Sakroyileit - what is it? Sacroiliitis: symptoms, causes, treatment

Pain in the back is a nuisance, and sometimes even dangerous. Very often such discomfort is experienced not only by the elderly, but also by rather young people. With pains at the bottom of the back, sakroileitis can be diagnosed. What it is? This is the name of the defeat of the sacroiliac joint and the inflammatory processes in it.

The structure of the sacroiliac joint

This joint is the place of connection of the pelvis and the spine of a person. As a consequence, it experiences huge loads, both dynamic and static. The sacroiliac joint includes the sacrum , iliac, joint capsule and ligaments. It is this structure that provides the necessary strength and some mobility, which plays a significant role in damping the tremors that occur when moving. The posterior and interosseous ligaments additionally reinforce the sacroiliac joint. It is worth noting and another group of ligaments that connect the pelvis with the spine: sacro-tubercular, sacral-awning, ilio-lumbar. They are not directly related to the joint, but sacroiliitis (which is mentioned above) often affects these ligaments.

Types of disease

Depending on the cause of occurrence and a number of characteristic features, it is possible to distinguish such types of disease. The first of these is purulent sacroiliitis. Still it is called nonspecific. Distinguish between sakroileitis and exacerbations, acute and subacute. If the infection is directly in the joint, bilateral sakroileitis may develop. This is a rather dangerous condition. A large amount of pus accumulates, which can enter the vertebral canal or other cavities. The next type of disease is infectious-allergic sakroileitis. What it is? Such an inflammatory process can accompany autoimmune diseases. Specific type of sacroiliitis is secondary for such diagnoses as syphilis, tuberculosis. Another group combines states that are of non-infectious origin.

Degrees of sacroiliitis

The first stage of the disease is characterized by a mild manifestation of clinical symptoms. The pain is not strong, rarely there are unpleasant sensations in the lower back. Sometimes, discomfort is felt in the area of the Achilles tendons. In the second stage, the pain passes into the buttocks and thighs. The mobility of the joint is somewhat limited, often a curvature of the lumbar zones is observed. As a rule, these signs are characteristic for such a state as bilateral sakroileitis. If the iliac bones and sacrum are significantly limited in movement, radiculitis develops, cramps in muscles are observed, then we can speak about the third stage of the disease.

The main causes of the development of sacroiliitis

Inflammatory process in the joint can occur with a number of factors. The first is heavy loads. This can be observed during pregnancy, wearing heavy objects, sedentary work. Various bruises and injuries are also capable of provoking the development of the disease. Also, sakroileitis occurs in the presence of infectious diseases (tuberculosis, brucellosis). In this case, he can get a chronic form. Infection of the joint can cause other groups of bacteria. They can get into the cavity with blood flow, and in the presence of an open wound and a fracture on their surface, microorganisms from the environment accumulate. Infection is possible from the neighboring affected bones of the sacrum, pelvis. Another reason for the development of sakroileitis is the tumor process.

The clinical picture of the disease is sacroiliitis

Symptoms of this disease are quite multifaceted. However, the first and main of them is a feeling of pain in the lower back. It is worth noting that often unpleasant sensations are observed in the peripheral joints. If you push into the area of pain localization, it will only increase. Also to the deterioration of the condition leads to a long stay in a standing or sitting position, when crossing and leading the legs. There are often cases when pain gives to the buttocks, thighs. Also sakroileitis symptoms can have and such: increased fatigue, insignificant (subfebrile) temperature. There are other signs of the disease. Often the inflammatory process affects neighboring joints and ligaments. Often the eyes are affected. Vision deteriorates noticeably, fog may appear, eyes become watery, become more sensitive. It is characteristic that in most cases one organ of vision is affected. You can also observe the pathology of the cardiovascular system: breathing is difficult, an arrhythmia is possible. Rare sakroileitis leads to lung damage.

Infectious Joint Affection

The most vivid clinical picture is purulent sacroileitis. What is it and what are the main signs? First of all, an active inflammatory process causes acute pain in the joint. It increases with pressure or any movement. The body temperature rises (to 38 ° C). This is facilitated by bacterial cells that multiply in the area of the sacroiliac joint. You can also observe abscesses in the buttock area. They appear because of the accumulation of pus, which can pour into the surrounding tissue. Most microorganisms also cause such signs of intoxication as headaches, excessive sweating, aches in joints, chills. However, tuberculosis (and brucellosis) does not give such a vivid clinical picture: the pain is not expressed, the body temperature rises slightly.

How to diagnose sakroileitis

In case of the appearance of the main symptoms (pain in the lower region of the back), it is first of all necessary to consult an orthopedic trauma specialist. After the examination, he appoints a series of tests and sends to X-ray examination. With its help, you can see the thickening of the bone tissue, uneven and diffuse contours of the joint, the presence of erosion, narrowing of the joint gap. Magnetic resonance imaging is often used. It helps to visualize foci of inflammation, to see changes in the area of the lesion. In order to know the activity of the inflammatory process, make a blood test. As a rule, leukocytes are increased 2 and more times, the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation also increases (the second and third degree of the disease).

Treatment of sacroiliitis

Therapy of this disease is aimed at eliminating the cause of the onset. If sakroileit provoked by tuberculosis, then the treatment of the underlying disease is performed. Special antibacterial drugs are prescribed, which affect pathogenic microorganisms. Also with the help of medicines, inflammatory processes and pain syndrome are removed. To restore the mobility of the joint, physical exercises are extremely useful. A physician can prescribe a physical therapy, a massage course, paraffin therapy, electrophoresis. In the presence of purulent formations, surgical intervention may be necessary.

Bechterew's disease. Treatment

This disease can affect both the spine and sacroiliac joint. As a rule, it has a chronic course. Bekhterev's disease is characterized by such symptoms: minor pain in the spine (at an early stage), stiffness of movements after a night's sleep. As well as sakroileit 2 degrees, the disease over time begins to acquire more pronounced signs: pain in the buttock, thigh, down the leg. Systemic symptoms include increased fatigue, sweating, and inflammation of the iris. The exact cause of the disease is not established. It is believed that an important role is played by the ecological factor. Bechterew's disease is referred to as autoimmune diseases (that is , the human immune system attacks the tissues of its own organism, which causes their defeat). Diagnosis is performed by X-ray examination, laboratory tests, assessment of the patient's condition. Bechterew's disease treatment has the following: taking anti-inflammatory drugs, physical exercises.