Joint syndrome often causes chronic pain and joint dysfunction. This problem can occur in both adults and children. The cause of the disease can be infectious inflammation of the joints, a degenerative-dystrophic process in cartilage tissue, the presence of systemic diseases or immune pathologies. Also, this phenomenon often manifests itself in children with the development of rickets.
When your joints hurt, you can only dream of a full life. Joint syndrome is a common cause of chronic pain and disability. Both adults and children face this problem.
The causes of articular syndrome include infectious inflammation of the joints (reactive or rheumatoid arthritis), degenerative-dystrophic processes in cartilage (deforming osteoarthritis), systemic diseases (gout, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis) or immune pathologies (rheumatoid arthritis). Articular syndrome can also manifest itself against the background of blooming rickets in children.
Joint syndrome is a complex of symptoms of joint damage in various diseases and pathologies. The patient experiences severe pain, signs of inflammation in the form of swelling, local hyperthermia and hyperemia, while the joints become deformed and lose functionality.
These signs are observed to varying degrees, depending on the type and severity of the disease, as well as the activity of the inflammatory process.
The number of diseases in which a problem is identified in one form or another is quite large. In one case, joint damage is the main symptom, in which case osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, is diagnosed. In another situation, this is a manifestation of one or another disease masquerading as a joint disease.
During the examination, the doctor assesses the nature of the joint syndrome, determines the location of the disease, how many joints are affected, how the disease progresses, and whether there are pathologies inside the joints. It's necessary. To determine the direction of the search and establish the cause of the lesion.
First of all, the doctor determines whether the disease is associated with joint pathologies. To do this, it is necessary to exclude diseases not associated with arthropathy. Thus, pain in the joints may be associated with a violation of soft tissues, muscles or ligaments. These types of diseases include:
It is important to consider that the symptoms of the above diseases of the articular-ligamentous apparatus can also be observed in rheumatic types of diseases. However, most often, disorders of the periarticular tissues are an independent disease, which is accompanied by inflammation.
Such diseases related to articular syndrome are among the most common, especially in women aged 30 to 50 years who are engaged in physical activities.
The disease may have:
In particular, acute gouty arthritis and rheumatic arthritis are characterized by an acute inflammatory process in the joints. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, in turn, are characterized by a prolonged course and gradual progression of arthritis.
The localization of the articular process, symmetry and number of affected joints are also determined. Articular syndrome can affect one, two, three joints, or many. Deformation in the form of bone growths, destruction of articular ends, subluxations is observed in chronic diseases - rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis.
Extra-articular manifestations in the form of tophi, rheumatoid nodules, iritis, iridocyclitis can indicate one or another type of disease.
The joint problem includes five main signs of the inflammatory process - pain, swelling, redness, increased local temperature at the site of the lesion, and impaired motor activity.
The pain can be constant or periodic. Periodic pain that occurs during functional loads on the joints is, in turn, divided into universal and selective stress.
The degree of pain is determined based on a five-point scale or visual analogue scale.
The visual analogue scale is a 10 centimeter long scale drawn on a piece of paper. The patient must remember the most severe pain he has ever experienced; this is taken as a maximum parameter of 10 cm.
After this, the patient must correlate with these pains the pain that he is currently experiencing in certain joints.
It is important to distinguish joint pain, which can occur during palpation, from pain. It can be local in nature - in the form of a single painful point with enthesopathy, zonal in nature with damage to ligaments, tendons or muscles, and also diffuse in synovitis.
To identify pain, the joint is palpated with a certain force, at which the nail bed of the palpating thumb turns pale. The degree of diffuse pain is assessed on a scale:
Joint stiffness is a difficulty in performing certain movements in the morning or after a long sleep. In this case, the patient does not experience pain.
In arthritis or periarthritis, swelling is observed, which is associated with effusion inside the joints, thickening of the synovial membranes, fatty formations or extra-articular soft tissues.
When deformed, the joints change shape and lose functionality due to the appearance of bone growths, destruction of the articular end of the bone, dislocation or subluxation, ankylosis, and so on.
An increase in temperature is detected by a doctor by applying the back of the hand to the joint. Most often, the temperature increases locally.
Redness of the skin is observed in the case of damage to periarticular tissues of inflammatory origin, the presence of infectious, reactive and microcrystalline arthritis, acute rheumatic fever, osteoarthritis.
Symptoms include the presence of crunching or clicking in the joints during palpation or movement. With synovitis, the sound can be light, with destruction of the joints it can be rough.
Also, the doctor sometimes detects tendon clicks or clicking fingers in case of sprain of the small joints of the hand. which is associated with the formation of intra-articular gas bubbles. Most often, this type of click can be heard during squats at the knee or hip joint.
Impaired joint performance manifests itself in the form of limited mobility or hypermobility of the joints. This is where the name of the musculoskeletal disorder – ankylosis – comes from.
