Ankylosis is a disease that consists in the complete immobility of the joints. The reason for its appearance is pathological changes caused most often due to injuries, arthritis or arthrosis. It manifests itself gradually, at first the difficulties in the movement of the joints are not so noticeable, but over time, gradually they completely lose mobility.
Causes
There are several reasons for the appearance of a disease such as joint ankylosis. One of the most common is inflammation of the joints, i.e. arthritis or arthrosis. Also, the cause may be a fracture inside the joint, which arose because its surface collapsed, or an open injury with the release of pus, which leads to the destruction of the joint surface. In addition, it turns out that ankylosis is a disease that can occur due to a long stay in a cast. There are also cases when ankylosis becomes a consequence of a surgical infection in the treatment of any other disease.
Varieties
Ankylosis can be divided into two groups: bone and fibrous. Their main difference is that in the first case mobility is completely absent, and in the second case it is partially present. This is due to the fact that with fibrous ankylosis between the ends of the joints there is a small layer of fibrous tissue, which may contain cartilage residues.
There is also a division into complete and incomplete ankylosis. With full joints are completely immobilized and this can not be changed, and with incomplete there is a slight mobility, which, most likely, can be developed and increased.
Contracture
Contracture is a worsening of joint mobility. This is due to damage to the soft tissues, which leads to a change in the functions of the joint, that is, inactive. In simple words, these are difficulties when bending or bending, for example, arms or legs. Joint contracture is a very common disease that almost every person encounters sooner or later in his life. Although the hands most often do not experience such heavy loads as the legs, all the same, even the slightest changes in the motor function of the joints makes itself felt as an inconvenience to doing even the most familiar household things.
The contracture can be not only acquired, but also congenital. Congenital contracture is quite rare, since the main reason for its appearance is underdevelopment of muscles. And acquired is a common occurrence, as it can appear due to injuries or inflammations. In addition, stress can cause stiffness, as they damage the nervous system. That is why with severe stress in people, the neck may jam or, for example, leg mobility after a stroke is complicated. If the joint is in the wrong position for a long time (several weeks), then this can lead to irreversible consequences. Persistent immobility can develop into a disease such as ankylosis of the joint, the disease is quite frequent and serious.
Symptoms
Ankylosis is a disease whose main defining sign is joint immobility. Everything else depends on the position in which the limb was fixed. For example, if this happened at the moment when the leg was in a bent state, then in the future it will lead to great difficulties when walking. And if the fixation occurred when the leg was in a slightly bent state or was completely straight, then everything is less scary, since in this case a person will be able to walk.
Fibrous ankylosis is accompanied by joint pain, although mobility is partially preserved. With bone ankylosis there is neither mobility nor pain.
Hip Ankylosis
Hip joint immobility causes difficulty walking and lameness. In women, in some cases, this can cause difficulty in having sexual intercourse. The presence of pain is not an obligatory factor, in some cases painful sensations may be present, and in some not. Bilateral ankylosis in the erect position, although it causes difficulties when walking, but still it is possible. In this case, it is necessary to move by alternating forward movement of the left or the right half of the pelvis. If bilateral ankylosis is in a vicious position, then walking, unfortunately, is impossible.
Diagnostics
If you have any suspicions that you have ankylosis or contracture, you must immediately go for an examination. Such questions should be addressed to the surgeon or traumatologist. The examination includes the analysis of patient complaints and answers to questions about the condition of the joints, the study of the medical history and examination of the affected joint for mobility. After examining a specialist, the patient goes to take an x-ray. Also, the patient must undergo magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography.
Treatment
Treatment of ankylosis has two ways: conservative and surgical. His choice is influenced by the variety of the disease and the tests. But in any case, treatment should be started as early as possible. In addition, it should be comprehensive.
With conservative treatment, the main goal is the complete resumption of joint mobility, the normalization of its functions, the elimination of pain and muscle recovery. The conservative way of treatment includes special gymnastics, which is aimed at alternating tension of the limbs that are in a plaster cast, manual therapy, the use of non-steroidal drugs that will prevent inflammation, therapeutic massage. Also, with this method of treatment, it is often prescribed to take pain suppressants and hormones.
For the complexity of treatment, various physiotherapy methods are most often prescribed, such as electrophoresis, sinusoidally modeled currents (SMT) and ultrahigh-frequency therapy (UHF). Thanks to this, swelling, inflammation, pain, and mobility are more effective.
If the joint is not completely motionless, that is, the ankylosis has a fibrous form, then the treatment of the joint ankylosis can take place due to the implementation of the swinging movements. But this procedure should be accompanied by anesthesia, since the pains are quite strong. In addition, with fibrous ankylosis, surgery is also permissible, namely arthroplasty, in which the joints are disconnected, new articular surfaces are created, and gaskets made of plastic tissue are placed between them. If the whole problem is the inconvenience of the position of the limb, then this can be corrected by straightening the limb. If, nevertheless, the case is complex and the diagnosis of ankylosis is made, implants are what most likely await the patient.
Prevention
In order for the joint damage not to develop into ankylosis, it is necessary to start treatment in a timely manner and in no case neglect this problem. Otherwise, the situation will only worsen and the situation will become even more serious. Treatment should include the implementation of special exercises, taking medications.
Therapeutic gymnastics is a very important point. It helps to restore the affected joint thanks to certain movements that develop it. In addition, the exercise will prevent damage to neighboring joints. Periodic physiotherapy, massage and treatment in specialized sanatorium resorts also do not interfere.
There are several reasons for the appearance of a disease such as joint ankylosis. One of the most common is inflammation of the joints, i.e. arthritis or arthrosis. Also, the cause may be a fracture inside the joint, which arose because its surface collapsed, or an open injury with the release of pus, which leads to the destruction of the joint surface. In addition, it turns out that ankylosis is a disease that can occur due to a long stay in a cast. There are also cases when ankylosis becomes a consequence of a surgical infection in the treatment of any other disease.