Inflammation of the periosteum (periostitis) can be chronic and acute. It depends on the features of its course and development. There is also another way to classify inflammation, which we want to bring to your attention. Our main task is to acquaint with the features of each type of inflammation and its clinical picture.
Simple inflammation of the periosteum. The cause of this disease is trauma (it is possible to develop simple periostitis after bruises, fractures) and the immediate proximity of the inflammatory process in muscles or bone tissues. This is inflammation of the periosteum, the symptoms of which are expressed in the form of pain and swelling of the site of inflammation, which most often occurs in the tibia, in its periosteum. Often, this form of the disease is eliminated on its own, without medical treatment and consequences, but there are cases of osteophytes (growths on bone tissue), as well as deposits of calcium salts.
Fibrous inflammation. The type of this disease does not have an acute form - only chronic. The reason for its development is the constant irritation of the periosteum, which occurs as a result of leg ulcer, as well as under the influence of bone necrosis (in the presence of chronic arthritis). This disease is characterized by the formation of fibrous tissue, which leads to bone destruction. This is inflammation of the periosteum, the treatment of which is aimed at eliminating the cause, not the effect, and with proper and timely medical intervention, it is quickly eliminated.
One of the species that requires an immediate response is the development of purulent inflammation of the periosteum. In this case, the infection enters the periosteum through a wound from adjacent tissues. The main signs of this disease is an increase in body temperature to 39 degrees, chills. A general blood test diagnoses leukocytosis. In the affected area there is a sharp accumulation of pus. When you click on a place filled with pus, a fluctuation is observed - fluctuations caused by the touch of fingers over the inflamed area. As a rule, the disease proceeds in an acute form, but sometimes there are more protracted cases that occur, as a rule, in patients with weakened immunity. Rarely, but there is a development of purulent periostitis without fever and pain symptoms.
There is also inflammation of the periosteum serous-albuminous. It is characterized by the formation of a large amount of exudate (a liquid of proteinaceous nature, which contains blood particles and has a dark red hue). This cluster can reach two liters. The harm of the exudate is that its accumulation contributes to the detachment of the periosteum from the bone. As a result, the development of bone necrosis can be observed. The characteristic symptoms of this type of disease are pain and constant swelling where the focus of inflammation is.
Chronic inflammation of the periosteum is called ossifying. It occurs with the constant action of the stimulus on the periosteum. In this case, there is an increase in the size of bone tissue in the area of the inflammatory process. If the stimulus is eliminated, the natural processes of bone formation resume. When the development of pathology occurs quickly, this can lead to the detachment of the periosteum along with pus inside. Pus, if a large amount has accumulated, tears the periosteum, and in the places of rupture bone tissue begins to form. The disease continues to develop, and more rapidly.
Any of these diseases requires urgent specialist advice and immediate treatment.