When stiffness suddenly appears, doctors diagnose joint blockade. This usually occurs when small particles of cartilage are pinched or fragments of osteophytes appear.
With excessive motor activity, hypermobility of the joints is determined. It is diagnosed if the patient scores at least four out of nine points according to a certain method.
Additionally, goniometry, indicator imaging and histomorphological methods are used to identify diseases.
Using goniometry, it is possible to carry out an objective assessment of the motor functions of the joints. The measurement is carried out using a special goniometer device, which measures the angles of the joints during movements.
Indicator diagnostic methods are used to identify the degree of inflammatory processes, the presence of immune disorders, pain syndrome, and synovial fluid in the joints. Blood tests are also performed to determine the level of white blood cells.
To assess the clinical state of the immune system in rheumatic disease, four main components are examined. Which take part in protecting the body:
Since pain is the main symptom in diseases of the musculoskeletal system, the intensity of pain is assessed using a visual analogue or verbal analogue scale.
A study for the presence of synovial fluid is carried out to identify dystrophic and inflammatory diseases of the joints. This diagnosis is carried out using puncture of the affected joint. Articular fluid is assessed by color, viscosity, transparency, the nature of the mucin clot and cytological composition.
The most informative visual method for diagnosing pathology is X-ray examination. In this case, symptoms are identified depending on the severity of the disease.
Thermography is used to study the intensity of infrared radiation in tissues. Using this method, you can measure the temperature of the skin on the affected joint. The study is recorded on photographic paper in the form of contour shadows. This is not only a visual, but also an indicator method, as it indicates the activity of joint damage as a result of the inflammatory process.
Radioisotope scintigraphy is used in the initial stages of arthritis. This method identifies subclinical phases of joint damage and diagnoses inflammatory and dystrophic lesions.
Arthroscopy allows direct visual examination of the cavity of the affected joint. Using this method, traumatic, inflammatory or degenerative damage to the menisci, ligamentous apparatus, cartilage tissue, and synovial membranes is detected. Additionally, the doctor can perform a targeted biopsy of the affected area.
A biopsy of the synovial membranes is performed using a joint puncture or during an arthroscopic examination.
The main types of diseases are:
Arthritis is an inflammatory process in the joints with damage to the articular cartilage, synovial membrane, and subchondral bones. This disease can affect one, two, or many joints. Based on this, monoarthritis, oligoarthritis and polyarthritis are distinguished.
The most important and readily detectable sign of arthritis is synovitis. It is an inflammation of the synovial membranes of the joints, in which the membrane thickens and effusion occurs in the joints.
Despite the fact that arthritis is considered a disease of older people, it is also detected in children.
With arthrosis, all components of the joints are affected. First of all, cartilage tissue undergoes degenerative-dystrophic changes. Subchondral bones, synovial membrane, ligaments, capsules, and periarticular muscles are also damaged.
The development of arthrosis is often caused by injury, joint dysplasia, metabolic disorders and obesity. In children, the main cause of the disease is sprained ligaments, subluxation or fracture of the limbs.
When an injury occurs, as a rule, an inflammatory process is observed, which negatively affects the condition of cartilage tissue, joint fluid and soft tissue.
Arthropathy is a secondary inflammatory or degenerative-dystrophic lesion of the musculoskeletal system. This type of disease usually develops against the background of general pathology and is not related to rheumatic diseases.
When diagnosing arthropathy, the doctor carefully examines the medical history for the presence of injuries and somatic diseases. The examination reveals the area with maximum pain, the presence of swelling or swelling, the presence of crunching and clicking, and the range of motion is measured.
Additionally, a blood test is performed to determine the level of leukocytes, ESR, C-reactive protein, hemoglobin and red blood cells. A biochemical blood test can identify metabolic disorders in diabetes mellitus or gout. Enzyme immunoassay detects specific antibodies to infections or soft tissues.
Allergic diseases especially often lead to arthropathy in children, which is associated with the entry of allergens into the child’s body. This manifests itself in the form of skin rash, fever, broncho-obstructive syndrome, lymphadenopathy. Diseases can also appear in children after suffering from one or another serious illness.
Arthropathy manifests itself in adults and children in the following form:
Depending on the type of pathology, treatment is prescribed with medications, physiotherapeutic procedures and manual therapy. Learn more about the syndrome in the video in this article.
Global computerization is increasingly immobilizing humanity. This has a detrimental effect on the musculoskeletal system. Lack of physical activity destroys it.
Ankylosis is the immobility of a joint due to fusion of the articulating articular surfaces.
degeneration, prolonged immobilization - immobility due to plaster;
trauma, for example, intra-articular fracture.
immobility in the joint.
