Treat rheumatic complaints early

In addition to signs of wear and tear in joints, it is primarily inflammation that causes pain and limitations. Early detection protects against irreversible damage.

With rheumatism you can grasp Diseases of the musculoskeletal system that is not caused by an acute injury or a tumor. They are usually associated with pain and restricted movement. Joints, tendons, bones, muscles or connective tissue are affected.

“In addition to the musculoskeletal system, internal organs such as the cardiovascular system, lungs, liver, kidneys, stomach and intestines, nervous system or glandular tissue can also be affected,” says Dr. Reinhold Lunow, internist and medical director of the Praxisklinik Bornheim near Cologne and Bonn. Several hundred individual diseases are currently classified as rheumatic diseases. The symptoms, course and prognosis are as varied as their causes.

The disease often begins in the small joints of the hands and feet and occurs in several joints, usually on both sides of the body at the same time. The elbow, shoulder, knee, hip and cervical spine can also be affected gradually or in phases.

Rheumatism does not depend on age

Contrary to popular belief, rheumatism is not linked to age. Older people actually suffer primarily from wear-related (degenerative) forms. The reason is often arthrosis in the hip, knee joint or spine. The cartilage loses its cushioning effect over time. Previous inflammation or injuries can also promote the development of arthrosis, as can malformations or misalignments of joints, excess weight and metabolic disorders.

Autoimmune inflammatory forms of rheumatism, on the other hand, often occur in young adults. Even children can be affected by a chronic form, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). It is estimated that around 1.000 children and young people in Germany develop the disease every year.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease

The most common inflammatory rheumatic disease is rheumatoid arthritis in the joints. This is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body's own tissue.

"Patients suffer from pain, morning stiffness in the affected joints and swelling. In addition, a general feeling of illness can occur with tiredness, exhaustion, weight loss or fever," says Dr. Lunow. "If the inflammation spreads to the vessel walls, circulatory problems occur, often leading to arteriosclerosis with an increased risk of Heart attack. "

Cause for the Disease is usually a genetic predisposition. This makes early diagnosis of the disease all the more important. "Thanks to modern medication, we are now able to stop rheumatoid arthritis if it is detected early, before the joints become chronically damaged," says Dr. Lunow.

Rheumatism diagnosis: wear and tear or inflammation?

The medical team in the practice clinic Bornheim ist specialisiert auf prevention and DiagnosticsIf there are signs of a rheumatic disease, the first question to be asked is whether there is wear and tear or inflammation. To do this, the medical history (anamnesis) and clinical findings are recorded.

Play an important role Laboratory tests: By determining autoantibodies such as rheumatoid factors or antinuclear antibodies (ANA), it quickly becomes clear whether there is inflammation. How far this has progressed is provided by inflammatory parameters such as CRP or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), as is the determination of so-called "anti-CCP antibodies" (antibodies against citrullinated peptides).

Rheumatism sometimes also causes chronic pain in the soft tissues: tendon attachment irritations such as tennis elbow or bursitis occur. In addition, there is typical pain such as with sore muscles or aching limbs such as with a flu infection.

Metabolic diseases that are associated with crystal deposits can also lead to rheumatic complaints. Example gout: It occurs when the kidneys excrete less uric acid and the uric acid level in the blood rises (hyperuricemia). At a certain concentration, uric acid crystals are deposited in the joints and tissues. Risk factors include obesity, diabetes (Diabetes mellitus), elevated blood lipid levels and Hypertension (hypertension).

Chronic bone diseases, known as osteopathies, sometimes lead to rheumatic complaints in the spine. For example, osteoporosis: arthritis causes calcium to be removed from the joint bones, increasing the risk of bone fractures. Osteomalacia causes painful bone softening due to a vitamin D or calcium deficiency.

Early detection of rheumatism in the Bornheim practice clinic

Since many sufferers are unaware of their illness, especially in the early stages, early detection of rheumatism is particularly important. In addition to anamnesis, clinical findings and laboratory tests, inflammation can now be detected in the early stages using imaging techniques.

The Bornheim practice clinic uses ultrasound for this purpose. Unlike X-rays, it is completely radiation-free. Complex examination methods such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computer tomography (CT) can often be avoided. "While inflammation and damage were previously only visible in advanced stages, today we can detect the smallest defects in the articular cartilage and bone at an early stage, for example in the metacarpophalangeal joints," explains Dr. Lunow.

However, patients often go too late to the Doctorbecause they underestimate the insidious process of many rheumatic diseases or believe that the symptoms will disappear again. "Especially with inflammatory forms of rheumatism, the chances of recovery are significantly higher the sooner you start treatment," says Dr. Lunow. "Use our early detection of rheumatismto avoid further, often irreversible damage.”

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