In modern medical practice, cases of the development of myositis in children are quite often recorded. This pathology is accompanied by an inflammatory process, the foci of which are located in the striated muscles. With timely diagnosis and proper treatment, the prognoses for small patients are favorable. Nevertheless, it is very important to notice the first signs in time.
Why does myositis develop? Symptoms and treatment, risk factors, diagnostic methods, possible complications - this is the information that every parent must be familiar with.
Forms of myositis depending on the cause of development
Of course, the inflammatory process can develop under the influence of various factors that are worth exploring:
- Most often, myositis is the result of hypothermia. This happens, for example, if a child spends time in the drafts, sits near a working air conditioner, or goes out into the fresh, cool air after games.
- Often, cases of post-traumatic neck myositis in a child are recorded. This is often the result of, for example, a strong blow, bruise and other mechanical damage to the bone and / or muscle apparatus.
- Infectious myositis in children can also hardly be considered a rarity. The inflammatory process in the muscles can be a complication of the flu or another catarrhal disease, a bacterial infection.
- The statodynamic form of the disease is quite common. In this case, myositis develops if the child maintains an uncomfortable body position for a long time.
Of course, during the diagnosis it is very important to determine what exactly caused the development of myositis, since in many respects the choice of therapeutic methods depends on this.
Classification scheme. Types of inflammation
We have already considered the main causes of the development of the inflammatory process. Nevertheless, myositis in children can take various forms. If we talk about the duration of the course of the disease, then stands out:
- The acute form of myositis. The ailment proceeds with severe symptoms of intoxication, with proper treatment ends with a complete recovery after a few weeks.
- The chronic form is said to be if the patient has been troubled for three months or longer. The clinical picture in this case may be more lubricated, but in the absence of therapy, the ailment leads to the development of a mass of dangerous, sometimes irreversible, complications.
Myositis in children can be accompanied by damage to various muscle groups. Depending on this, the following forms of the disease are distinguished:
- cervical myositis;
- thoracic;
- dorsal form of the disease (in this case, muscles of any part of the back can be affected);
- myositis of the upper and / or lower extremities;
- inflammation of the muscles of the shoulder girdle.
Naturally, the clinical picture largely depends on which particular muscle group is affected, what kind of inflammatory process takes on.
How is myositis manifested in children?
Of course, the symptoms of the disease directly depend on the localization of the inflammatory process. Diagnosis is complicated by the fact that the child (especially if it is a baby in the first year of life) can not always complain and explain what exactly bothers him.
The acute inflammatory process is accompanied by an increase in body temperature (sometimes up to 39 - 40 degrees). Other signs of intoxication appear. The child becomes moody, sleeps poorly, loses his appetite. There is weakness, chills, excessive sweating.
Myositis is accompanied by severe muscle spasm. Hard knots can be felt under the skin. Palpation causes severe pain. The kid suffers from stiffness (for example, it is difficult for him to turn his head, move his limbs, and sit). Symptoms of the disease also include swelling. Sometimes the skin over the damaged area of the muscle turns red, it becomes hot to the touch.
Having noticed such symptoms, you need to contact a specialist as soon as possible. In no case can one ignore the ailment, since there is a likelihood of developing dangerous complications.
Cervical myositis: features of the clinical picture
Cervical myositis in children is diagnosed quite often. In this case, the main symptom is pain in the neck. Unpleasant sensations disturb the child almost constantly in any position. Constant stiffness in movements appears, it is difficult for a baby to turn or tilt his head.
Often discomfort spreads to other parts of the body, as a result of which patients suffer from acute headaches and toothaches. According to statistics, in most cases, neck muscle inflammation extends to the shoulder girdle, as a result of which the clinical picture is supplemented by stiffness.
Dorsal myositis
Dorsal myositis is indicated if the foci of inflammation are localized in the back. As a rule, pathology affects the rectus muscles of the back. The child suffers from stiffness of movements, back and lower back pain, muscle spasms. Any activity is accompanied by the appearance of very unpleasant sensations. With such a disease, a small patient, as a rule, feels more comfortable when lying on his back.
Thoracic myositis: what symptoms should I look for?
Inflammation in the thoracic region is also considered a very common form of the disease. In this case, the disease affects not only the structure of the chest, but also the intercostal muscles. As a result of the inflammatory process, even respiratory movements are accompanied by pain. The child is constantly suffering from discomfort.