Symptoms increase gradually. At first the pain only bothers me in the morning. Then the discomfort increases. Suddenly the pain disappears. This is an indication that the joint deformity is complete. It is fixed in a bent, half-bent or straightened state.
Conservative treatment can be used:
medications: anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, hormones.
Otherwise, the operation is carried out:
Arthralgia is pain in a joint. This is a harbinger of illness or the illness itself. Appears before the onset of organic damage. It occurs as a result of irritation of the neuroreceptors of the synovial bursa. Polyarthralgia affects more than 5 joints at once. There is disagreement about whether arthralgia can be considered a separate disease.
pain of a different nature, localized or “wandering” in the joints;
myalgia – discomfort in the muscles;
Ossalgia is a feeling of aching.
The symptoms of this disease are very variable.
Taking or applying analgesics and eliminating the causes of illness. Exercise therapy, a physical therapy complex, and physiotherapy also help relieve pain.
Arthritis is inflammation of a joint. Polyarthritis affects several joints at the same time.
diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or genitourinary system.
constant pain syndrome;
stiffness in the morning;
hyperemia - redness of the skin;
Anti-inflammatory (Acetylsalicylic acid, Indomethacin, Diclofenac, Brufen) and painkillers (Capsaicin, Tylenol, Oxycodone, Methadone, Tramadol), hormones - corticosteroids (Hydrocortisone, Triamcinolone).
Arthropathy is a type of arthritis, a secondary inflammatory disease. It is included in the triad of symptoms of Reiter's syndrome or disease along with urethritis and conjunctivitis.
changes in the level of hormones of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus;
disorders of nervous regulation.
swelling in the periarticular area.
The disease always occurs secondary, against the background of other diseases. Therefore, treatment is aimed mainly at the underlying disease. Once the underlying cause is treated, the arthropathy usually disappears.
Chondrocalcinosis is a type of arthropathy accompanied by the deposition of salts in the articular cartilage.
The causes of chondrocalcinosis have not been precisely established, but a connection has been identified with the following pathologies:
destruction of the surface of the articular cartilage;
limited mobility, morning stiffness;
persistent increase in ESR - erythrocyte sedimentation rate;
dysfunction of the joints.
Intra-articular injections of corticosteroids are given. Crystals of calcium pyrophosphate salts provoke the development of inflammation. Therefore, the synovial fluid is washed to remove dangerous crystals. Physiotherapy and a massage course are indicated.
Ankylosing spondylitis or Strumpell-Bechterew-Marie disease is ankylosing spondylitis.
The causes of ankylosing spondylitis have not been precisely established. A connection with heredity and some chronic infectious diseases has been identified.
Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis:
girdling pain radiating to the spine;
back muscle tension;
ankylosis of intervertebral joints;
stopping the growth of the chest;
iridocyclitis – inflammation of the eye;
aortitis – inflammation of the aortic wall;
aortic valve insufficiency;
Kidney amyloidosis is a disorder of protein metabolism.
There is no cure. The patient's suffering is alleviated by pain relief and reduction of inflammation. Physiotherapy, exercise therapy, and manual therapy are also used. It is advisable to reduce physical activity and use an orthopedic mattress.
Still's disease is a type of arthritis. It appears in children under 16 years of age and is accompanied by systemic inflammation.
The cause of Still's disease has not been identified.
inflammatory changes in synovial fluid;
internal soft tissue swelling;
accumulation of intra-articular effusion;
bone erosion or ankylosis;
skin hyperemia with subsequent pigmentation;
enlarged liver and spleen;
retardation in physical development;
Medication methods are used. Additional measures are taken in accordance with the course of the disease.
Infectarthritis is a type of arthritis, a common infectious-allergic disease.
The causes of infectarthritis have been tentatively established:
autoimmune tissue destruction;
enlargement and deformation of joints;
pain and limited movement;
increased temperature at the site of edema;
the muscles in the affected area atrophy;
increased capillary permeability;
subcutaneous “rheumatoid” nodules appear;
narrowing of joint spaces;
marginal bone growths.
Pain is relieved by analgesics:
Anti-inflammatory drugs include adrenergic steroids and NSAIDs – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These include:
If problems with immunity occur, immunosuppressants are prescribed, for example, Azathioprine. Physical and occupational therapy is recommended. Deformations that greatly complicate the patient’s life are removed through surgery. Artificial implants are often inserted.
Periarthritis is a type of arthritis, inflammation of the periarticular tissues:
The most common cases are shoulder or glenohumeral inflammation.
slight restriction of movement in the joint.
Immobilization of the joint with a fixing bandage, physiotherapy, and anesthesia help alleviate the patient’s condition.
