In medical practice, this condition is called joint stiffness or contracture.
Joint stiffness, possible causes
The Latin transcription of the term contracture ("contractio" - bind, tighten) explains the essence of the pathology. When the joint is immobilized, the soft tissues functionally connected to it are tightened by scar tissue, creating an obstacle and thereby disrupting the dynamics of the joint's movement. Permanent limitation of mobility can affect any joints of the limbs - from small (fingers and toes) to medium and large (ankle, hip, shoulder, elbow, knee).
The etiology of joint stiffness is diverse and divided into two groups:
- congenital factors – anomalies of muscle development (for example, torticollis) or joints (clubfoot, hip dysplasia); soft tissue form of syndactyly (membrane of skin between the fingers); various birth injuries;
- acquired causes – various mechanical injuries and damages (fractures, blows, burns, wounds, joint deformations, etc.) with subsequent development of scars; forced long-term immobilization; inflammatory and infectious processes of the musculoskeletal system; disturbance of nervous regulation; age-related deformations of the musculoskeletal system (arthritis, arthrosis), etc. d.
Stiff mobility of hip joints
Most often, hip joint stiffness in adults is diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 50. The clinical picture of limited movement in the hip joint can be supplemented with local symptoms:
- sharp pain and inability to lean on the affected leg;
- forced unnatural position of the lower limb;
- swelling of soft tissues;
- with flexion contractures, shortening of the affected limb is possible.
Long-term neglect of the treatment of hip joint stiffness can lead to the absolute impossibility of independent movement.
Stiffness of finger joints
Dupuytren's contracture (stiffness of the joints of the fingers) is a common pathology of the hands of the upper limbs. The greatest probability of impossibility of extension is the little finger and/or the ring finger. Quite often, such a contracture develops synchronously on both hands. The exact etiology of the disease is unknown. A genetic predisposition, as well as a tendency to stiffness of the joints of the fingers in patients with diabetes, arthritis, arthrosis, and cardiovascular pathologies, was determined.
Treatment of stiff joints
When joint stiffness is diagnosed, the treatment of the disease depends on the reason that caused the contracture. In acute stages of inflammation, immobilization and drug therapy (anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving drugs) are used. In the future, to restore the tone of weakened muscles, the following are indicated:
- physiotherapeutic procedures;
- healing massage;
- gymnastics with an individually selected set of exercises;
- mechanotherapy.
If necessary or in case of ineffectiveness of conservative treatment, surgical intervention may be offered.
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