pharmachologic effect
Due to the combined composition, the drug has antimicrobial, antibacterial and dehydrating properties.
It has therapeutic activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. The active ingredient, chloramphenicol, does not violate the integrity of cell membranes, easily penetrates deep into tissues, promotes their regeneration and removal of purulent contents. In addition, when using the ointment, there is a decrease in swelling, inflammation and strengthening of the body's defenses at the local level.
Possible localizations
Pyogenic arthritis most often develops in one joint. But people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis may develop purulent polyarthritis.
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Joint pain at rest
Inflammation of the joints of the lower extremities
In large joints of the legs, suppuration is most often the result of open injuries. Sometimes small ones are also affected, especially if the patient already has chronic arthritis.
Purulent arthritis of the hip joint
The hip joint is often involved in the process, but the course is smoothed, without pronounced symptoms of inflammation. This localization is especially dangerous for elderly people with osteoporosis (fragile bones), as it is complicated by long-term non-healing femoral neck fractures. Suppurative arthritis of the hip joint is common in children and is often diagnosed based on x-ray findings, but usually results in complete recovery.
Suppurative arthritis of the knee joint
This is a very common location, since the knee bears the highest load and is often injured. The general condition suffers, redness and swelling of the knee are visible to the eye, and there is severe pain. If it develops against the background of pre-existing chronic arthritis, several joints may be affected at once;
Suppurative arthritis of the ankle joint
The ankle is also often affected after injuries - bruises, bites, etc. Suppuration can spread to the foot, affecting the tendons and ligaments (enthesitis). This complication is associated with severe heel pain. Swelling of the ankle can also lead to the development of tarsal tunnel syndrome, a narrow space behind the inner malleolus where the tibial nerve passes through. Tarsal syndrome is manifested by pain along the foot, flat feet and atrophy of the foot muscles.
Purulent arthritis of the foot
When the small joints of the foot are inflamed, suppuration often joins existing skin (fungal, bacterial) or joint (rheumatoid, gouty arthritis) lesions. It proceeds smoothly, so it is sometimes detected at later stages.
Inflammation of the joints of the upper extremities
Both large and small joints can be affected.
Purulent arthritis of the shoulder joint
The disease often develops after injury or against the background of an existing inflammatory process. It lasts a long time, especially when the glenohumeral joint is affected. The main symptom is severe aching pain. If not treated in time, the pain will bother you for the rest of your life.
Purulent arthritis of the shoulder complicated by osteomyelitis
Suppurative arthritis of the elbow joint
Inflammation of the elbow joint often develops against the background of chronic injury (tennis players) or with psoriatic arthritis.
Purulent arthritis of the hand
The small joints of the hand become suppurated mainly due to rheumatoid arthritis. Against the background of anti-inflammatory treatment, it goes unnoticed, so it is important to pay attention to the slightest changes in your health and consult a doctor in a timely manner.
Purulent arthritis of fingers
This type of arthritis develops against the background of household injuries (cuts, wounds), as well as with psoriatic and gouty arthritis.
Cervical purulent arthritis
Pyogenic arthritis of the cervical spine is rare. This is a very dangerous disease, since pus can enter the brain, swollen periarticular tissues can compress the blood vessels and nerve roots that supply the brain. Therefore, such patients require emergency hospitalization.
What is Levomekol used for?
The drug is prescribed for the treatment of the following conditions:
- Skin infections due to pathogenic pathogens.
- Calluses.
- Pimples, boils, blackheads.
- Burn lesions, especially 2nd and 3rd degrees.
- Inflammation of the ear and sinuses with purulent discharge.
- Hemorrhoids.
- Bedsores.
- Postoperative wound care.
- Death of individual sections of tissue.
- Eczema.
How dangerous is the disease?
The course of the pyogenic inflammatory process in the joints depends on the virulence (ability to cause harm to the patient’s body) of the infectious agent, the state of the patient’s immunity, and the presence of chronic diseases. Without treatment, the disease progresses in any case, moving from stage to stage with joint destruction and severe complications.
