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Shoulder osteoarthritis
When the shoulder feels stiff and starts to hurt in different movements, a common cause is osteoarthritis of the shoulder. The symptoms often come on slowly over a long period of time. The symptoms can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks. It can be difficult to wash, to get dressed, especially to put on a shirt or jacket, etc. Osteoarthritis most often affects people over 65.
What is shoulder osteoarthritis?
The shoulder is made up of two joints: the clavicle (AC) joint, which connects the clavicle to the scapula, and the shoulder joint itself, which connects the humerus to the scapula. The bone ends of a joint are covered by articular cartilage. Articular cartilage is constantly being broken down and renewed in a healthy joint. If there is an imbalance in the joint, such as an oblique strain that causes inflammation, the cartilage can break down at a faster rate than it is renewed, resulting in osteoarthritis. Read more about shoulder joint pain.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder is usually insidious, with milder symptoms that may disappear completely at times. In the beginning, when the osteoarthritis is creeping on, the pain is usually felt when the shoulder is loaded and in connection with various movements, for example when lifting the arm. Later, as the osteoarthritis worsens, the shoulder may hurt to the touch and it may be difficult to sleep because of the pain. The shoulder may also creak.
When and where should I seek treatment for shoulder osteoarthritis?
For osteoarthritis and pain in the shoulder, there are few options available in traditional care, other than physiotherapy and pain-relieving drugs. As a last resort, surgery may be considered.
Treatment at a FasciaClinic can relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis and help improve the cause, the imbalance in the joint. Fascia treatment can improve mobility and make it easier to perform exercises and train mobility further. The treatment is also very comfortable and has no side effects whatsoever.
Osteoarthritis Shoulder – Exercises
Moving your shoulders and arms is important to keep your mobility going and not stiffen up completely. The less you move your joints, the more they stiffen and you lose more and more mobility. The tissue produces more collagen and fibrosis is created, which becomes more difficult to release. It becomes a vicious circle. Movement is absolutely the most important thing to get the body to heal and keep the flow going.
Examples of exercises:
- Wall glide. Stand in front of a wall and rest your forearm with the side of your little finger against the wall. Slide your forearm up until only your little finger is in contact with the wall.
- Stretch the shoulder joint sitting down. Sit on a chair and grasp the chair with your injured arm. Gently lean to the opposite side until you feel a stretch in your shoulder joint. Your injured shoulder should be completely relaxed.
- Squeeze your shoulder blades together and hold for 6-10 seconds. Remember not to push your head forward. Arm pendulum. Grasp a chair or similar with the healthy arm as support, bend forward slightly and rotate the bad shoulder clockwise and counterclockwise.
