Symptoms of myositis

Myositis refers to a group of pathologies that affect muscles due to inflammation, injury or exposure to a toxic factor. Symptoms of myositis in most cases include pain, muscle weakness and even atrophy.

The disease involves damage to one or more muscles, causing loss of some of their functions. If the damage covers several muscle groups, then it is polymyositis. In addition to muscle structures, the skin may be affected, causing the development of dermatomyositis.

The pathology may occur acutely with a rapid onset due to traumatic muscle injury or sudden muscle strain. The chronic form is a consequence of the acute phase or a symptom of an infectious disease.

The most common clinical manifestations of myositis are local pain syndrome, the severity of which increases as the process progresses. Its greatest intensity is observed during motor activity, due to the tension of the affected muscles, as well as during palpation.

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Symptoms of neck myositis

Pain in the neck is most often considered a clinical manifestation of osteochondrosis or myositis. Their main difference is the onset of pain syndrome several hours after exposure to the provoking factor.

Symptoms of neck myositis are characterized by increasing pain syndrome, the intensity of which increases when trying to turn the neck or lower the head. The pain can spread to the shoulder area, head (back of the head and face), and also moves to the back, shoulder blades.

The pain persists even at rest and does not decrease in intensity after a night's rest. In order to reduce its severity, a person tries to move his head and neck less, since motor activity provokes tension in the affected muscles.

Symptoms of neck myositis include a feeling of dense bands along the muscles and their pain when palpated. In some cases, hyperemia is observed over the area of inflammation.

The condition of the muscles worsens when exposed to even the slightest cold factor, such as a draft or rain. As a result, the pain becomes much more intense, and the movements are even more limited.

Symptoms of myositis of the back

Myositis occurs under the influence of various factors that provoke inflammation or traumatization of muscle fibers. The most pronounced clinical manifestations of myositis are observed in the morning hours, since the muscles after prolonged immobilization or being in an uncomfortable position have a hard time acquiring their usual position. This process is accompanied by pain syndrome.

It is caused by swelling increasing at night, which results in a reflex spasm. In addition, we should not forget that the muscles have already been influenced by the provoking factor.

Symptoms of myositis of the back as a result of exposure to a traumatic agent appear after several days. Clinical manifestations of the disease gradually increase and persist for a long time.

Symptoms of myositis of the back include aching pain, swelling and hyperemia of the skin over the affected muscles, and an increase in local temperature over the pathological focus.

Palpation reveals compacted nodules, located asymmetrically in large numbers in the lumbar region. Any motor activity (bending, turning), which is accompanied by tension or stretching of muscles, provokes an increase in pain syndrome.

General clinical manifestations of myositis include general malaise, rapid fatigue and decreased performance due to the inability to move.

Symptoms of myositis of the legs

Leg diseases are especially acutely felt, since walking is an integral part of our lives. So, if you can try not to move your head with myositis of the neck or not to move your hand - with myositis of the shoulder, then even a slight load on the legs provokes an increase in pain syndrome.

Symptoms of myositis of the legs appear as a result of muscle damage and are characterized by local reddening of the skin, pain in the legs, swelling or slight pastosity, as well as an increase in local temperature and a decrease or even absence of motor activity.

In addition to the listed clinical manifestations, headaches, periodic muscle spasms, chills and a decrease in the sensitivity threshold of the skin are possible.

Myositis of the legs most often manifests itself in the area of the calf muscles, which are most actively involved in motor activity, in particular, when walking.

Symptoms of myositis of the legs, such as muscle weakness, increased severity of pain during movement and a sharp limitation of mobility of the joints of the lower extremities, are the most common when the muscles of the legs are affected.

Symptoms of myositis of the thigh muscles

Damage to the thigh muscles is possible as a result of exposure to a traumatic or inflammatory factor, which provokes an increase in the intensity of the pain syndrome. As a result, a person's motor activity is disrupted, which affects their quality of life.

Symptoms of myositis of the thigh muscles are much less common than, for example, myositis of the neck or back, but one should still remember its clinical picture.

