Omarthrosis – osteoarthritis of the shoulder
Omarthrosis – also called osteoarthritis of the shoulder – is a degenerative condition of the shoulder joint. The cartilage in the shoulder joint, which allows it to move smoothly, gradually wears away due to this degeneration. It wears out. This can cause pain, impaired movement, and inflammation. Professionals distinguish between primary and secondary omarthrosis: While primary omarthrosis is usually due to natural aging processes or structural problems in the shoulder joint, secondary omarthrosis arises e.g. as a result of a previous injury, an accident, or an inflammatory joint condition such as arthritis.
How does omarthrosis happen? Osteoarthritis of the shoulder – causes and risk factors
Certain factors increase a person's susceptibility to omarthrosis. They include, for instance:
- Natural ageing: As we age, the quality of our joint cartilage deteriorates. The normal aging process causes the cartilage in the shoulder joint to become thinner and more brittle.
- Overstraining and incorrect posture: Excessive, one-sided strain on the shoulder, whether from doing certain sports, physically demanding occupations or repetitious movements, can damage the cartilage in the shoulder joint and accelerate wear and tear.
- Genetic predisposition: The predisposition to developing omarthrosis may also be genetic. People with a family history of joint conditions may have a higher risk of someday developing it themselves.
- Injuries and trauma: Any previous shoulder injuries may have damaged the cartilage and may increase the likelihood of developing omarthrosis. Potential risks include past ligament and bone injuries, and also repeatedly dislocating the shoulder joint.
- Inflammatory joint conditions: Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis can also lead to omarthrosis, as the inflammation can attack and damage the cartilage.
Healthy shoulder joint
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint
How do you prevent omarthrosis?
A healthy lifestyle and regular exercise can help prevent osteoarthritis or slow the progression of the condition. Another thing that can also have a negative effect on joint health is smoking. Having an ergonomically designed workplace also plays an important role in preventing osteoarthritis of the shoulder. Sufferers should avoid long periods of immobilisation and move the joint regularly to avoid having an insufficient supply of nutrients to the cartilage and to train the muscles. Try to avoid overstraining the shoulder on one side, for instance doing a lot of work with one arm stretched overhead such as painting ceilings or similar jobs.
Pain in the shoulder: symptoms and signs of omarthrosis
There are several different symptoms of omarthrosis. It is important to take these symptoms seriously and seek medical advice early on. Typical signs include:
- Aches and pain: The pain may worsen when moving the arm, especially when lifting, twisting or lifting it sideways. In advanced stages, the shoulder may even hurt when resting.
- Impairments of movement: Omarthrosis often restricts the mobility of the shoulder joint. Lifting the arm right up, or rotating the shoulder, may cause difficulties.
- Crunching sound in the joint: There may be an audible, characteristic crunching or cracking sound when the shoulder joint is moving. This indicates progressive cartilage degeneration.
- Swelling: Inflammatory reactions are often accompanied by swelling in the shoulder area, which is invisible and only detected by palpation (manually touching the joint). The swelling may be accompanied by pain and impaired mobility.
- Loss of strength: Omarthrosis is often accompanied by a weakening of the shoulder muscles, which can lead to a noticeable loss of strength in the affected arm.
- Stiffness: Depending on the severity, movement gets increasingly impaired – with joint stiffness potentially resulting.
The symptoms can vary from person to person. Early diagnosis with appropriate treatment can have a positive impact on omarthrosis progression.
Diagnosing omarthrosis: How is osteoarthritis of the shoulder diagnosed?
Diagnosing omarthrosis requires comprehensive assessment by a medical specialist. The diagnosis is based on various medical examinations and imaging procedures:
- Medical history: As part of taking a thorough medical history, patients are asked about symptoms, the duration of their symptoms, any injuries or traumatic events, and their family medical history.
- Physical examination: During the physical examination, the doctor checks the shoulder joint for pain, impaired movement, loss of strength, and signs of inflammation. Specific tests can indicate the presence of particular problems in the shoulder joint.
- X-ray: X-rays are often used as the first-line diagnostic scan. They can reveal any narrowing in the joint space, any bone spurs (osteophytes) and cartilage wear and tear.
The combination of these diagnostic methods enables an accurate diagnosis of omarthrosis, and allows the doctors to draw up a treatment plan tailored to that person. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical to slowing the progression of the condition and improving patients' quality of life.
Therapy and treatment of osteoarthritis of the shoulder
It is crucial that the treatment of shoulder osteoarthritis be tailored to the patients' own individual needs. A holistic approach combining conservative measures, physiotherapy, and surgical interventions – if and where needed – often provides the best results. Omarthrosis therapy and treatment aims to relieve any symptoms, to slow the progression of the condition, and improve shoulder joint functioning. The choice of treatment depends on the severity of the osteoarthritis, the respective symptoms, and other factors. Common treatment options include:
Conservative measures
- Medication: Painkillers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) can be used to relieve pain and inflammation.
- Physiotherapy: Targeted exercises help strengthen the muscles, improve mobility and stabilise the shoulder.
- Hot and cold presses: Applying heat or cold can relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
- Corticosteroid injections: In cases of severe pain and inflammation, corticosteroids can be injected directly into the shoulder joint to give short-term symptom relief.
- Ultrasound therapy and electrotherapy: These therapies can be used to relieve pain and improve muscle function.
- Hyaluronic acid injections: These injections are intended to improve joint lubrication and support shock absorption in the joint.
Surgical interventions
- Arthroscopy: An arthroscopy can be performed in order to e.g. smoothen worn cartilage and remove damaged cartilage.
- Joint replacement (prosthetics): In advanced stages, when conservative measures will no longer suffice, a prosthetic shoulder joint may be considered.
Making ergonomic adjustments in the workplace and other areas used daily can help minimise unhealthy arm posture. Continually doing physical exercises to strengthen the muscles and maintain mobility will support recovery.
Rehabilitation exercises for omarthrosis
Exercises targeting shoulder osteoarthritis strengthen the muscles around the shoulder joint, improving mobility and helping to relieve pain. An exercise programme tailored to suit the individual person can have a positive impact on omarthrosis progression.
What kind of doctors treat osteoarthritis of the shoulder?
Orthopaedists and rheumatologists specialise in treating conditions such as osteoarthritis of the shoulder.
medi products for omarthrosis
The Omomed® shoulder support can be used for osteoarthritis of the shoulder. If treatment also ends up including surgery at some stage, a shoulder sling (orthosis) could be considered, in consultation with a doctor.