Stages
Stages of pyogenic arthritis according to the Research Institute named after. Vishnevsky:
- Early
– pus accumulates in the joint cavity without destroying its tissues (on x-rays, an expansion of the joint space appears due to the accumulation of purulent exudate):- 1a
- tissues adjacent to the joint are not changed; - 1b
– purulent inflammation around the joint. - Explicit
– intra-articular tissues (synovium, cartilage, ligaments) are destroyed (on x-ray - destruction of the articular surfaces of bones):- 2a
- without damage to periarticular tissues; - 2b
– suppuration spreads to surrounding tissues. - Progressive
– cartilage and subchondral bone are destroyed (on x-ray – focal bone destruction, narrowing of the joint space), joint mobility is impaired:- 3a
- without damage to the skin and subcutaneous tissue surrounding the joint; - 3b
– ulcers around the joint; - 3c
– fistulas (pus breakthrough) on the surface of the skin. - Ultimate
:- if left untreated
, destruction, ankylosis (immobility) of the joint, disability; It is possible to restore joint function only with the help of endoprosthetics; - If treatment is carried out in a timely manner
, a complete recovery is possible.
Possible complications
Any form of arthritis has serious complications, so you should not delay treatment.
See how easily the disease can be cured in 10-12 sessions.
If left untreated, suppurative processes lead to severe complications:
- complete destruction and immobility of the joint;
- spread of suppuration to the skin, subcutaneous tissue, ligaments and tendons with the formation of fistulas, abscesses and phlegmons that are difficult to treat;
- osteomyelitis – purulent inflammation of the bone;
- compression of nerves by swollen tissues, accompanied by severe pain; for example, ankle arthritis may be complicated by tarsal syndrome due to compression of the tibial nerve;
- sepsis – multiple pyogenic lesions of organs and systems.
Pyogenic arthritis is a disease that cannot be cured with home remedies. The sooner the patient sees a doctor, the greater his chances of recovery.
What to do if you suspect purulent arthritis
Algorithm of actions:
- call a doctor at home; if you have a high temperature, call an ambulance;
- take any medicine with anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects: Analgin, Pentalgin, Paracetamol, Diclofenac; Apply an external agent with similar properties to the affected joint: Diclofenac ointment, Menovazin solution;
- lie down and take a position that minimizes pain.
Do not refuse hospitalization under any circumstances!
How to use Levomekol correctly
Levomikol in the form of leniment is used topically for adults and children over 3 years of age. Depending on the indication, there are some differences in use.
In addition to applying the ointment to the affected areas, it can be administered through a syringe to wash out purulent cavities. To do this, the medicine is heated to 36 C.
When treating various infectious skin diseases, it is worth adhering to the therapeutic dose. The amount of ointment per day should not exceed 3 g. The course duration is 4 days. It is prohibited to use the product for longer to avoid an osmotic state in the affected cells.
General description of the disease
Bacterial or purulent arthritis is an inflammation of the joint caused by pyogenic bacteria. The disease begins acutely and progresses quickly, threatening the patient's life, and therefore requires emergency care.
Purulent (pyogenic) arthritis is a widespread phenomenon, the incidence ranges from 2 to 10 cases per 100 thousand population. According to statistics, from a quarter to a half of patients after such a purulent inflammatory process become disabled. About 5% of patients cannot be saved.
ICD 10 code(s) for pyogenic arthritis M00-M99. When an infectious pathogen of a certain type is identified, the ICD code is specified:
- staphylococcal - M00.0;
- pneumococcal - M00.1;
- caused by other specified bacterial pathogens - M00.8;
- unspecified purulent arthritis has an ICD 10 code - M00.9.
How to treat hemorrhoids with Levomekol
Thanks to the use of Levomikol for hemorrhoids, significant success can be achieved. Since the medicine has an antimicrobial and antibacterial effect, it effectively fights infectious agents.
There is also a decrease in pain, inflammation, swelling and itching. Leniment promotes drying of tissues and stimulates their regeneration.
Treatment of hemorrhoids is carried out in the following order:
- The anus is washed with water at room temperature.
- Dry with a towel.
- Apply the ointment to the area of the nodes before going to bed.
- The anal area is covered with a clean cloth.
- The duration of the course of therapy is no more than 10 days.
Classification
By origin, purulent arthritis is divided into:
- primary
- infection enters the joint due to injury or as a result of medical operations or manipulations; - secondary
- pyogenic microorganisms enter the joint from nearby tissues or distant foci of infection with blood (lymph).
