What Causes Ankylosis?

March 25, 2024

Ankylosis is a term that describes stiffness in a joint. In most cases, the condition occurs because the joint has become fused. Rather than being a diagnosis of its own, ankylosis is often considered a symptom of a larger illness. Ankylosis is characterized by the joint's bones having abnormal rigidity and adhesion, restricting movement and can cause pain. The severity of the condition varies from case to case. For some patients, the joint's rigidity is complete, and they lose all ability to move said joint. For others, the rigidity is only partial.

Arthrodesis

Arthrodesis, otherwise known as joint fusion surgery where the bones causing pain are welded together, is a procedure typically recommended for patients with severe arthritis pain caused by inflammation when a joint moves. Of course, this creates stiffness in the joint (ankylosis). Without the ability to move the joint, the pain typically subsides. In addition, the surgery can increase the stability of the patient's joint and allows them to place more weight on it. Joint fusion surgery is recommended when non-surgical arthritis treatments haven't provided relief.

Other patients who may benefit from this procedure are those with back issues like scoliosis and degenerative disk disease. The surgery can be performed on the spine, feet, thumbs, fingers, wrists, or ankles. It's important to note there tends to be a long recovery period. In addition, it may not be the right option for individuals with certain health issues.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, which is by far the most common type of arthritis, affects millions around the globe. Bones are formed with protective cartilage at the joints, which keeps the bones from rubbing directly together, allowing individuals to move without pain. However, with osteoarthritis, this protective cushion wears down over time. With inadequate protection, the bones grind together and cause severe pain.

The condition can affect any joint throughout the body, but it's most often found in the spine, hips, and knees. The constant grinding can cause the joint to become inflamed, which can then lead to the partial rigidity found in ankylosis. Though there are many treatments for the symptoms, there is no reversal for the underlying process. Health professionals recommend maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, and using medications to slow the progression of osteoarthritis.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a less common type of arthritis that typically affects the spine and joints in the lower back. The disease inflames the joints, causing stiffness, pain, and impaired mobility. There are two main components of ankylosing spondylitis. The first is the erosion of bone, while the second is increased formation of bone throughout the spine. This causes the bones to fuse either partially or fully in a classic case of ankylosis. When the disease is in its advanced stages, the spine can become deformed.

Ankylosing spondylitis most often affects young men, although it's been shown to affect individuals of all ages. When it presents in women, the symptoms tend to be less severe, so diagnosis is more difficult. There's a specific pattern of painful symptoms associated with the condition, and diagnosis usually occurs when the spinal changes are observed on an MRI or X-ray.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive autoimmune disease that leads to physical disability. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system attacks itself, causing the body to experience painful symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis causes pain, inflammation, and swelling around and inside the joints. It can affect the entire body, but the symptoms usually present first in the hands and feet. It's common for patients to experience joint stiffness, particularly after they've been still for a while. Getting up from a seated position and getting out of bed can both be difficult. The disease can also cause fatigue and general feelings of unwellness. Rheumatoid arthritis affects more than 1.3 million Americans. As a systemic disease, it spreads throughout the body rather than concentrating on one area.

Noma Cancrum Oris

Noma cancrum oris, otherwise known as oro-facial gangrene, is an infectious disease that affects the oral structures. It destroys both soft and hard tissues, leaving a gangrenous lesion in its wake. The majority of individuals affected are children between two and sixteen years old, and the disease most often appears in sub-Saharan Africa. There are a number of risk factors for noma cancrum oris including poor oral hygiene, other infectious diseases, malnutrition, and poverty.

Because malnutrition and infections both impair the immune system, patients are left more susceptible to oro-facial gangrene. The disease progresses through three stages. The acute phase is when the disease first sets in. The gangrenous phase occurs when the tissues have been destroyed, leaving behind a lesion. The scarring phase occurs when the gangrene heals and leaves behind thick, visible scarring.

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