Symptoms of myositis of the thigh muscles are largely no different from clinical manifestations of myositis of other muscles. Characteristic signs are local pain, which can increase and spread to other areas - the lower back, groin and leg with significant physical exertion.

During muscle tension, they contract, which is prevented by tissue swelling. As a result, pain increases and mobility in the joint is limited. With prolonged myositis, muscle weakness may increase, up to the onset of atrophic processes in the muscle.

Symptoms of myositis of the calf muscles

This disease can not only cause intense pain in the legs, but also prevent any motor activity. The calf muscles take direct or indirect part in performing various movements (walking, running, lifting weights, bending).

As a result, all these movements cannot be performed if there is pain in the legs. In addition, it is physical activity that increases the intensity of pain and makes a person give it up for several days.

Symptoms of myositis of the calf muscles occur after exposure to an infectious agent or a traumatic factor. In addition, it is worth noting that long walking in heels contributes to the increase in pain syndrome.

The characteristic symptoms of myositis of the calf muscles allow one to distinguish it from many other pathological conditions. When the muscles are affected, the pain is aching and intensifies under the influence of physical activity.

When trying to palpate the affected calf muscles, it is possible to provoke the appearance of more intense pain. In addition, dense areas of the muscle with single nodules and cords are palpated.

Symptoms of myositis in children

Children suffer from myositis to the same extent as adults, even more often in some cases (if exposed to a traumatic factor). Symptoms of myositis in children mainly appear in the morning, when the muscles are still “cold” and there is slight swelling.

In addition, the affected muscles tend to swell even more, which provokes a reflex spasm, which leads to pinching of the nerve endings. As a result, intense pain is observed, which increases due to motor activity.

The first symptoms of myositis in children develop several days after the influence of the provoking factor. The pain can spread to surrounding muscle groups, further limiting the baby's mobility. If the nerve plexuses are involved in the process, pain may occur in more distant parts of the body that are innervated by this plexus.

Clinical manifestations of myositis increase in intensity in the absence of treatment and can lead to complete immobilization of a certain area of the body. However, it is worth remembering that it is the pain syndrome that gradually decreases, but muscle spasm increases and can subsequently lead to asymmetry of the face, skin folds on the neck, or back.

Symptoms of thoracic myositis

The prevalence of thoracic myositis is quite high, since these muscle groups are directly involved in breathing, which is an integral part of our lives.

The symptoms of thoracic myositis are practically no different from those of other muscle groups, but it is worth remembering that if pain occurs in the neck area with myositis of the cervical muscles, then a person can limit movement in this area, which cannot be said about the muscles of the chest.

No matter how hard you try to limit your breathing, you still can't completely prevent the pain syndrome. The pain is present at night, when a person's breathing is not as deep and frequent, and even after a long night's rest the pain syndrome does not disappear.

Symptoms of thoracic myositis are characterized by increasing tissue swelling due to muscle damage, reddening of the skin over them, and an increase in local temperature. There is also a decrease in the threshold of skin sensitivity, as a result of which any touch is perceived very acutely.

In case of severe myositis, the muscles of the larynx and pharynx may be involved in the pathological process. As a result, difficulty in swallowing is observed, shortness of breath and coughing increase. These symptoms are caused by increasing swelling of the larynx muscles. Headaches and dizziness are possible later.

Symptoms of intercostal myositis

At the beginning of the development of myositis, it is very difficult to independently differentiate myositis from intercostal neuralgia, since both pathologies are characterized by pain syndrome, which intensifies with the movement of the chest during breathing.

Symptoms of intercostal myositis, in addition to pain, also include tissue swelling, hyperemia, and increased sensitivity of the skin over the affected muscle area.

Distinctive symptoms of intercostal myositis include increasing pain when pressing on the muscles throughout the intercostal space, the presence of pain after prolonged rest and at rest.

Palpation examination reveals compaction of muscle fibers and the presence of small nodules. Difficulty is caused by turns, bends of the body, and active breathing movements.