Gout is a type of arthritis. There is a deposition in the tissues of urate crystals - uric acid salts. Gouty nodules - tophi - are formed due to impaired renal function. More often, “bumps” appear near the joints.
poor diet with excess by-products;
drinking alcohol, especially beer;
increased catabolism of purine nucleotides, for example, during antitumor therapy;
hyperuricemia - increased concentration of uric acid in the blood;
obesity, hypertriglyceridemia or hypertension.
The patient is admitted to the hospital. Inflammation is usually relieved with Colchicine. The drug is effective, but use it with caution. Overdose is very dangerous. Indomethacin, Naproxen, Phenylbutazone, Etoricoxib may also be prescribed. Prevention of urolithiasis is also important.
Felty syndrome is a type of arthritis, a complication of rheumatoid arthritis. There is disagreement about whether this syndrome should be considered a disease or a symptom.
enlargement of the spleen - splenomegaly - and liver - hepatomegaly;
lymphadenopathy - swelling of the lymph nodes;
leukopenia – decrease in the number of leukocytes;
thrombocytopenia or thrombopenia - a decrease in the number of platelets;
brown skin pigmentation;
the formation of rheumatoid nodules - focal skin compactions;
“dry” Sjögren’s syndrome - dystrophy of the secretory glandular apparatus, accompanied by pathological dryness of all mucous membranes;
ulcers on the skin of the legs;
To block the process, medications are administered and plasmapheresis is used. Cell destruction is stopped with splenectomy - surgical removal of the spleen.
Synovioarthritis is a type of arthritis, inflammation of the synovium.
neuroendocrine and metabolic disorders;
allergic and chemical factors.
smoothing the contours of the joint;
increase in local temperature;
pain on palpation;
with the progression of the disease, the nature of the inflammatory effusion changes;
the purulent form is accompanied by fever.
The diseased joint needs complete rest; it is immobilized with special means. Apply dry heat. If there is excessive accumulation of synovial fluid, a puncture with lavage is performed.
Spondyloarthritis is a type of arthritis, multiple inflammation of the intervertebral joints.
infectious nonspecific polyarthritis - “infectious arthritis”;
Symptoms of spondyloarthritis depend on its type:
limited mobility of the spine in the morning, and then at other times;
accelerated ROE - erythrocyte sedimentation reaction;
progressive ossification of the ligamentous apparatus of the spine;
pain radiating to the thigh;
back muscle atrophy;
cervical lordosis;
kyphosis of the thoracic spine;
uneven contours of the sacroiliac joints.
The infectious focus is sanitized. Pyrazolone (Butadione, Reopirin, Pirabutol) and hormonal drugs (ACTH - Adrenocorticotropic hormone, Prednisolone, Triamcinolone) are prescribed. Exercise therapy, massage and physiotherapeutic procedures are also necessary.
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Arthrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the joint, leading to its immobility. Synonyms: osteoarthritis, arthrosis-arthritis.
The cause of arthrosis is premature aging, wear and tear of cartilage tissue, for example, due to injury, inflammation, dysplasia or metabolic disorders. Not only the cartilage, but also other parts of the joint may be affected. The process of formation of cartilage and bone tissue cells is disrupted.
severe pain when moving due to thinning of the cartilage layer;
decreased joint mobility - physical inactivity;
atrophy of muscles and ligaments;
softening, fiberization, ulceration and thinning of cartilage;
osteosclerosis – pathological hardening of the bone;
synovitis accompanied by edema.
After the inflammation is relieved, rehabilitation becomes the first priority. It is carried out with the help of exercise therapy and physiotherapy. Among the medications, in addition to anti-inflammatory drugs, anesthetics and chondoprotectors are prescribed that activate tissue regeneration: Chondroitin sulfate or Glucosamine. In severe cases, endoprosthesis replacement may be required.
Hemarthrosis is a type of arthrosis, internal hemorrhage.
The cause of hemarthrosis is an injury that causes rupture of blood vessels. In patients with hemophilia, hemorrhage can begin even with minor injuries. This sensitivity is caused by poor blood clotting.
swelling due to internal hemorrhage;
The joint is kept at rest. If the hemorrhage is small, it is enough to immobilize the limb. Otherwise, the blood is pumped out from the cavity and a pressure bandage is applied. For rehabilitation, exercise therapy and physiotherapy are prescribed. If, as a result of tissue rupture, loose fragments are found in the joint, ligaments or menisci are severely damaged, arthroscopy is performed. This surgical procedure is performed endoscopically. A “joint mouse”—a pathological particle, a fragment—is removed using instruments; this requires a second puncture. Sometimes the joint is replaced with a prosthesis. A period of rehabilitation is required, because the affected limb is immobilized for a long time.
Hydrarthrosis is a type of arthrosis, dropsy of the joint.
osteochondritis dissecans – inflammation of the cartilage;
Facet syndrome is one of the most common spinal problems. Almost half of cases of pain in the lumbar region are a symptom of this pathology. But since pain is not the only problem, and as the disease progresses, it can cause a serious deterioration in the quality of life, it is very important to know the main signs of the disease and the principles of its treatment.
