The term "reactive arthritis" was first proposed in the late 60s of the last century to refer to arthritis, which arose after suffering iersenioza, but in the joints while there was no evidence of infectious agents. Later, the term became associated with certain infections of the gastrointestinal tract, genito-urinary organs and nasopharynx.

What is reactive arthritis and its causes

Reactive arthritis (arthritis) is inflammation in one or more joints, which evolved after infections caused by different infectious agents, including bacteria, Chlamydia Chlamydia: insidious and widespread disease , Viruses and fungi. But most of all reactive arthritis develops after bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal tract, genito-urinary organs, upper respiratory tract and respiratory tract.

These infections include intestinal infection caused by Yersinia, Salmonella, Klebsiella, Shigella, Clostridium, urogenital infections (urethritis, cystitis, cervicitis, prostatitis, epididymitis, salpingitis, endometritis) caused by chlamydia, ureoplazmu, agents of HIV infection, respiratory tract infections and upper respiratory tract (tonsillitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, bronchitis and pneumonia) caused by hemolytic streptococcus, chlamydia.

The inflammatory process in this case develops due to disorders of immunity. Fully causes of reactive polyarthritis are not clear, but suggests that much depends on the particular pathogen, the immune system of the patient (including its hereditary characteristics) and the length of stay infectious agent in the body of the patient.

Reactive arthritis What is arthritis - when it hurts everywhere   It occurs more often in young men. Contributing factors in this case are hypothermia, prolonged exposure to the cold wet limbs, the presence in the body of permanent foci of infection, the increased load on the limbs, limb injuries (including joints).

Signs

The disease usually develops after four to six weeks after infection. Onset of the disease is most often acute (less often - subacute), there is high fever, chills, malaise. Against this background there inflammation in several joints, more in the region of lower limbs, but sometimes at the top. Most often affects the knee and ankle joints, but may result in the sacroiliac joints, inflammation of ligaments and tendons in the affected joint (eg, lesions of the Achilles tendon).

Sometimes reactive polyarthritis developed symptoms such as mucous membranes in the form of conjunctivitis, urethritis, erosions and ulcers in the mouth. There may be changes in the skin and, for example, on the soles of feet and palms sometimes appear painless areas of consolidation. There are violations of the nail caused by malnutrition - the nails become brittle.

With an active inflammatory process sometimes affects the heart, mainly the heart muscle (myocardium), whereas the inner shell (endocarditis) are usually not involved in the process, and heart defects Heart defects - time heals?   It does not develop. In the acute phase of laboratory confirmed the presence of acute inflammation.

The disease usually lasts from one week to several months, while it can completely disappear on their own without any consequences. But in some cases, there is a long course and it becomes chronic with periodic relapses.

Treatment

The treatment of diseases depends on the cause, he was summoned. So, if the cause of the disease has become a hotbed of chronic bacterial infection, antibiotics are appointed Antibiotics - whether they will help you in the foreseeable future?   (considering the sensitivity thereto pathogens). In for Arthritis antibiotics have no effect, but the overwhelming infection, which caused them.

The main drugs in the treatment of reactive arthritis are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In this particular drug and its dosage is adjusted individually for each patient. The course of treatment lasts up to 1-1, 5 months, and sometimes more - depending on the patient's condition and the results of laboratory research.

If NSAIDs can not remove the pain, appointed by the glucocorticoid hormones.

After treatment appointed restorative treatment. To restore the normal function of the gastrointestinal tract are appointed by probiotics and prebiotics - medicines containing the bacteria - the natural inhabitants of the intestine and a special "food" for them.

To restore joint function prescribed physiotherapy and gymnastics.

Galina Romanenko

Gonartroz refers to common diseases, especially among the elderly. The pathological process characterized by degenerative, dystrophic processes in the knee joint, which leads to the gradual destruction of cartilage tissue with deformation of the joint. It is proved that in most cases the disease affects women.

The causes of degenerative processes in the joints

Gonarthrosis of the knee joint is conventionally divided into several pathogenic variants with the influence of the main causative factor. There are the following main types of the disease:

• primary
• secondary

The bilateral gonarthrosis of the knee develops in the primary (or idiopathic) form. The pathological process develops as a result of exposure to unknown reasons, so called idiopathic. Symptoms gonarthrosis of the knee appear in older people, their severity is determined by the degree of destruction or deformation of the joint.

Another embodiment of the disease is observed when the previously preceding pathology of the knee. As damaging factors are various injuries, disturbance of the joint, as well as those diseases that indirectly lead to pathological changes (infectious, and other systemic diseases). Signs gonarthrosis may occur at any age, with characteristic mostly one-sided defeat. The most prominent clinical manifestation of this pathogenic variant is considered to be post-traumatic gonarthrosis.

There are a number of predisposing factors, which contribute to more rapid development of joint deformities. These factors include being overweight, a violation of the principles of nutrition, bad habits Bad habits - second nature? , Excessive exercise. Reasons gonarthrosis of the knee joint are diverse, so during examination of the patient should take into account all the possible pathogenetic factors.

Stages of development of pathological changes

The disease has a tendency to a progressive deterioration of the current with the later stages of the disease. Stage gonartroza proceed with the symptom of pain, which is most evident in the last stage. On the minimal degree of activity we can say at the first stage of the disease when clinical manifestations do not affect human health. If the patient is turned in a first step, it increases the chance of avoiding serious complications.

The symptoms in the early stages of gonarthrosis appear only after considerable physical exertion, the long walk. The patient complained of not only the pain in the knee joint, as well as the appearance of edema, swelling of the joint. If exposure to the causal agent stops, the improvement comes, without deformation of the joints is observed. For this reason, we can speak about the minimum level of activity of the pathological process.

Deforming gonartroz progression occurs with clinical symptoms that indicate the presence of deformation processes at the level of the joints. These are manifestations of the following symptoms:

• joint stiffness
• morning stiffness of the joints
• knee pain at rest are concerned, when there is no influence of physical activity
• puffiness and deformity of the joints
• Modifications during the radiographic examination

The maximum changes in the joints observed in the third stage of the disease. Deforming gonarthrosis of the knee when the extent of the activity is accompanied by difficulty in movement. Acute pain is the most severe and unbearable. Objectively, you can see the change in color of the skin (until the appearance of bluish skin color), the presence of marked edema Prevention and treatment of edema - it is important to understand the root cause   and deformation of the knee.

The impact of the disease on the disabled

Pathological changes in the level of the articular cartilage and surrounding tissue are the cause of the reduction or total loss of joint function. There is a need for a rational employment of patients in order to limit the influence of excessive stress and other damaging factors, as well as an examination of capacity. Disability in gonarthrosis established on the basis of certain criteria.

The most pronounced changes observed in the third degree of severity of degenerative changes in the joints, when a bilateral gonarthrosis leads to the fact that a person can not take care of themselves on their own. The patient in need of constant help of unauthorized persons, is completely dependent on others. In such a situation it is determined by the first group of disability as a person loses the ability to look after themselves because of illness.

Bilateral gonarthrosis of the knee joint is the basis for the establishment of disability if the disease leads to permanent and expressed reduced mobility, employment. If the pathological process in the joints occurs at an early stage, thus revealed the presence of only minor breaches, the basis for the establishment of disability in this situation do not. The diagnosis of gonarthrosis is considered an indication for referral to pass the special committee, which deals with the definition of disability criteria.