Level disease is a complex epidemic ailment that often affects children and young people. In this condition, patients have a pronounced deformation of the joints of the limbs. Such a malaise is also called Kashin-Beck illness, or endemic deforming osteoarthrosis. Today it is considered a rather rare pathology, but previously it spread very widely among residents of Transbaikalia and Siberia.
Description
Level disease most often begins at an early age and develops rather slowly, immediately even imperceptibly. Its characteristic features are symmetrical deformations of the joints of the lower and upper limbs. And also there are constant crunches and pains, and later contractures appear. Often there comes a deformation of the wrist, interphalangeal, ulnar, ankle and knee bones.
The diseased are stunted, they also have short-toedness, the gait resembles a duck, and compensatory hyperlordosis appears due to the effect of the disease on the hip joints.
Due to the ailment, related problems may appear, namely:
- myocardial dystrophy of the heart;
- mental retardation;
- colitis and antacid gastritis.
Quite often, anemia and leukopenia with relative lymphocytosis spread, at which time the indicators of inflammation do not change. The X-ray diffraction pattern shows very significant transformations of the pineal glands - deformations in the form of hats. The inter-articular fissures narrow due to thinning of the cartilage. Tarsus bones and wrists flatten. The vertebrae begin to take the form of a coil, as they are affected by a level disease.
Etiology
Pathology got its name from the city of the same name, in which it was first detected, otherwise you can call it Kashin-Beck disease, according to the names of doctors who described the disease in detail. Development is associated with a violation of mineral metabolism, which can occur due to an imbalance of a number of chemical elements (manganese, phosphates and selenium) in water, plants, soil and, accordingly, in food.
Degree of defeat
Level disease, the pathogenesis of which is very ambiguous, has several degrees of damage:
1. It is characterized by a thickening and deformation of the proximal joints of the second and third fingers of the hand with minimal restriction of mobility.
2. The lesion occurs in the second and third interphalangeal joints, there is a "short-toed" and muscle dystrophy.
3. More pronounced previous syndromes and significant deformation of all cartilage with limited mobility in them.
Level disease in animals is also possible, and its stages are very similar to human, therefore, the same treatment is prescribed.
Stages
1. At the mildest stage, only 2, 3, and 4 fingers are affected. At the time of loading, the patient feels a slight pain, there is a limitation of mobility.
2. At the middle stage, a greater number of joints are affected, you can notice a significant stiffness in movement, a crunch occurs. Muscle contractures and atrophy are observed, and small growth is also characteristic - no more than 140 cm.
3. The most severe stage of pathology is the one that is accompanied by damage to all joints, their thickening and deformation. The following symptoms are distinguished:
- bear Paw;
- short neck;
- hyperlordosis;
- narrow pelvis;
- duck gait;
- flat feet.
Symptoms
Level disease develops rather slowly. For a long time, it may not cause characteristic problems, therefore it is invisible to the patient. At an early stage, only a qualified doctor can diagnose a pathology. The first signs of the development of the disease include:
- pain in the limbs;
- limitation of joint mobility;
- finger crunch;
- cramps.
In humans, a small deformation in the upper limbs occurs first. At the initial stage, pain in the fingers is not always disturbing. They are aching, irregular in nature and occur most often at night or in the evening.
In the future, the disease extends to the wrist, elbow and ankle joints. Due to pathological transformations, growth slows down, flat feet appear and gait changes. In the advanced stages, the patient complains of fragility and thinning of nails and hair, persistent heart and headaches, as well as loss of appetite. All this causes a level disease.
Causes
The disease causes significant disturbances in the growth of tubular bones and problems with their ossification. Because of this, various deformations of the joints appear. Scientists have determined that the disease is often diagnosed in settlements in which there is an increased content:
- gland;
- strontium;
- Manganese
One of the causes of Kashin-Beck disease can be an unbalanced diet, which is so often observed in modern people. Because of this, the body does not receive the necessary trace elements and calcium. It is such violations that can help spread the problem.
Diagnostics
Doctors establish a conclusion on the above symptoms. In addition, it is necessary to undergo an x-ray, which can more accurately show all pathological changes in metaphase bones and joints. Still important are the information about the area where the patient lives. It should be remembered that the problems that are observed in the patient are also often encountered with other ailments, such as chondrodystrophy, rickets and endocrine changes. Therefore, the doctor must know what a level disease is in order to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe quality therapy.
Additionally, a number of examinations are prescribed: rheumatic tests, biochemical and general blood tests, fluoroscopy.
Who to contact?
A patient with such an ailment needs quality medical care. Orthopedists and rheumatologists will be able to come to the rescue in treatment.
Specialists will conduct a qualitative examination and listen to all complaints. To cope with such an ailment as a level disease, to prescribe an effective treatment, the doctor will ask certain questions:
1. When were the symptoms noticed?
2. Have you taken any drugs recently?
3. Are there any chronic diseases?
4. Are there allergic reactions to drugs?
5. What have you been sick with lately?
After the survey, the patient will be referred for an X-ray examination, according to the results of which the doctor will be able to confirm the diagnosis and assess the degree of spread of the disease.
Treatment
Therapy is aimed at improving the quality of the affected joints, reducing muscle contractures and pain. If you consult a doctor on time, then in most cases you can achieve a full recovery. When a person came to the reception at a late stage, thanks to therapy, it is possible to slow down the processes of joint deformation.
Level disease, the treatment of which should be comprehensive, becomes less noticeable after taking minerals and vitamins. The selected drug should contain milk calcium, phosphorus and calcium gluconate. 2-3 tablets are required per day.
It is imperative to obtain vitamins C and B1, as well as drugs that are used to treat arthrosis - FiBS and ATP.
Medication is recommended to be combined with gymnastics, massages and physiotherapy.
Mud applications and radon baths have a wonderful effect. In order for the condition to significantly improve, a few procedures are enough. Therapy does not require the appointment of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.
In advanced stages, when joint changes are unavoidable, surgery may be necessary.
Prevention
The main measures for maintaining health is a rational choice of a water source with the correct content of chemical elements, places of settlement and residence, as well as regular intake of trace elements and multivitamins. Of course, nutrition should be balanced and complete, since if the joints do not receive the necessary nourishment, the ailment will negatively affect them.