Chronic autoimmune inflammation of the spine and joints is called Bechterew's disease, and its clinical symptoms were first described in detail by the Russian neurologist Vladimir Bekhterev. That is why this disease is called a scientist.
The disease is hereditary. It is most common in men between the ages of 15 and 30, and is more common in men than women. It affects the lumbar spine, then the chest and neck, and in rare cases, other joints.
Ankylosis is a hardening of the joints
Bexterev's disease is characterized by inflammation of the capsules surrounding the intervertebral joints, joints, ligaments, joints and joints, and changes in bone tissue. Chronic inflammation and adhesions of joints and tissues can lead to ankylosis of the spine.
In Bechterew's disease, which develops gradually throughout the patient's life, there is a gradual decrease in movement and a gradual change in the patient's posture (often a state of bending). Over the years, inflammation of the spine causes the body to bend.
Decreased immunity, chronic pain, intestinal and urinary tract infections, inflammation of the adrenal glands, influenza and other viruses, exposure to cold, injuries, diarrhea and uncomfortable working conditions play an important role in the development of Bexterev's disease.
The pain decreases during physical activity and increases at night, in the second half of the night. In the morning, the lumbar region is stiff and restricted in movement.
Bexterev's disease
Several types of the disease
In the early stages of the disease, patients experience long-term pain in the lumbar region, which leads to inflammation of the sacrum (joint) where the pelvis is attached to the pelvis (sacroileitis).
Low back fatigue occurs when the patient stands or sits for long periods of time. Labor activity decreases, the patient loses weight. Pain in the lumbar region can spread down the buttocks and thighs.
In the central type, only the spine is affected, and depending on which part is most affected, the pain is more bothersome. The disease begins with pain in the lumbar region.
In thoracic vertebrae, the pain is in the chest, ribs, and chest, making it difficult to breathe due to decreased chest excursion. The pain is exacerbated during exercise, deep breathing, and coughing.
When the cervical spine is damaged, patients are bothered by neck pain, limited neck movement, and look around with their whole body. The spine has a tense side muscle.
In the rhizome type, the joints closest to the spine are affected at the same time: the shoulder and pelvic joints. Patients have pain in the shoulder and pelvic joints. The patient has limited range of motion, difficulty sitting, and limited leg flexion.
In the peripheral type, the spine, knees, and ankles are affected. At the same time there is pain in the spine, pain and swelling in the knee and ankle joints.
In the Scandinavian type, the joints of the hands and feet are affected at the same time as the spine, similar to rheumatoid arthritis. There is pain in the spine, pain and swelling in the joints of the hands and feet, and stiffness of the joints from 30 minutes to 2-3 hours in the morning. Such patients are often treated on the basis of a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. X-ray examinations clarify the disease.
Depending on the changes in the spine, two more types are distinguished, the first is the kyphotic type, which is characterized by the curvature of the human body and the development of curvature. In the second rigid type, the spine is upright and the patient is arrogant. In some cases, the spine, joints, eyes, aorta, kidneys, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and respiratory systems may be affected.
The treatment should not be stopped
On examination, blood tests showed anemia, an increase in ECG to 30-60 mm / s. Radiographic findings of bilateral sacroileitis 2-4 and intervertebral spondyloarthritis may be sufficient grounds for a diagnosis of Bechterew's disease.
When Bexterev's disease is suspected, it is necessary to determine the presence of the HLA V27 antigen in a person, the detection of which indicates a genetic predisposition to the disease. This antigen is detected in 80-90% of patients.
Patients should be treated throughout their lives. If possible, they should be treated in an inpatient setting once every 6 months. He should be regularly monitored and examined by a rheumatologist in the local environment. Self-medication is not recommended. With the help of drugs, physical education and physiotherapeutic methods are used. This allows the disease to remain in remission for a long period of time.
Separate recommendations
Avoid carrying heavy loads.
If you have to sit and work all day, get up every two hours and do light exercises that move your spine.
It is better to sleep on a wooden bed, not too soft.
Before getting up in the morning, stretch your body so that you feel your spine tighten.
Avoid jogging, sitting on a leash, and especially getting an infectious disease.
Do skiing in the winter and swimming in the summer. For your spine and joints, it is helpful to do the exercises recommended by your doctor regularly.
Alisher HAMROEV,
traumatologist-orthopedist of the highest category,
doctor of medical sciences.