Suppurative arthritis of the knee joint
Based on the nature of changes in tissues, the following forms are distinguished:
- without destruction of intra-articular tissues; is possible only with timely and adequate treatment;
- with destruction of intra-articular tissues, confirmed by x-ray examination;
- with the spread of infection to the periarticular tissues.
Is it possible to use Levomekol on a wound?
The ointment is widely used for the regeneration of clean wound surfaces and purulent discharge. It helps eliminate pathogens, helps reduce inflammation, swelling and prevents further skin infections.
Leniment is preferably applied at night. If the wound is clean, it is treated with an antiseptic solution and a thin layer of ointment. A bandage is applied on top. When the wound surface suppurates, turundas with an antiseptic are placed into its cavity to absorb pus and secretions. Afterwards, Levomikol is placed and fixed with a napkin soaked in the medicine.
Causes of purulent arthritis
The cause of the disease is the penetration of pyogenic bacteria into the joint cavity. This can happen when:
- penetrating joint injury; in this case, the inflammatory process is initially aseptic (non-infectious) in nature and only after some time does suppuration develop;
- penetration of infection from periarticular tissues with abscesses, phlegmons, boils;
- transfer of infectious agents with blood or lymph flow from distant foci during purulent inflammatory processes in the ENT organs, purulent cholecystitis, appendicitis, etc.;
- infection entering the joint cavity during medical procedures if aseptic rules are not observed.
The most common causative agent of infection is Staphylococcus aureus (about 70% of all cases of pyogenic arthritis). In chronic autoimmune inflammatory processes (rheumatoid arthritis), skin infections and open injuries, the causative agent of purulent infection is most often group A hemolytic streptococcus. The “culprits” of the disease can be pneumococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli and other pathogens.
When a pyogenic infection enters the joint cavity, suppuration develops. The joint capsule, cartilage, and then the periarticular tissues become inflamed and destroyed. At the site of destruction, first connective and then bone tissue grows, causing immobility of the joint (ankylosis). At the same time, the general condition of the body is disturbed, especially if pus enters the blood and spreads to various organs and tissues with the formation of pyogenic foci in them (sepsis).
People at risk for developing purulent arthritis include:
- children, elderly people, people with reduced immunity;
- those suffering from chronic arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis (RA) – the infection penetrates into inflamed tissue more easily; drugs used in the treatment of RA help reduce local immunity;
- with chronic inflammatory or acute purulent processes - pus enters the joint cavity with blood;
- those who have undergone joint surgery, including endoprosthetics - the incidence of infection of artificial joints ranges from 0.5 to 2%;
- with diabetes mellitus, which causes poor circulation and decreased immunity;
- obese people leading a sedentary lifestyle - increased load on the joints leads to the development of microtraumas, where infection easily penetrates;
- working in damp, cold rooms.
How to use Levomekol for burns
Due to the unique composition of leniment, it has pronounced antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Increases local immunity, which is especially important for burns. In addition, it suppresses the effect of viruses, stimulates the restoration of tissue cells, relieves inflammation and prevents the necrotic process.
To treat burns, the damaged area is washed with an antiseptic solution and covered with a napkin containing Levomikol. The dressing is changed up to 5 times a day.
The drug is used for varying degrees of burns. The duration of the course of treatment is determined by the doctor.
Symptoms of purulent arthritis
It is very important to know all the manifestations of pyogenic arthritis, since not only the health, but also the life of the patient depends on the timeliness of seeking medical help.
First signs
Acute purulent arthritis in most cases begins suddenly, with high body temperature, chills, headache, and malaise. At the same time, redness (hyperemia) and swelling of the periarticular tissues above the affected joint appear, accompanied by severe pain. Usually one joint is affected, most often the hip or knee.
Subacute onset of the disease also occurs, but less frequently. The body temperature is normal or subfebrile (slightly elevated), and general disorders may include weakness and malaise. The joints swell slightly, but pain is always present. Inflammation in the hip and sacroiliac joints is especially difficult to notice. Often the process is initially aseptic in nature and only then do obvious symptoms of suppuration appear.
Multiple joint damage occurs when the patient has chronic arthritis, primarily rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Primary manifestations of pyogenic arthritis are rarely pronounced, since patients take anti-inflammatory drugs. In such patients, suppuration is rarely detected in the early stages.
