To date, diseases of the musculoskeletal system have become younger. If a few decades ago it was believed that aged people suffer from such 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 "rejuvenated" disease requiring complex 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 any one area, but the body as a whole. The disease is characterized by a pronounced pain syndrome, which worries a person not only during movement or physical exertion, but also at rest. In parallel, the susceptibility to injuries and fractures increases.
DiffuseOsteoporosis is dangerous because it is diagnosed already during the period of severe changes in the skeleton, because the initial manifestations are not specific, and may even be absent.
Etiology of 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 the acceleration of catabolism leads to fragility and a decrease in bone density. The following factors contribute to this process:
- The age of the patient - the biological aging of the body has not been canceled. After the age of 50, 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 functioning of the adrenal glands and thyroid gland.
- Hypovitaminosis D, which provokes a violation of the absorption of calcium by the bone system.
- Long-term medication (hormones, immunosuppressants, antacids, anticonvulsants).
- Alcohol abuse and smoking.
- Excessive exercise.
- Presence of neoplasms.
- Hereditary predisposition.
Clinical picture
For a long time, the symptoms of the disease have no manifestations, which complicates early diagnosis. In most cases, the patient learns about his condition after traumatization. Diffuse osteoporosis of the spine is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- decreaseseveral centimeters tall;
- hump formation, poor posture;
- constant pain syndrome;
- chest deformity;
- no waist line;
- decrease in performance;
- fatigue.
Diffuse osteoporosis of the joints is manifested by swelling, limited mobility, aching pain, muscle cramps of the lower extremities.
How to suspect the development of the disease?
Not only patients, but also professionals 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 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, which occur after minimal exposure to a traumatic factor. According to statistics, half of the patients who have received compression injuries are unaware of their occurrence. 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 traumatization. Persistent tenderness has nothing to do with these specific fractures and may indicate myelogenous leukemia or bone metastases.
X-ray examination 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 menopause;
- long-term use of hormonal drugs;
- presence of frequent fractures before the age of 40;
- body mass index below normal;
- complicated family history of musculoskeletal disorders.
Diagnostic measures
Diffuse osteoporosis requires a full-fledged complex treatment, but it is possible only after a complete examination of the body, which allows to determine the condition of all the bones of the skeleton. After collecting an anamnesis of life and disease, the specialist directs the patient to an X-ray examination, which allows to assess the following signs of diffuse osteoporosis:
- reduced bone density;
- thinning of the vertebrae;
- pressing the intervertebral discs into the vertebral bodies;
- 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 the nuances. You can only see the big picture. For a more in-depth diagnosis, bone densitometry is used to determine the "amount" of bone tissue.
Such a study can be carried out using any of the standard diagnostic methods, but the most common is x-rayabsorptiometry, which allows to determine the mineral density of the bone. 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 determine the density of the bones of the hand, wrist or calcaneus, and the central one - the femur and bones of the spine.
The next method used to differentiate the disease is computed tomography. The results of the examination allow the calculation of 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 participation of doctors depends on the cause of the development of the disease. The most frequently referred 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:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - relieve pain, eliminate swelling, stop signs of an inflammatory reaction ("Movalis", "Revmoxicam").
- Means that slow down the destruction of bone tissue ("Osteochin", "Miacalcic").
- Calcium preparations.
- Vitamin D derivatives.
- Drugs that stimulate osteoblasts("Ossin").
- Steroids affecting bone regeneration ("Teriparatide", "Testosterone").
- Calcitonin for thyroid disorders.
- Estrogen and progesterone preparations are prescribed in menopause as replacement therapy.
- For local application, ointments with anti-inflammatory components are used.
The use of physiotherapy is allowed, in particular, ultraphonophoresis, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, massage, elements of therapeutic exercises.
Preventive measures
Proper nutrition is considered one of the factors in the prevention of not only diffuse, but also other types of osteoporosis. Together with the products, a sufficient amount of vitamins and trace elements, especially calcium, should be supplied. Smoking cessation and alcohol abuse also play an important role in prevention.
Older people and those who are at risk for this disease should undergo periodic examinations to determine the development of the disease at an early stage.
Conclusion
Treatment of diffuse osteoporosis is a complex and lengthy process that may not always have a favorable outcome. It is easier to prevent a disease by following the advice of experts than to spend a huge amount of money, time and effort to fight it.