The basis of the disease, facet syndrome, is a violation of individual joints of the spine. One of the main reasons for this phenomenon is a significant reduction in the space between the vertebrae due to dehydration of the intervertebral discs. As a result of such pathological processes, cartilage tissue is destroyed, and the capsules of the facet joints are unnaturally stretched, contributing to subluxation of the joints.
As a result of the destruction of the facet, a large number of problems with the musculoskeletal system, accompanied by pain, appear. The appearance of a pain factor is provoked primarily by the close proximity of the nerve roots to the damaged joints.
Very often, pathological conditions such as arthrosis and subluxation of intervertebral joints, lumbar syndrome, osteoarthritis, and spondyloarthritis are also classified as facet syndrome.
Almost any mechanical damage to the joints of the lumbar spine can provoke facet syndrome. In addition, its development is also influenced by inflammatory processes of any nature that occur in it and in tissues located in the immediate vicinity.
The main causes of facet syndrome include:
Sudden movements can easily provoke pinching of the joint capsule between two vertebrae, which also contributes to the development of facet syndrome. Also a risk factor is old age, when nutrition of the joints is significantly reduced. In addition, intensive sports with the need to apply significant loads, as well as work requiring heavy lifting, also often become the causes of the development of facet syndrome.
The main symptom of this disease is the appearance of pain. In this case, the pain can be of absolutely any nature and occur in different parts of the back. However, facet syndrome of the lumbar region is most often observed. In addition, the pathology is always accompanied by an inflammatory process, which can be detected during a diagnostic examination. In this case, the inflammatory process develops not only at the site of damage to the facet tissues, but also gradually covers other vertebrae.
Also, the main symptoms of the disease are:
In some cases, facet syndrome is accompanied by atypical phenomena in the form of a complete absence of any symptoms, up to a normal level of tension in the nerve roots.
With the disease, exacerbation of symptoms is periodically observed. And in the case of prolonged absence of proper treatment, irreversible destruction of the joints occurs. This process is accompanied by significant muscle weakness. They quickly lose their elasticity, making it extremely difficult for the patient to sit and stand.
Being the main sign of pathology, pain with facet syndrome is most often concentrated in one place and is accompanied by some limitation of muscle mobility.
The occurrence of acute pain in the neck or lumbar region most often occurs after an interval of several weeks or even months. It happens that an exacerbation occurs only once a year.
Due to the fact that the symptoms of facet syndrome are very similar to the manifestations of other diseases, its diagnosis is quite difficult. Often only a very experienced doctor is able to immediately detect such a problem.
Diagnosis of pathology by a doctor always begins with an analysis of the patient’s complaints, as well as a careful study of the medical history, to initially identify the cause of the disease. In addition, an external examination and palpation of the painful area must be carried out. And to confirm the diagnosis, hardware examination is used using the following devices:
Almost always, X-ray examination is combined with diagnostics using CT or MRI machines. This is necessary due to the fact that an x-ray allows you to see only the shape and position of the vertebrae. And for a detailed examination of them for damage, computer and magnetic resonance imaging are used. It is the use of such diagnostic methods that ensures an accurate diagnosis.
The treatment procedure for a disease such as facet syndrome requires mandatory elimination of the cause of the pathology. This is how therapy can bring maximum positive effect.
Treatment of facet syndrome can be performed conservatively or using surgical methods.
Conservative treatment must be carried out comprehensively and includes the following therapeutic procedures:
During treatment, it is imperative to reduce the load on the diseased lumbar joint as much as possible. This can be done by reducing the time spent walking, as well as reducing the time spent in a sitting and standing position. With a sedentary job and lifestyle, a patient with facet syndrome needs to take breaks and special warm-ups for muscles and joints as often as possible.
The main drugs used in the treatment of facet syndrome are:
Precise treatment, as well as the selection of medications for such a disease, should only be performed by a competent attending physician. The use of medications during the treatment of facet syndrome allows not only to stop the development of the inflammatory process, but also to relieve pain, and also to ensure an increase in the level of nutrition and tissue regeneration.
The lower back of a patient suffering from facet syndrome requires radical treatment, in the form of surgery, in cases where even long-term conservative treatment does not give a lasting positive result. Such radical therapy can be represented by the following types of manipulations:
The choice of a specific method of therapy always directly depends on the timeliness of seeking medical help, as well as the general health of the patient. And due to the seriousness of the consequences of the pathology in the absence of treatment, it is very important not to delay a visit to the doctor.
The section presents information materials about various inflammatory and degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the back and joints: bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage tissue.
Among the pathologies affecting the joints, gout occupies a special place. Changes in the patient’s body occur long before the first obvious symptoms appear, and risk factors can accelerate the course of destructive symptoms.
