Hoff's disease

The elderly often suffer from joint pain, especially in the hands and knees. This occurs as a result of natural resolution of bone and cartilaginous tissues. But there are cases when the same problem occurs in young people. But in such cases, it will be associated with the emergence of various diseases. One of these is Hoff's disease.

In order to diagnose it in time, you should know what is the cause of the onset, and what are the main symptoms of the disease.

Causes of Hoff's disease

Goff's disease or lipoarthritis is an aseptic (without infection by viruses and microbes) inflammation of the fat tissue of Goff's bodies, as a result of which they gradually lose their ability to amortize. There are 2 stages of the development of the disease: acute and chronic. If the first is not cured in time, then it passes into the second.

There are several reasons for the development of Hoff's disease in the knee joint:

• trauma, obtained at any age: fall, sharp turn or extension;
• uncomfortable posture at work: sitting squatting or leaning on the knees, for example: for cyclists or polishers;
• hormonal changes (climax);
• constant large load on the knee joint. This is found in athletes, artists, especially ballet and circus;
• arthrosis.

Symptoms of Hoff's Disease

The acute stage of the course of the disease is easy to determine:

• weakness of the quadriceps;
• Extension of the joint is limited;
• there are sharp pains;
• redness occurs;
• localized edema is formed.

The doctor with these signs diagnoses Hoff's disease very easily, even with a simple examination.

It is more difficult to determine the disease in a chronic stage of percolation. It is worth paying attention to such symptoms:

• the appearance of pain at night and when trying to lean on the affected limb;
• decrease in the activity of the quadriceps femoris muscle;
• next to the knee, new formations are formed, releasing a crack when pressing on them;
• The joint of the knee begins to function unstably.

To confirm the diagnosis, in addition to examination with palpation, additional studies will be required: arthroscopy, MRI or CT.

Treatment of Hoff's disease

For any stage of Hoff's disease in the knee joint, there are 2 treatment options:

• radical (operating);
• conservative.

With a mild and moderate form of the disease, there may be sufficient and anti-inflammatory therapy, which will be as follows:

1. Setting the resting mode for the affected joint, that is recommended bed rest with limited movement.
2. Entering the joint hormonal drugs ( corticosteroids ), reducing inflammation.
3. Conducting physical procedures (irradiation with a lamp Solluks, laser and oxygen therapy, mud and paraffin ozocerite applications, electromyostimulation).
4. LFK, that is, exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles of the extensor of the shin and restoring the mobility of the knee.

In severe cases and with the progression of Hoff's disease, doctors recommend restoring joint activity with the help of surgical intervention, namely by cutting (or removing) the affected part of Goff's bodies (strangulated), as well as knots formed at the knee. This surgical procedure is performed by arthroscopic method.

After the operation for 2-3 weeks, the patient needs rehabilitation, which will stimulate the formation of full fat bodies and restoration of the depreciation function of the knee. It will consist in:

• Physiotherapy (the procedures are the same as for conservative treatment);
• massage;
• occupations exercise therapy ;
• reception of baths, mud and with mineralized waters (iodine-bromine, sulphide and radon).

When treating Goff's disease, folk remedies can only be relieved of pain, so if you want to get a positive effect, you should consult your doctor if you see the first signs of the disease.