In addition, it is necessary to highlight that when exposed to a cold factor, the pain syndrome increases in severity, and the temperature above the muscles becomes higher than in adjacent areas.

Symptoms of myositis of the hand

When the arm muscles are affected, typical myositis clinical manifestations are observed. As a result of the provoking factor, pain syndrome begins to bother after a few days.

Symptoms of myositis of the hand cause an increase in pain when attempting to perform any movement that requires the affected muscle groups. Contraction of muscles due to tension provokes an increase in the intensity of pain as a result of pinching of nerve endings.

When palpating, an increase in symptoms is also noted. In addition to pain, tissue swelling occurs, causing the arm to increase in diameter, as well as redness and increased sensitivity of the skin.

In order for the symptoms of myositis of the hand not to have such a pronounced intensity, it is necessary to reduce its motor activity. Thus, with prolonged immobilization of the hand, muscle weakness and further atrophy may develop.

The pain may radiate to surrounding areas, such as the neck, shoulder blade, or chest.

Symptoms of myositis of the shoulder

Under the influence of cold, infectious or traumatic factors, muscle damage occurs, which manifests itself as pain at rest, during movement and palpation.

During the process of muscle contraction to perform the necessary movement, nerve endings are pinched, which provokes increased pain.

The symptoms of shoulder myositis are so pronounced that not only the shoulder joint, but also the surrounding ones cannot perform their functions. In mild myositis, clinical manifestations may disappear in a few days, but only if adequate treatment is used. Usually, warmth, rest, and painkillers are sufficient.

Symptoms of shoulder myositis may return after repeated exposure of the shoulder to the provoking factor. Thus, the clinical picture may recur, resulting in myositis becoming chronic. Severe myositis requires complex treatment and long-term rest for the shoulder joint.

In the chronic form, muscle atrophy comes to the fore, leaving behind hyperemia and increased sensitivity of the skin.

Symptoms of myositis of the eye

Myositis can affect all muscles that are exposed to cold, trauma or infectious agents. Orbital myositis belongs to this group of diseases and is characterized by clinical manifestations typical for the pathology.

Myositis can affect one muscle or several at the same time, which determines the intensity and nature of the symptoms. Thus, the clinical picture of the disease includes acute pain, which intensifies when trying to move the eye to the side, up, in general, with any motor activity.

Symptoms of myositis of the eye also include swelling of the eyelids, their incomplete opening, and in some cases double vision. Injection of blood vessels is noted above the affected muscles.

A slight exophthalmos is also possible. Symptoms of myositis of the eye in acute disease can disappear in 1.5 months, provided that the rules are followed and effective treatment is selected.

In case of chronic course, the duration of which exceeds 2-3 months, and maybe years, myositis can provoke the development of restrictive myopathy. During the entire period, the disease is characterized by relapses and periods of remission.

Symptoms of parasitic myositis

Muscle damage can occur as a result of exposure to cold, traumatic or infectious factors. The parasitic type of myositis should be singled out separately. It is caused by the activity of parasites (cysticerci or trichinella), aimed at damaging muscle fibers.

Characteristic symptoms of parasitic myositis are an increase in general body temperature, which distinguishes it from other forms of myositis. In addition, pain syndrome is present in all muscles affected by parasites. Most often, these are the muscles of the chest, lower and upper extremities, tongue and chewing muscles.

Symptoms of parasitic myositis also include pronounced swelling of the tissues of the affected areas. Among the general clinical manifestations, it is worth highlighting the dysfunction of the digestive tract, which is expressed by nausea, vomiting and intestinal disorders.

Depending on the damage of certain organs and structures by parasites, symptoms of their damage may be added. For example, with echinococcosis, the formation of round-shaped foci in the liver is observed, which in turn causes pain in the right hypochondrium and changes in the biochemical blood test (increased liver enzymes).

Symptoms of myositis depend on the activity of the damaging factor, the duration of its influence and the degree of activity of the inflammatory process in the muscle. With timely access to a doctor and the appointment of effective treatment, you can get rid of myositis in the shortest possible time without complications.