To date, diseases of the musculoskeletal system have become younger. If a few decades ago it was believed that people of age suffer from similar problems, now you can see quite a lot of young people near the offices of osteopaths, vertebrologists and orthopedists. Diffuse osteoporosis is also considered a “younger” disease, requiring comprehensive diagnosis and treatment.
What is this disease?
Loss of bone density, fragility and fragility of the entire skeleton, thinning of bone tissue - all these are the main manifestations of diffuse osteoporosis. Compared with the usual form of the disease, the changes do not concern just one area, but the organism as a whole. The disease is characterized by a pronounced pain syndrome, which worries a person not only with movement or physical exertion, but also at rest. At the same time, the tendency to damage and fracture increases.
Diffuse osteoporosis is dangerous because it is diagnosed already during a period of severe changes on the part of the skeleton, because the initial manifestations are not specific, but may be completely absent.
Etiology of the disease
The normal functioning of the body is associated with two parallel processes: the formation of bone tissue and its destruction. Violation of this balance and acceleration of catabolism leads to fragility and a decrease in bone density. The following factors contribute to this process:
- Patient's age - no one canceled the biological aging of the body. After 50 years, the condition of the musculoskeletal system deteriorates, as does the functionality of most organs.
- Hormonal changes associated with menopause, removal of the female genital organs and glands, changes in the work of the adrenal glands and thyroid gland.
- Hypovitaminosis D, provoking a violation of the absorption of calcium by the bone system .
- Long-term use of medications (hormones, immunosuppressants, antacids, anticonvulsants).
- Alcohol abuse and smoking.
- Excessive exercise.
- The presence of neoplasms.
- Hereditary predisposition.
Clinical picture
For a long time, the symptoms of the disease have no manifestations, which complicates the early diagnosis. In most cases, the patient learns about his condition after trauma. Diffuse spinal osteoporosis is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- a decrease in growth by several centimeters;
- the formation of a hump, a violation of posture;
- persistent pain syndrome;
- chest deformity;
- lack of a waistline;
- decreased performance;
- fatigue.
Diffuse osteoporosis of the joints is manifested by swelling, limitation of mobility, aching pains, muscle cramps of the lower extremities.
How to suspect the development of the disease?
Not only patients, but also specialists with many years of practice, can confuse osteoporosis with inflammatory joint diseases. Often, these pathologies appear simultaneously, but these are two completely different ailments that require a separate consideration.
Unfortunately, diffuse osteoporosis of bones makes itself felt after fractures. The most characteristic injuries are compression fractures of the spine, as well as the femur or radius, occurring after minimal exposure to a traumatic factor. According to statistics, half of the patients who received compression injuries are unaware of their appearance. In addition to aching back pain, no manifestations may bother.
After a few months, even the pain syndrome disappears, and the patient is unaware of his problems until the next trauma. Persistent soreness has nothing to do with such specific fractures and may indicate myelogenous leukemia or bone metastases.
X-ray examination in order to determine the initial manifestations of the disease is shown to all persons included in the risk group. This includes people with the following conditions:
- early onset of menopause;
- long-term use of hormonal drugs;
- the presence of frequent fractures under the age of 40 years;
- body mass index below normal;
- complicated family history of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Diagnostic measures
Diffuse osteoporosis requires a comprehensive treatment, however, it is possible only after a complete examination of the body, which allows to determine the condition of all skeleton bones. After collecting a history of life and disease, the specialist sends the patient for an X-ray examination, which allows to evaluate the following signs of diffuse osteoporosis:
- reduced bone density;
- thinning of the vertebrae;
- indentation of intervertebral discs in the vertebral bodies;
- the presence of osteophytes (proliferation of bone tissue in the form of tubercles or spines).
X-ray is an informative method of examination, however, changes are determined without specifying nuances. Only the big picture is visible. For a more in-depth diagnosis, bone densitometry is used to determine the "amount" of bone tissue.
A similar study can be carried out using any of the standard diagnostic methods, however, X-ray absorptiometry, which allows determining the bone mineral density, is considered the most common. The patient is placed on a special table along which the scanner moves. The procedure does not require special preparation. RA has two diagnostic methods: peripheral allows you to specify the density of the bones of the hand, wrist or calcaneus, and the central one - of the femur and spinal bones.
The next method used to differentiate the disease is computed tomography. The survey results allow you to calculate specific density indices, depending on the body weight and age of the patient.
Principles of Therapy
Diffuse osteoporosis, the treatment of which should be carried out in specialized centers of a narrow focus, requires the participation of several specialists (endocrinologist, rheumatologist, neurologist). The choice of the participation of doctors depends on the cause of the disease. The most commonly involved specialist is an endocrinologist.
Therapy of osteoporosis must be carried out simultaneously with the treatment of the disease that caused its appearance (thyrotoxicosis, hypothyroidism, hypogonadism, etc.). Diffuse osteoporosis requires the use of the following groups of medicines:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - relieve pain, eliminate swelling, stop signs of an inflammatory reaction (Movalis, Revmoxicam).
- Means that slow down the destruction of bone tissue ("Osteokhin", "Myakaltsik").
- Calcium preparations.
- Vitamin D Derivatives
- Drugs that stimulate the work of osteoblasts ("Ossin").
- Steroids that affect bone regeneration ("Teriparatide", "Testosterone").
- Calcitonin in violation of the thyroid gland.
- In the menopause, estrogen and progesterone preparations are prescribed as replacement therapy.
- For topical use, ointments with anti-inflammatory components are used.
The use of physiotherapy, in particular, phonophoresis, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, massage, elements of therapeutic gymnastics, is allowed.
Preventive measures
Proper nutrition is considered one of the factors for the prevention of not only diffuse, but also other types of osteoporosis. A sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals, especially calcium, must come along with the products. Quitting smoking and alcohol abuse also occupy an important place in prevention.
Older people and those who are at risk for this disease should undergo periodic examinations to determine the development of the disease in the early stages.
Conclusion
Treatment of diffuse osteoporosis is a complex and lengthy process, which may not always have a favorable result. It is easier to prevent the disease, following the advice of specialists than to spend a huge amount of money, time and effort to fight it.