Ankylosis: causes, symptoms and modern treatment methods
Ankylosis represents a serious disease characterized by complete or partial immobility of a joint as a result of pathological changes in articular tissues. This pathology significantly limits movement and can lead to a considerable reduction in the patient's quality of life. Understanding the mechanisms of disease development, its manifestations and modern approaches to therapy is extremely important for timely seeking medical help.
What is ankylosis and mechanisms of its development
The term "ankylosis" comes from the Greek word meaning "bending" or "curvature". In medical practice, this refers to a pathological condition in which fusion of bone surfaces of the joint occurs or formation of fibrous adhesions between them. As a result of such changes, the joint loses its functionality and becomes immobile.
Several forms of this disease are distinguished depending on the nature of pathological processes. Bony ankylosis is characterized by complete fusion of articular surfaces by bone tissue, which leads to absolute immobility. The fibrous type develops with the formation of scar adhesions between joint structures, while minimal mobility is preserved.
Most often, large joints of the musculoskeletal system are affected: hip, knee, shoulder and ankle joints. A special place is occupied by ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint, which can significantly disrupt chewing and speech functions.
Symptoms of the disease
The main manifestation of the pathology is limitation of mobility in the affected joint. In the initial stages, the patient may note stiffness of movements, especially pronounced in the morning hours. As the process progresses, the volume of movements gradually decreases up to complete immobility.
Pain syndrome does not always accompany this condition. In bony forms, pain is usually absent since inflammatory processes have already ended. Fibrous variants may be accompanied by discomfort when attempting movement.
Limb deformity is a characteristic sign of a long-existing process. The joint becomes fixed in a certain position, which leads to changes in normal anatomy. In lesions of the lower extremities, lameness, gait and posture disorders may develop.
Muscle atrophy in the area of the affected joint develops as a consequence of the absence of load. Surrounding soft tissues also undergo changes, lose elasticity and normal functionality.
TMJ ankylosis: features of the clinical picture
Temporomandibular joint involvement has specific manifestations that significantly affect daily life. The main symptom is limitation of mouth opening, which can vary from insignificant to complete absence of lower jaw mobility.
Patients experience difficulties when eating, especially when consuming solid foods. Articulation is disturbed, which manifests as changes in speech and diction. Performing oral hygiene procedures becomes difficult.
In unilateral lesion, facial asymmetry develops, creating a cosmetic defect. In children, this pathology can lead to impaired growth and development of the maxillofacial area, formation of incorrect occlusion.
Causes of ankylosis development
Traumatic injuries are the most frequent cause of pathology development. Intra-articular fractures, especially with damage to articular surfaces, create conditions for the formation of bony fusions. Prolonged immobilization after trauma can also contribute to the development of fibrous changes.
Inflammatory joint diseases represent another important group of causes. Purulent arthritis, especially with untimely or inadequate treatment, often leads to destruction of cartilaginous structures and subsequent fusion of bone surfaces. Rheumatoid arthritis and other systemic inflammatory processes can also end with the formation of immobility.
Infectious lesions of bones and joints, such as osteomyelitis, create conditions for inflammatory changes and subsequent fusion. Tuberculous lesion of the musculoskeletal system was historically one of the main causes of this pathology.
Congenital developmental anomalies may manifest as impaired formation of articular structures. Some hereditary diseases, for example ankylosing spondylarthritis (Bechterew's disease), are characterized by progressive lesion of the spine and peripheral joints.
Diagnosis and modern examination methods
Clinical examination is the first stage of the diagnostic process. An orthopedist or traumatologist evaluates the range of motion, deformities, condition of surrounding tissues. Palpation allows revealing soreness, changes in bone structures.
Radiography remains the main method of radiological diagnosis. X-rays reveal bone fusions, deformations of articular surfaces, changes in bone structure. This method is especially informative for revealing bone forms of the disease.
Computed tomography (CT) provides more detailed visualization of bone structures. This method allows precisely determining the nature and extent of pathological changes, which is important for planning surgical intervention.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is informative for assessing the condition of soft tissues, cartilaginous structures, ligaments and muscles. This study helps reveal inflammatory changes, assess tissue viability.
Laboratory tests are prescribed when inflammatory nature of the disease is suspected. General and biochemical blood tests, inflammation indicators help clarify the activity of the process and choose adequate therapy.
Modern treatment methods
Conservative therapy has limited possibilities in this pathology. In early stages of fibrous forms, physiotherapeutic procedures are applied: electrophoresis, UHF, magnetotherapy. Physical therapy is aimed at maintaining the maximum possible range of motion.
Medication treatment includes anti-inflammatory drugs for relief of pain syndrome and inflammation. In active inflammatory processes, antibiotics and hormonal agents are prescribed.
Surgical intervention is the main method of function restoration in formed ankylosis. Arthroplasty involves removal of pathological adhesions and restoration of joint mobility. In severe cases, endoprosthetics is performed - replacement of the affected joint with an artificial implant.
Arthrodesis is applied in situations when restoration of mobility is impossible. The goal of the operation is fixation of the joint in a functionally advantageous position to provide support and reduce painful sensations.
Features of ankylosis treatment in Spain and Barcelona
The Spanish healthcare system offers high-quality medical care to patients with musculoskeletal diseases. Barcelona, as one of Europe's leading medical centers, has modern clinics specializing in orthopedics and traumatology.
In Spanish medical institutions, the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies are applied. Many Barcelona clinics are equipped with modern equipment for performing minimally invasive surgical interventions, which allows shortening the rehabilitation period and improving treatment results.
Our dental clinic in Barcelona "Corona Dental" is equipped with modern equipment for performing minimally invasive surgical interventions, which allows shortening the rehabilitation period and improving treatment results.
The comprehensive approach to therapy in Spain includes not only surgical treatment, but also expanded rehabilitation programs. Sanatorium treatment on the Mediterranean coast creates optimal conditions for recovery after operations.
Spanish specialists actively apply regenerative medicine methodologies, including stem cell therapy and plasmolifting. These innovative approaches show promising results in treating degenerative joint diseases.
Rehabilitation and prognosis
The recovery period plays a key role in achieving optimal treatment results. Physiotherapy begins in the early postoperative period and includes various methodologies: massage, therapeutic gymnastics, mechanotherapy.
Modern rehabilitation programs are personalized taking into account individual patient characteristics, the nature of pathology and the intervention performed. Psychological support plays an important role, since function restoration requires prolonged efforts and patience.
The disease prognosis depends on multiple factors: patient age, cause of pathology development, timeliness of seeking medical care, volume of lesion. With adequate treatment and complete rehabilitation, significant improvement of functionality and quality of life is achieved.
Preventive measures are aimed at trauma prevention, timely treatment of inflammatory joint diseases, regular observation in systemic pathologies. Maintaining physical activity and healthy lifestyle is important.
Conclusion
Ankylosis remains a serious medical problem requiring a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment. Modern achievements in orthopedics and traumatology allow successfully restoring function of affected joints and returning patients to full life. Early diagnosis and timely initiation of therapy are the guarantee of favorable disease outcome.
