Differential diagnosis and treatment of enthesopathies

Abstract

The article provides a review of the literature on the pathology of the periarticular structure of the enthesis - the site of attachment of a tendon or ligament to the bone. The anatomical and functional features of the fibrocartilaginous enthesis are presented in detail from the position of the “enthesis organ”, which includes the enthesis and the adjacent synovial membrane, bursae and adipose tissue. The issues of the occurrence of degenerative changes against the background of mechanical stress and inflammatory rheumatic pathological processes in the above structural and functional anatomical unit are analyzed. The anatomical zones whose entheses are most often affected are given. The terminology of degenerative and inflammatory lesions of the enthesis is considered, including from the standpoint of ICD-10 codes. The advantages and disadvantages of modern terms are discussed, current concepts corresponding to the etiology of the pathological process are proposed: degenerative-dystrophic or traumatic enthesopathy and inflammatory enthesitis. This division of concepts is aimed at adopting the correct diagnostic and treatment tactics for a doctor of any specialization. The differential diagnosis of these nosologies and approaches to conservative treatment are considered. The possibilities of local injection therapy for enthesitis and enthesopathies, the use of anti-inflammatory and reparative techniques are discussed in detail. Based on our own clinical experience, the features of the treatment of various enthesopathies with glucocorticoids, autologous plasma, microinductive collagen, linear hyaluronates and polynucleotides are considered. Issues of priority methods in different clinical situations and the possibility of prolonging the therapeutic effect, as well as a combination of local and non-drug methods, were discussed. The tactics for ineffective local treatment, methods for correcting therapy and the choice of a leading specialist for various pathologies are discussed.