Diffuse osteoporosis: signs and treatment

To date, diseases of the musculoskeletal system have become younger. If a few decades ago it was thought that people of age are affected by similar problems, now quite a few young people can be seen near the offices of osteopaths, vertebrologists and orthopedists. Diffuse osteoporosis is also considered a "rejuvenated" disease requiring comprehensive diagnosis and treatment.

What is this disease?

The loss of bone density, brittleness and fragility of the entire skeleton, thinning of the bone tissue - all these are the main manifestations of diffuse osteoporosis. In comparison with the usual form of the disease, changes do not concern any one area, but the organism as a whole. The disease is characterized by pronounced pain syndrome, which disturbs a person not only during movement or physical exertion, but also at rest. In parallel, the propensity to damage and fractures increases.

Diffuse osteoporosis is dangerous because it is diagnosed already during a period of severe changes on the part of the skeleton, because the initial manifestations are not specific, or even completely absent.

Etiology of the disease

Normal work of the body is associated with two parallel processes: the formation of bone tissue and its destruction. Violation of this balance and acceleration of catabolism leads to brittleness and a decrease in bone density. This process is facilitated by the following factors:

1. The patient's age - the biological aging of the body - has not been canceled. After 50 years, the condition of the locomotor system deteriorates, as does the functionality of most organs.
2. Hormonal rearrangements associated with menopause, removal of female genital organs and glands, changes in the work of the adrenal gland and thyroid gland.
3. Hypovitaminosis D, which provokes a violation of the absorption by the bone system of calcium.
4. Long-term use of medications (hormones, immunosuppressants, antacids, anticonvulsants).
5. Alcohol abuse and smoking.
6. Excessive physical activity.
7. Presence of neoplasms.
8. Hereditary predisposition.

Clinical picture

For a long time, the symptomatology of the disease has 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:

• A decrease in growth by a few centimeters;
• Hump formation, violation of posture;
• Constant pain syndrome;
• Deformation of the chest;
• Lack of a waist line;
• Decreased efficiency;
• Rapid fatigue.

Diffuse osteoporosis of the joints is manifested by swelling, restriction of mobility, aching pains, muscle cramps of the lower limbs.

How to suspect the development of the disease?

Not only patients, but also specialists with many years of practice, can confuse osteoporosis with inflammatory diseases of the joints. 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 lesions are compression fractures of the spine, as well as the femoral or radius bone, which occur after a minimal impact of the traumatic factor. According to statistics, half of the patients who received compression injuries are unaware of their appearance. In addition to aching pain in the back, no manifestations can disturb.

A few months later, even the pain syndrome disappears, and the patient does not suspect about their problems until the next traumatization. Persistent soreness has nothing to do with such specific fractures and may be indicative of myeloid leukemia or bone metastases.

An X-ray examination to determine the initial manifestations of the disease is shown to all persons who are at risk. This includes people who differ in the following states:

• Early menopause;
• Long-term use of hormonal drugs;
• Presence of frequent fractures in the age of up to 40 years;
• Body mass index is below normal;
• Complicated family history of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Diagnostic measures

Diffuse osteoporosis requires a full-scale complex treatment, but it is possible only after a complete examination of the body, which allows to determine the state of all the bones of the skeleton. After collecting an anamnesis of life and illness, the specialist directs the patient to an X-ray examination, which makes it possible to evaluate the following signs of diffuse osteoporosis:

• Decreased bone density;
• Thinning of the vertebrae;
• Insertion of intervertebral discs into vertebral bodies;
• The 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 clarification of nuances. You can see only the general 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-ray absorptiometry, which allows to determine bone mineral density. The patient is placed on a special table along which the scanner moves. The procedure does not require special preparation. RA has two methods of diagnosis: peripheral allows you to clarify the density of the bones of the hand, wrist or calcaneus, and the central - femoral and bones of the spine.

The next method used to differentiate the disease is computed tomography. The results of the survey make it possible to calculate specific density indices, depending on the body weight and age of the patient.

Principles of therapy

Diffuse osteoporosis, whose treatment should be performed in specialized centers of a narrow focus, requires the participation of several specialists (endocrinologist, rheumatologist, neurologist). The choice of doctors' participation depends on the cause of the disease. The most frequently involved specialist is an endocrinologist.

Therapy of osteoporosis should 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:

1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - relieve pain syndrome, eliminate puffiness, stop signs of inflammatory reaction ("Movalis", "Revmoxicam").
2. Remedies that slow down the destruction of bone tissue ("Osteohin", "Miakaltsik").
3. Preparations of calcium.
4. Derivatives of vitamin D.
5. Drugs that stimulate the work of osteoblasts ("Ossin").
6. Steroids that affect the regeneration of bone tissue ("Teriparatide", "Testosterone").
7. Calcitonin in case of thyroid dysfunction.
8. In the climacteric, estrogen and progesterone preparations are prescribed as substitution therapy.
9. For topical use, ointments with anti-inflammatory components are used.

Allowed the use of physiotherapy, in particular, ultraphonophoresis, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, massage, elements of therapeutic gymnastics.

Preventive measures

Proper nutrition is considered one of the factors preventing not only diffuse, but also other types of osteoporosis. Along with the products must come a sufficient amount of vitamins and trace elements, especially calcium. Non-smoking 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 in the early stages.

Conclusion

Treatment of diffuse osteoporosis is a complex and lengthy process that can not always have a favorable outcome. It is easier to prevent the disease by following the advice of specialists than to spend a huge amount of money, time and energy to fight it.