All these signs can appear after endoprosthetics - replacing a destroyed joint with an artificial one. Suppuration can develop in the first 3 months after surgery or in a later period when infection enters the joint cavity from the surface of the skin or through the bloodstream from distant foci.
Obvious symptoms
Once pyogenic arthritis begins, it will not go away on its own; it will progress. Both general symptoms (fever, intoxication) and local ones increase: pain, redness and swelling over the inflamed joint. The patient cannot move the limb and takes a forced position, allowing him to somehow reduce the pain. If he does not receive medical assistance during this period, serious complications will begin.
In children, the hip joints are most often affected. Sometimes arthritis is acute, with severe general and local symptoms. But quite often the child simply feels pain in the limb when moving. The large volume of soft tissue over the hip joint makes it difficult to immediately see signs of inflammation.
Often purulent arthritis manifests itself only as pain in the limb when moving
When to see a doctor
Suppurative arthritis is a serious, life-threatening disease, so you should consult a doctor if the following symptoms appear:
- a sharp increase in body temperature combined with redness, swelling and pain in the joint area;
- inflammation of the joint after an injury, even a minor one; especially if the process is initially mild (aseptic inflammation), and after a while the temperature rises sharply, the joints swell, and unbearable pain appears (signs of suppuration);
- a slight increase or normal temperature, increased pain and inflammation in one or more joints in patients with chronic arthritis, especially RA;
- the appearance in a child of incomprehensible, sometimes not very strong pain in the joint when moving in the absence of fever and general disorders.
Diagnostics
If suppuration of the joint is suspected (for this, an examination by a doctor is sometimes sufficient), the patient is hospitalized and the entire examination is carried out in a hospital setting:
Laboratory blood tests:
- general analysis
- reveals the presence and severity of the inflammatory process; - biochemical
- proteins of the acute phase of inflammation; - immunological
– antibodies to infectious pathogens and autoantibodies (antibodies to the body’s own tissues).
Synovial fluid studies:
- PCR
– rapid detection of infection by polymerase chain reaction; subsequent bacterial culture, all data on the causative agent of infection is clarified; - microbiological
- culture on nutrient media to identify the causative agent of infection and its sensitivity to antibiotics.
Instrumental studies:
- Ultrasound
- the presence of a large volume of fluid in the joint cavity; - X-ray data
– bone changes in the joint cavity; - computed tomography (CT)
– a more accurate study of bone structures; - magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
– examination of soft tissues; - diagnostic arthroscopy
– examination of the inner surface of the joint and taking synovial fluid (SF) for examination; can be replaced by aspiration biopsy - taking the fluid for examination with a syringe (joint puncture).
Attention: it is impossible to conduct a full examination at home!
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Intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid
Approach to treating the disease in our clinic
In medical (Moscow) purulent arthritis is treated with special attention. Severe patients with high fever and pain are admitted without waiting lists and, if a purulent inflammatory process is suspected, they are sent to a surgical hospital. The patient is recommended to visit the clinic again after the inflammation has been eliminated to carry out rehabilitation measures.
Comprehensive rehabilitation includes:
- modern methods of joint restoration developed in leading clinics around the world;
- Traditional oriental methods - ancient Chinese and Tibetan doctors have used them for centuries to restore the health of the body as a whole.
After a course of rehabilitation in our center, most patients experience a complete recovery. And patients with chronic arthritis of various origins forget about joint pain for a long time and lead a healthy lifestyle. Medical specialists in Moscow are waiting for you!
We combine proven techniques of the East and innovative methods of Western medicine.
Read more about our unique method of treating arthritis
General clinical recommendations
People with arthritis should:
- to refuse from bad habits;
- lead a healthy lifestyle, regularly take walks in the fresh air, toughen up;
- do therapeutic exercises, swimming;
- exclude heavy physical activity, injuries, stress;
- eat right, watch your weight;
- promptly treat all acute and chronic diseases;
- continue to be observed by your doctor, undergo prescribed examinations and, if necessary, anti-relapse treatment.
These recommendations are also relevant for people suffering from chronic arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis.
Prevention
To prevent the development of purulent arthritis, it is worth following all the recommendations for a healthy lifestyle, hardening and doing sports as much as possible.