of the joint.
- Decreased sensitivity of the hand, as well as numbness of the forearm.
Additionally, a person shows malaise and weakness, a change in skin color in the affected area (redness). The patient may change the general or local body temperature.
The disease is characterized by the fact that only part of the symptoms may appear in the patient. A complete set is rare.
Diagnosis of the disease
Shoulder bursitis (photos of people who have encountered this problem can be seen in the article) should be treated only after the patient undergoes differential diagnosis. It includes the following procedures:
- Physical examination. The surgeon or traumatologist examines and feels the affected area, fixes the patient's complaints and symptoms.
- Roentgenography. It needs to be done in several projections. The image shows bone deformity.
- Puncture of synovial fluid. This is a minimally invasive procedure, with which you can clarify the diagnosis, determine the composition of the contents of the bag.
- CT or MRI. Using these techniques, it is possible to examine in layers not only hard, but also soft tissues, determine the cause of the development of pathology, the thickness of the densified parts. Using MRI, you can find the percentage of excess synovial fluid.
- Ultrasound
Additionally, the patient will need a consultation with a venereologist, rheumatologist, orthopedist, surgeon, as well as a TB specialist. You may need an examination and other specialists, which will help a person determine exactly the cause of the development of pathology.
Complications
If the symptoms of bursitis of the shoulder joint are not determined in time and treatment is not started in the early stages of its development, then the patient may experience such complications:
- Osteomyelitis.
- Arthritis of the joint.
- Abscess or phlegmon. These pathologies require surgical intervention. If the purulent contents are not removed, then soon the melting of hard tissues will begin.
- The spread of infection to other parts of the skeleton, the generalization of the pathological process.
These complications are more difficult to cure than to cope with the underlying disease.
Drug therapy
Before treating bursitis of the shoulder joint, it is necessary to learn the basic principles of therapy. It should be comprehensive, it is important to eliminate the very cause of the development of the disease, and also to prevent its further progression. It is also important to eliminate excess exudate, to expand the range of motion of the shoulder joint. One of the stages of treatment is taking medications. The following drugs are prescribed to the patient:
- NSAIDs: Ibuprofen, Diclofenac. Both tablets and ointments are used. Such complex use will allow you to quickly get rid of the inflammatory process.
- Antibiotics: Amoxiclav, Azithromycin, Doxycycline. The presented type of drugs is used only if a bacterial infection joins the inflammation.
- Hormonal drugs: "Hydrocortisone", "Prednisolone". The presented drugs are used in the most difficult cases when it is not possible to eliminate the pain syndrome and reduce the intensity of inflammation. Typically, corticosteroids are given as intra-articular injections. To resort to such a method of therapy is often not worth it.
- Warming ointments: "Finalgon", "Fitobene". Additionally, a fixing bandage is put on the shoulder joint.
- Anesthetic: Novocaine, Lidocaine. Special solutions for washing the joint cavity are also used.
All drugs are prescribed by your doctor. The pattern of their use may vary.
Physiotherapeutic procedures
After elimination of acute symptoms, physiotherapeutic procedures are performed to improve the condition of the joint. With bursitis, electrophoresis with dimexide, ultrasonic heating, magnetic therapy will be useful (it improves tissue nutrition, activates metabolic processes).
Also, the patient is often prescribed UHF, amplipulse, phonophoresis. Acupuncture will help relax muscles, as well as eliminate the inflammatory process, strengthen soft tissues, and remove swelling.
Massage and exercise therapy
Special massage procedures are carried out after the exacerbation is eliminated. To develop the articulation, the following techniques are used: smooth stroking, kneading of the upper limbs, chest and shoulders. A massage should be performed by an experienced specialist.
As for physical therapy, such treatment of bursitis of the shoulder joint at home is carried out without problems. The complex of movements is compiled individually for each patient. First, exercises are performed in the presence of an instructor.
It is necessary to start the complex with a minimum load. Further, it increases, and the range of motion expands. Due to physical activity, the further development of pathology and the destruction of the joint can be prevented.
Alternative treatment
At home, the treatment of bursitis of the shoulder joint is performed using traditional medicine. Each patient needs to find the right prescription. Also, cooked recipes can be changed, combined with others. Such tools will be useful:
- Infusion of burdock root. For preparation, 20 g of the plant is required and steam it with a glass of boiling water. It will take 20 minutes to insist. After the liquid cools, it must be filtered. Used infusion in the form of compresses. A tissue moistened with liquid is applied to the joint and covered with a warm cloth. It is necessary to withstand the compress for 1-2 hours.
- Fresh leaf of white cabbage. It must first be crushed. Further, it is applied to the affected area and fixed. Such a compress can be done all night. Thanks to him, the pain goes away faster, and the intensity of inflammation decreases.
- Flax seeds. They need to be warmed up, wrapped in tissue and applied to the joint. The compress is fixed and covered with a blanket.
- Leaves of Kalanchoe. They need to be crushed, attached to the joint and wrapped.
- A compress from heated camphor oil helps a lot.
Folk recipes can not be used separately from the traditional scheme. They are an auxiliary method of therapy.
Surgical intervention
If traditional treatment does not help, then a person is prescribed surgery. It is different:
- Removing excess fluid, as well as washing the bursa with an antiseptic solution.
- Elimination of purulent contents.
- Opening the synovial bag with fluid replacement.
- Complete resection of the synovial membrane.
The operation is performed under general anesthesia. After the procedure, a person needs rehabilitation. It begins the very next day after surgery with passive gymnastics and massage.
Diet
It is especially necessary to establish a diet if the pathology has an ossifying character, that is, calcareous bursitis. The menu must include foods fortified with calcium: cottage cheese, cheese, kefir and yogurt. It is important to limit salt intake. Add food is necessary only after cooking. Anyone should not consume more than 1 tsp. salt per day.
A sufficient amount of fiber and gelatin should be included in the diet. In order for the cartilaginous tissue not to collapse, the patient needs to use jelly, aspic, and also jellied dishes.
Prevention
In order to prevent the development of this problem, it is necessary to observe the following recommendations of specialists:
- Try to avoid injury to the shoulder joint to the maximum.
- Protective dressings are required during sports training or hard work.
- In the presence of small wounds or scratches, they must be immediately treated with an antiseptic to prevent the development of the inflammatory process.
- In time to treat infectious diseases.
- Limit strong mechanical stress on the joint.
- Perform exercises in the morning and in the evening, observe a balanced diet, and also abandon bad habits.
Bursitis is a complex inflammatory lesion of the synovial bag, which, without medical intervention, can give a serious complication, up to disability. It is important at the very first symptoms to seek help from specialists. Self-medication is not recommended.