Age-related phenotypes of connective tissue dysplasia as markers of the aggravated pain syndrome in the posttraumatic period

One of the most significant problems in medical rehabilitation is therapy of posttraumatic musculoskeletal diseases and recurrent injury prevention. Recurrent musculoskeletal injuries can be caused by an underlying connective tissue failure, significantly aggravating the pain syndrome in the post-traumatic period and requiring special treatment.

AIM: to identify age-related markers of the aggravated pain syndrome in persons with post-traumatic musculoskeletal disease, resulting from recurrent injuries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive clinico-instrumental examination of 117 subjects aged 22 to 47 with posttraumatic musculoskeletal disease, resulting from recurrent injuries, in which the leading clinical manifestation was pain syndrome, was carried out at Sechenov University and the Medical Academy of Osteopathic Education. A specially designed questionnaire including 66 characteristic morphometric signs of connective tissue dysmorphogenesis was used to screen connective tissue condition.

RESULTS. It was shown that at the age of 22–35, a special approach to the pain treatment in the post-traumatic period is required to persons with an asthenic physique, excessive joint mobility, thin skin, soft auricles and keloid scars. With age, such signs as spine kyphosis, feet valgus deformity, skin hyperpigmentation over the spine, atrophic striae, varicose veins, abdominal muscle diastasis and recurrent hernias acquire greater diagnostic value. Universal indicators that are relevant at any age include moderate or severe myopia, spine scoliosis, X- and O-shaped feet, gothic palate, and temporomandibular joint crunching on movement.

CONCLUSION. The identification of the established age-related and universal indicators of connective tissue failure dictates the need for of timely correction of rehabilitation treatment and inclusion of the measures aimed at strengthening the connective tissue, which will which will help prevent injury recurrence and pain syndrome chronicity.

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