Neurogenic arthropathy

Neurogenic arthropathy: causes, symptoms and treatment

Neurogenic arthropathy, also known as Charcot's joint, is a rare condition that occurs as a result of damage to the nervous system. This condition causes deterioration in joint function and can lead to joint degeneration over several years. In this article we will look at the causes, symptoms and treatment of neurogenic arthropathy.

Causes of neurogenic arthropathy

Neurogenic arthropathy usually occurs due to damage to the nervous system. This may be caused by such things as injury, infection, tumor or other diseases of the nervous system. As a result of nerve damage, the normal functioning of the joints is disrupted, which can lead to joint degeneration.

Symptoms of arthropathy

Neurogenic arthropathy is a lesion of synovial and tendon-ligament structures in various neurological diseases, manifested by their inflammation. A connection between arthropathy and spinal cord and brain injuries has been noted. This term also includes various types of arthropathy of the joints of the limbs, hands and fingers, including rheumatoid, deforming osteoarthropathy, etc. (about 30 main forms). Artopathy can occur as a secondary change in any joint (De Quervain's syndrome, olecranon syndrome).

Etiology. The etiology of idiopathic arthropathy is unclear. The presence of peripheral neuropathy is of great importance. Dystrophic lesions are uninformative. An acute onset of the course is established if its duration does not exceed 3 months. In other cases, the acute nature of arthropathy is unlikely. In the case of a prolonged course, arthropathy becomes chronic.

Clinical picture. It typically affects the hands and feet, as well as large joints. The disease leads to contracture and subluxation at the attachment points of the ligaments, the intactness of which is typical for old age. Signs of damage to peripheral nerves are found only in the area of ​​syphilitic lesions or in the intervertebral nerves. The neuropathic zone is confused with the area of ​​old anemia. The arthropathic form allows for a more accurate diagnosis of ischemic disorders, since in this case they are clearly visible. In the rheumatogenous form, it is necessary to take into account the accompanying rheumatic symptoms—articular deposits of pyrophosphate crystals. The development of aseptic bone necrosis necessitates long-term treatment. The rheumatogenous form begins acutely, synovitis and hemarthrosis quickly appear. With polyneuropathic changes in the joint, there is no arthritis, but aseptic necrosis is noted. The diagnosis is clarified using the Lasegue test, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and polyriboadenylate-polymerase chain reaction are used. Treatment. It is identical to the treatment of arthritis of this etiology. In case of glenohumeral bursitis, one should keep in mind the infarction of the anterior part of the subacromial space; stenosis, pandactylitis leads to the formation of a cyst, expansion of the joint space. Exclude length