Diagnostic measures
If any alarming symptoms appear, you need to show the child to the doctor. As a rule, a general examination is enough to suspect the presence of an inflammatory process. Palpation of the affected areas is accompanied by acute pain. Muscles swell, the skin turns red, you can feel the muscle nodes.
If myositis develops in children after the flu or other infectious disease, then blood tests (including biochemical) and other additional studies are required. Informative are such diagnostic procedures as x-rays of the affected part of the spine and electromyography.
Possible complications
Many parents are interested in additional information about the symptoms and treatment of myositis in the child. It should be understood that in this case, timely diagnosis is extremely important. In the absence of therapy, an ailment can lead to very dangerous complications. A constant muscle spasm leads to their gradual atrophy. In turn, this entails degenerative disorders in the formation of the skeleton, increases the risk of osteochondrosis and herniated discs in the future.
Drug treatment
Drug therapy includes the use of various drugs. Anti-inflammatory drugs help to cope with the inflammatory process, relieve fever and quickly get rid of pain. Effective in this case are drugs such as Nurofen, Ibufen. They are available in the form of a suspension for oral administration, which is allowed to be used to treat children from the first months of life.
The treatment regimen also includes preparations for external use. For example, ointments for myositis of the neck in children (as well as any other muscle group) are considered effective, in which components such as menthol, camphor and methyl salicylate are present. Such funds have an irritating and warming effect, they can normalize blood circulation and relieve pain. Such drugs as Mentolatum Balm, Sanitas, Menovazin are effectively considered.
Sometimes anti-inflammatory ointments are also used, for example, Fast Relief, Finalgon, Fastum Gel. They quickly eliminate pain, relieve swelling and redness. But such funds can only be used by children over 12 years old. In any case, it is impossible to use medications without permission, you must first consult with specialists.
Physiotherapeutic Activities
Drug treatment must be supplemented with various physiotherapeutic procedures:
- Often a small patient is referred to an osteopath. Of course, in this case, the choice of a specialist should be taken with all possible responsibility. The course of treatment allows you to relieve tension from the muscles, improve blood circulation, remove toxins and eliminate fluid stagnation in the tissues.
- Effective is a therapeutic massage. Just a few courses can increase blood flow to the muscles, relieve spasm, improve lymph circulation, activate tissue metabolism and get rid of pain.
- Treatment of myositis is sometimes supplemented by magnetotherapy. Such procedures perfectly cope with the inflammatory process, strengthen muscles, help fight weakness and pain. By the way, this treatment strengthens local immunity and positively affects the functioning of the immune system as a whole. Patients note that the discomfort that accompanies myositis weakens after the first procedure.
- Miostimulation also belongs to the list of popular techniques for myositis. The affected muscles are affected by electric current, which allows you to normalize metabolism at the cellular level, relieve spasm, cope with pain and the inflammatory process.
Traditional medicine
Of course, at home, you can do rubbing and compresses that relieve pain and accelerate the healing process:
- It is recommended to apply crushed boiled potatoes on the affected area (it should be warm). After the compress, the skin is rubbed with cologne and wrapped in a warm shawl.
- Cabbage compresses are also considered effective. A leaf of fresh cabbage should be rubbed with household soap or natural honey, and then applied to the affected area. The compress is fixed with a bandage or scarf and left overnight.
Of course, such home-made medications can be used only with the permission of the attending pediatrician.
Prevention of myositis in children. Predictions for Patients
The prognosis for such a disease is favorable, but only with the correct treatment. Refusal of treatment is fraught with consequences: the pain subsides over time, but the structure of the muscles is broken, which in the future can lead to the development of intervertebral hernia.
Prevention of such a disease is quite simple. Since myositis often develops in children after acute respiratory viral infections, it is worth remembering that all infectious ailments should respond to therapy on time. It is recommended to avoid drafts, especially if the child is hot after an active game.
It is important to monitor the weight and physical development of the child. As you know, the formation of a stable muscle corset is facilitated by regular sports, physiotherapy. A small patient is not recommended to sit in the same position for hours (even if it comes to learning). Every 30 - 40 minutes you need to do at least a light workout. Active games, visits to sports sections, in short, a mobile lifestyle, will positively affect the child’s development.