Borreliosis, or Lyme disease, is an infectious disease of a bacterial nature. Infection with spiral-shaped bacteria of the species Borrelia burgdorferi occurs through the bite of immature parasitiform ticks. Insects no larger than a poppy.
One of the extremely painful and unpleasant diseases is osteoporosis - pathological fragility of bones, leading to frequent fractures and difficulty recovering from them. Risk group – persons.
Spinal pathologies often cause deterioration in the condition of various organs and systems. The most dangerous situations arise when blood flow deteriorates. Especially if there is a brain disorder.
In medicine, various types of orthoses are widely used for treatment and recovery - devices for changing the structural and functional characteristics of the neuromuscular and skeletal system. They are used when.
Doctors call arthralgia a pain syndrome in one or several joints at once in the absence of objective causes of pain. It can be a symptom of many different inflammations, diseases, etc.
Joint disease caused by chronic wear and tear of cartilage is called osteoarthritis, or arthrosis for short. Arthrosis of the knee and hip joints is more common than others. Sometimes patients are diagnosed with polyosteoarthrosis. Console .
The human spine, when looking at it from the front, should be straight, the identified lateral curvatures will be a deviation from the norm, but in the anteroposterior direction, that is, when viewed from the side.
One of the common diseases leading to a person’s loss of ability to work and subsequent disability is rheumatoid arthritis. The first symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis in a sick person are:
Osteoporosis is a pathology of bone tissue that occurs as a result of disruptions in phosphorus-calcium metabolism. Osteoporosis causes bones to become brittle, significantly increasing the risk of injury or fracture. .
We bring to your attention an overview of the main diseases of the spine and joints; knowing their features and symptoms, you will be able to assess the primary signs of pathology.
Almost 90% of all back pain is caused by this diagnosis, which is characterized by degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs, including their protrusion beyond the boundaries of the spinal column. With osteochondrosis, the intervertebral disc partially loses its main function - shock absorption. First of all, this disease affects the lumbar region, as well as the thoracic and cervical regions; widespread osteochondrosis is less common.
This pathology can be caused by an inactive lifestyle, injuries, age-related changes, the patient’s obesity, impaired metabolism, high physical activity, flat feet and even uncomfortable shoes.
The first symptoms of the disease: aching, shooting pains in different parts of the spine, muscle spasms, limited movements and a reduced level of reflexes.
This anomaly is characterized by a lateral curvature of the spinal column, and also possible displacement of the vertebrae in the horizontal plane relative to the axis of the spine (torsion). Most often, this developmental defect is detected in childhood, less often it manifests itself throughout life.
The main reason for the appearance of curvature is the presence of the spine in an incorrect position for a long time. Also, the cause of the disease may be increased or unevenly distributed loads on the arms, shoulders, abnormalities in the functioning of the nervous system, and congenital pathologies.
Note that the symptoms of scoliosis may not appear for a long time, but when the disease progresses, the person quickly gets tired, has difficulty breathing, and his back ache all the time.
This diagnosis is more often made in older people; the disease occurs due to inflammation, as well as compression of the spinal nerves. More often than others, this defect affects the lumbosacral region, since the maximum amount of physical activity falls on it. Less often - cervical.
Symptoms of radiculitis include shooting pain, muscle weakness or partial atrophy.
Drying of the intervertebral disc and protrusion beyond the boundaries of the vertebrae, which occurs as a result of metabolic disorders and lack of fluid in its shell, is called protrusion. This phenomenon precedes the formation of a hernia. If the shell cannot withstand it, it ruptures, the internal contents of the disc come out, and a hernia forms.
If the process is not diagnosed in time and treatment is not started, the growing hernia will begin to put pressure on the nerve roots or on the spinal cord.
This phenomenon is very dangerous, it disrupts the functioning of internal organs, the innervation of which is carried out by the area of the spine near the damaged disc, and pressure on the spinal cord can lead to paralysis and death.
The causes of a hernia are: advanced osteochondrosis, impaired fluid exchange, foci of infections, complex injuries. Sometimes this disease is accompanied by periodic dizziness, as well as numbness of the arms and legs.
This pathology is directly related to the thinning of bone structures, which often occurs due to a lack of calcium in the human body. As a result, bone tissue becomes fragile and, under heavy loads, begins to be injured and break.
The disease manifests itself as pain in the back and limbs, poor posture and an increased risk of fractures.
With this disease, abnormal bone growths are observed at the edges of the vertebral bodies, the spinal canal is greatly narrowed, and the spinal nerve roots are compressed.
Causes of spondylosis: metabolic disorders in the body, progressive osteochondrosis, arthrosis of the intervertebral joints. The symptom of this disease is aching pain localized at the site of the pathology, which can radiate to the legs, arms and shoulders.
