Level disease: description, symptoms, causes and characteristics of treatment

Level disease is a complex epidemic disease that often affects children and young people. In this condition, severe deformity of the limb joints is observed in patients. Such an ailment is also called Kashin-Beck's disease, or endemic deforming osteoarthritis. To date, it is considered a fairly rare pathology, but previously spread very widely among the inhabitants of Transbaikalia and Siberia.

Description

Level disease usually begins at an early age and develops quite slowly, even without even being noticed. Its characteristic features are symmetrical deformations of the joints of the lower and upper extremities. And also there are constant crunches and pains, and in the future there are contractures. Often comes the deformation of the wrist, interphalangeal, elbow, ankle and knee bones.

Those who are ill are lagging behind in growth, they also have short-pointedness, the gait resembles a "duck", compensatory hyperlordosis appears due to the effect of the disease on the hip joints.

Because of the ailment, there may be accompanying problems, namely:

• Myocardial dystrophy of the heart;
• Mental retardation;
• Colitis and antacid gastritis.

Often anemia and leukopenia with relative lymphocytosis spread, while inflammation rates do not change. The X-ray shows very significant transformations of the epiphyses - deformations in the form of hats. The joints are narrowed due to the thinning of the cartilage. The bones of the tarsus and the wrists are flattened. The vertebrae begin to take the form of a coil, as they are affected by the Level disease.

Etiology

Pathology got its name from the city of the same name, in which it was first discovered, otherwise it could be called her Kashin-Bek disease, by the names of doctors who described the disease in detail. Development is associated with a violation of the mineral metabolism, which can arise from the imbalance of a number of chemical elements (manganese, phosphates and selenium) in water, plants, soil and, consequently, in food.

Degrees of defeat

Level disease, the pathogenesis of which is very ambiguous, has several degrees of damage:

1. It is characterized by thickening and deformation of the proximal joints of the second and third fingers of the hand with minimal limitation of mobility.
2. Defeat occurs in the second and third interphalangeal joints, traces "short-haired" and muscular dystrophy.
3. More pronounced previous syndromes and significant deformation of all cartilages with limited mobility in them.

Testicular disease in animals is also possible, and its stages are very similar to human, so treatment is prescribed the same.

Stages of

1. At the mildest stage, only 2, 3 and 4 fingers of the hand are affected. At the time of the load, the patient feels a slight pain, there is a restriction of mobility.
2. At the middle stage already affects more joints, you can notice a significant stiffness in motion, there is a crunch. Contractures and muscle atrophy are observed, and a small growth is characteristic - not more than 140 cm.
3. The most serious stage of pathology is the one that is accompanied by the defeat of all joints, their thickening and deformation. There are the following features:

• bear Paw;
• Short neck;
• Hyperlordosis;
• Narrow pelvis;
• Duck's gait;
• Flatfoot.

Symptoms

Level disease develops rather slowly. For a long time can not cause a characteristic problem, so it is invisible to the sick. At an early stage, only a qualified doctor can diagnose pathology. The first signs of the development of ailment include:

• Pain in the limbs;
• Limitation of mobility of joints;
• A crunch of fingers;
• Convulsions.

In humans, at first, there is a slight deformation in the upper limbs. At the initial stage, the pain in the fingers is not worried constantly. They are noisy, irregular and often occur at night or in the evening.

In the future, the ailment extends to the wrist, elbow and ankle joints. Due to pathological transformations growth slows down, flat feet appear and gait changes. In advanced stages, the patient complains of the fragility and thinning of nails and hair, persistent heart and headaches, and loss of appetite. All this causes the level disease.

Causes

The disease causes significant disturbances in the growth of tubular bones and problems with their ossification. Because of this, and there are various deformations of the joints. Scientists have determined that the disease is often diagnosed in populated areas, in which there is an increased content:

• gland;
• Strontium;
• Manganese.

One of the causes of Kashin-Bek's disease may be unbalanced nutrition, which is so often observed in modern people. Because of this, the body lacks the necessary trace elements and calcium. It is these violations that can contribute to the spread of 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. Even more important is the information about the area where the patient lives. It should be remembered that the problems that are observed in the patient, also often occur in other ailments, such as chondrodystrophy, rickets and endocrine changes. Therefore, the doctor should know what is a Level disease in order to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe a quality therapy.

In addition, a number of examinations are appointed: rheumatic tests, biochemical and general blood tests, fluoroscopy.

Who to contact?

A patient with such a disease needs quality medical care. In the treatment will be able to come to the rescue orthopedists and rheumatologists.

The specialists will conduct a qualitative examination and listen to all complaints. To cope with such an ailment as a Tver disease, to prescribe an effective treatment, the doctor will ask certain questions:

1. When were the symptoms seen?
2. Have you recently taken any medications?
3. Are there any chronic diseases?
4. Are allergic reactions to medicines present?
5. Than recently hurt?

After the interview, the patient will be sent to a radiographic examination, according to which the doctor will be able to confirm the diagnosis and assess the extent of the spread of the disease.

Treatment

Therapy is aimed at improving the quality of affected joints, reducing muscle contractures and pain. If you go to the doctor on time, in most cases you can achieve full recovery. When a person came to the reception at a late stage, thanks to therapy, the processes of joint deformation can be slowed down.

Level disease, the treatment of which must be complex, becomes less noticeable after taking minerals and vitamins. The selected drug should contain milk calcium, phosphorus and calcium gluconate. For a day, take 2-3 tablets.

It is necessary to get vitamins C and B1, as well as drugs that are used to treat arthrosis - FIBS and ATP.

It is recommended to combine medication with gymnastics, massages and physiobalneotherapy.

Mud applications and radon baths have a wonderful effect. In order for the state to improve significantly, several procedures are sufficient. Therapy does not require the appointment of analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs.

In advanced stages, when joint changes are unavoidable, surgical intervention may be necessary.

Prevention

The main measures for preserving health are rational choice of a water source with the correct content of chemical elements, places of residence and residence, as well as regular intake of microelements and multivitamins. Of course, nutrition should be balanced and complete, as if the joints do not receive the necessary make-up, the ailment will negatively affect them.