Fortunately for everyone, such a rare disease as necrotizing fasciitis is quite rare. This disease is a very serious bacterial infection. What are the causes of its occurrence, and how can it be cured?
Carnivorous bacteria that cause this disease enter the soft tissues and fascia, which is the membrane of the tissue that covers the muscles. It can occur on the limbs after minor injuries or after various surgical interventions. Infection caused by group A streptococcus occurs most often due to the penetration of this pathogen into the body even with the most minor injuries of the skin. Mixed bacterial infections are a frequent consequence of surgery. Necrotic fasciitis occurs if several specific conditions coincide: a person has a cut, bruise or an open skin wound through which bacteria enter the tissue; there was contact with a person who is a carrier of the bacterium (most often it is an invasive serotype or a strain of streptococcus). Having penetrated the human body, this bacterium quickly produces and produces around itself enzymes and toxins that destroy soft tissues and fascia. Due to this continuous process, they quickly become gangrenous. These gangrenous tissues should only be removed surgically, because otherwise, the patient's life could be fatal.
If necrotizing fasciitis is detected in the early stages of the disease during surgical removal of the skin and soft tissue, a small amount can be removed, and only removal of subcutaneous fat and tissue will be required. Bacteria may not attack muscle or bone tissue, although no one is safe from this. In the most severe cases, amputation of the affected limb is mandatory. If doctors are completely sure that this infection is stopped, the wound is closed, usually with a skin transplant. Necrotic fasciitis is one of the fastest progressing infections. That is why the timeliness of treatment is the most important factor in the process of saving the patient.
The causes of this disease are tissue damage by streptococcal infection or anaerobic and aerobic bacteria. These pathogens spread in the subcutaneous tissue from an adjacent ulcer or injury. The greatest risk of the disease is in patients with diabetes. Necrotic fasciitis leads to tissue ischemia due to obstruction of the subcutaneous vessels and causes necrotic skin lesions.
Symptoms of the disease:
- intense pain;
- the affected tissue acquires a red color, becomes hot and swollen, bubbles form;
- high fever, hypotension, tachycardia, decreased mental activity;
- the development of gangrene.
The diagnosis is established upon examination and is confirmed by high leukocytosis, the presence of gases in the tissues, and a deterioration in hemodynamic and metabolic status.
Treatment of necrotic fasciitis is the use of several types of antibiotics and surgical intervention. In approximately 30% of cases, this fasciitis results in the death of the patient. Old age, delayed diagnosis and treatment significantly worsen the prognosis.
A variety of fasciitis is plantar fasciitis, which is an aseptic inflammation located in the area of attachment to the calcaneal tuber of the plantar aponeurosis. The mechanism of development of this disease is directly associated with irritation of the periosteum during exertion, tearing of the plantar fascia and the development of inflammation in this area. Clinical picture: pain in the heel that occurs after long walking and wearing shoes.
Plantar fasciitis, the treatment of which is to reduce the tension of the fascia of the plantar region, can be cured with the help of special inserts in shoes, a course of physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, shock wave therapy.