This disease is not so common, it is an inflammation of one of the largest nerves in the body - the sciatic.
Sciatica can occur if a person has suffered from hypothermia, infectious diseases, as well as high physical activity and spinal injuries.
The symptoms of this disease are difficult to confuse with other pathologies of the spine, since the patient feels severe shooting pain, it can spread to the buttocks, thighs, legs, and the affected area of the body may become numb.
When the spinal canal is narrowed (stenosis), pressure occurs on the spinal cord, which causes severe pain. The reasons for the development of stenosis are an advanced condition with diagnoses:
A person can feel symptoms after a long walk and physical activity: his limbs seem weakened, his lower back hurts and aches.
This is more likely not a disease, but a temporary syndrome, which is characterized by severe shooting pain in the lower back. It can appear even in a healthy person with awkward and sudden movement, or when lifting heavy objects.
Lumbago occurs more often in older people, since their intervertebral discs are already worn out. In addition to age-related changes, lumbago can also be caused by various sprains in the lumbar region or injury, less often - it is a consequence of oncological tumors in the spine, infections and rheumatic diseases.
With myositis (muscle inflammation), the patient develops hard nodules inside the muscles of the back or neck. It is dangerous because it quickly spreads to neighboring organs.
If myositis is diagnosed in the neck area, then there is a risk of inflammation spreading to the muscles of the esophagus, pharynx, and larynx. If treatment is not started in time, the affected muscle may atrophy.
The list of causes of this disease is extensive. Symptoms include localized muscle pain that worsens with physical activity.
This is a pathological condition in which the intervertebral and intercostal joints are affected, which leads to their ossification and loss of spinal mobility. It is more common in men and is inherited.
Symptoms of the onset of the disease: mild pain in the sacral part of the spine, in the groin and on the outer thighs. The pain intensifies when sneezing, coughing and at night.
This is a disease of the joints, which is characterized by increased temperature in the area of the diseased joint, it can swell, hurt, and its functions are impaired. The cause of the disease is frequent hypothermia, infections and microtraumas during physical overload. This disease also occurs in young people, but older people are more likely to experience it, since the nutrition of the joints deteriorates over the years.
It differs from arthritis in the absence of an inflammatory process; it is characterized by wear and tear of the joint cartilage. Most often, this disease manifests itself due to improper metabolism. First, blood circulation in small bone vessels is disrupted, then dystrophic changes occur in the cartilaginous lining of the closing bones of the joint, to which the bones, in defense, react by compacting and the appearance of bone outgrowths - osteophytes. This may result in the complete disappearance of cartilage and ankylosis (fusion) of the joint.
Initial symptoms: pain in the joint when it is active, crunching when moving, gradual deformation. This pathology is chronic and most often affects the joints of the knees and hip area.
Healthy joints are a luxury, the value of which is difficult to appreciate for someone who has never experienced pain when walking or experienced difficulty when trying to lift an arm or leg, turn around or sit down. Meanwhile, millions of people around the world annually seek help from orthopedic doctors with similar complaints.
About 30% of people sooner or later encounter joint pathology: even if in their youth they managed to avoid injuries or serious illnesses, by old age the “shelf life” of the skeleton comes to an end. In addition to the elderly, those at risk are those who have inherited weak bone joints, as well as athletes, workers, and those suffering from obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases.
Joint diseases such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis occur predominantly in minors. Others, such as gout, are considered the “disease of the aristocrats”: they develop due to excess meat, red wine and chocolate in the diet. It is known that joint inflammation associated with hormonal fluctuations is usually detected in the fairer sex. In men, traumatic injuries to the joints most often occur. In short, joint diseases can threaten a person regardless of social status, habits, age and gender.
Joint diseases are classified according to the nature of the pathological process.
In this case, the cause of the disease is an inflammatory reaction in response to an infectious, autoimmune or allergic process. The disease makes itself felt by pain and swelling in the joint. Symptoms can reach maximum severity within a few hours and then recede indefinitely. But behind the period of imaginary well-being lies the hidden development of the pathological process.
Some arthritis is not primarily manifested by pain, but by morning stiffness, fever, a rash on the skin over the joint, or manifestations of a primary disease complicated by damage to the musculoskeletal system (for example, disorders of the genitourinary system - Reiter's disease and gonorrheal arthritis).
The stages of inflammatory joint pathology can be differentiated thanks to an X-ray examination. Thus, at the beginning of the disease, no significant abnormalities are detected in the photographs; with stage 2 arthritis, signs of destruction of bone and cartilage tissue appear. At grade 3, the doctor will see deformation of the joint - at this point the patient feels severe limitations in mobility. Finally, stage 4 arthritis is accompanied by total changes in the joint: only surgeons can help the patient.
