Pain

In the case of shoulder arthrosis, pain in the joint and also in the surrounding tissue can be too severe. Acute inflammatory reactions in activated arthrosis cause the tissue around the joint to swell, and the joint itself may be thickened by synovial fluid and swollen bursae. In addition, there are classic signs of inflammation such as warming and redness.

In such cases, protection and also appropriate drug therapy, if necessary supplemented by cold applications, bandages or ointments, can help. In principle, movement is a good aid to counteract the progression of the disease in the case of existing osteoarthritis. However, if pain occurs during movement or loading, the joint should be spared and the technique or intensity of loading should be checked.

Although pain is also a symptom of the disease, it also serves as a warning sign against further overloading and should be taken seriously. Exercises that cause pain should be discontinued and checked with the treating therapist. An appropriate pain therapy is a central point in the treatment of arthrosis. In addition to ointments and tablets, injections with painkillers can also alleviate the symptoms.

Therapy

In the treatment of shoulder arthrosis, a distinction is made between conservative and operative therapy. Initially, an attempt is made to limit the wear and tear on the joint by conservative measures. This includes protection up to and including short-term immobilization, physiotherapy (mobilization, muscle build-up, coordination), drug therapy (oral, ointments,..) and a change in everyday life.

In this way, stressful movements such as overhead work or heavy lifting should be avoided.In the case of therapy-resistant pain and severe movement restrictions, surgery is an option. There are various surgical techniques from joint reconstruction to joint replacement. As a result of untreated shoulder arthrosis, surgery may be unavoidable and a prosthesis may have to be fitted. Comprehensive information on this can be found in the article: Shoulder TEP

Physiotherapy for the treatment of shoulder arthrosis

Physiotherapy is especially important for diseases of joints. It plays a major role in the treatment of osteoarthritis and is the focus of conservative therapy. In the physiotherapeutic treatment of shoulder arthrosis, both active exercises and manual therapy techniques are used.

Therapy forms from the field of physical therapy are also possible. In conservative therapy, the aim is to maintain and extend the shoulder joint‘s capacity to bear weight as much as possible through targeted strengthening and mobilization, so that the patient’s symptoms improve. If symptoms persist despite intensive therapy, surgery may be necessary.

Following the respective surgical procedure, physiotherapeutic follow-up treatment takes place directly in the hospital and also on an outpatient basis. This serves to restore the strength, mobility and general joint function of the shoulder. The therapy can also be tailored to the individual needs of the patient in everyday life.