This group of pathologies, along with rheumatoid arthritis (in which the body’s immune system destroys the joints), includes infectious-allergic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Hoffa’s disease, gout, psoriatic arthritis, etc.
The main prevention of arthritis is the prevention of infections through vaccination and other measures to protect against diseases that can be complicated by bacterial infection of the joint (gonorrhea, scarlet fever, tonsillitis, etc.)
These diseases, as a rule, appear in older people: they are associated with wear and tear of the joint, which leads to the destruction of the cartilage responsible for shock absorption during operation. Another factor in the development of degenerative diseases is osteoporosis, which reduces bone density.
Degenerative diseases appear gradually: the first sign will be a short period of pain after a tiring day spent on your feet. Over time, the pain in the joint will cease to subside after rest, and movement in the joint will become limited. Sometimes swelling occurs in the affected area, and the joint ache when the weather changes and at night.
The severity of arthrosis is determined by examination and radiography. At the beginning of the process, only a slight reduction in the height of the gap between the bones is visible on the pictures due to the thinning of the cartilage tissue. In the second degree, the doctor will record a decrease in the joint cavity by a third of normal and the appearance of bone outgrowths or areas of dead cartilage. Finally, stage 3 arthrosis is characterized by deep, irreversible deformations of the articulation, up to ankylosis - bone fusion.
The most common cause of disability among all joint diseases is deforming osteoarthritis, affecting mainly the hip and knee joints. Also, the source of the problem may be intervertebral osteochondrosis, a typical disease of office workers.
Experts note that yoga, a set of exercises that strengthen ligaments and muscles through static loads, can be an excellent prevention of age-related changes in joints. Scientists recently found that daily 12-minute yoga sessions for 10 years help to increase the density of the bones of the hip and spine, which eliminates osteoporosis and arthrosis, preventing fractures in old age.
Congenital joint diseases attract attention from the very first days of a baby’s life: the possible consequences of the developmental defect for the child’s health depend on therapeutic measures. Thus, infants are often diagnosed with congenital hip dislocation, which is often combined with hip dysplasia. If left unattended, this disease will lead to problems with gait and posture. However, timely intervention by an orthopedist will allow congenital hip dislocation to be corrected conservatively, without surgery.
Another common congenital joint pathology is Marfan syndrome, which includes a complex of developmental disorders of internal organs. Patients with Marfan syndrome have extremely loose joints, poor posture, and a keeled chest. These are tall, thin, sickly people who, as a rule, end up in emergency rooms with dislocations and fractures. If they follow the doctor's recommendations, they can live a long time without experiencing serious health problems.
Diseases from this group do not affect the joint itself, but if left untreated they can worsen its function. This includes inflammation of the tendons (tendinitis), joint capsules (bursitis), ligaments (ligamentitis), and fascia (fibrositis). Sometimes the source of the pathological process is inflammation in the joint itself, but much more often the cause of the development of such ailments is physical activity and “coldness” of the neck or limbs.
Symptoms of diseases of the periarticular tissues have their own characteristics: unlike joint pathology, pain in the ligaments, tendons and joint capsules is felt only during active movements and is absent when the limb is affected in the office of a doctor or massage therapist. With arthritis, patients complain of “diffused” pain, and with damage to periarticular tissues, they can indicate the specific point where the pain is maximum. X-rays and MRIs make it possible to definitively determine the nature of the disease and prescribe treatment.
Many joint diseases have their own “favorite” location, thanks to which the doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis even before receiving the results of medical imaging.
Don't forget that it is important to pay attention to any symptoms - pain, stiffness, swelling, rash or crunching noise heard when moving. The overwhelming majority of joint diseases can be successfully cured in the initial stages, but in an advanced state, the diseases can disrupt life and professional plans, requiring expensive surgical intervention and complex rehabilitation measures.
To study and find methods for curing joint diseases, a separate branch of medicine has been identified - orthopedics. However, the quality of care for patients at the level of the state health care system sometimes leaves much to be desired: many clinics simply do not have a specialized specialist, and patients are examined by a general practitioner. For this reason, errors in diagnosis may occur, and the true cause of the symptoms is revealed only during hospitalization, when the consequences of the disease are already irreversible.
If you want to avoid such a scenario, take the time to search for an orthopedic clinic as soon as you are faced with suspected joint disease. Qualified doctors from a medical center such as “Healthy People” can almost always make the correct diagnosis at the first consultation and prescribe treatment that will relieve pain in a matter of hours. Here you will be helped with long-standing joint diseases, the consequences of previous injuries and other chronic pathologies that require systematic and competent assistance. Orthopedists will offer you free sets of therapeutic exercises and prescribe physical procedures that eliminate the need for daily medication. Discounts on services and price levels can pleasantly surprise even the most demanding clients.
License No. LO-77-01-008730 dated August 6, 2014, issued by the Moscow Department of Health.