Collagen Diseases |
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Other
types of rheumatic diseases are grouped under the general heading of
collagen diseases. Collagen is the term applied to the supporting
connective tissues of the body. Bursitis is an
inflammation of a bursa or pocket (from the Latin for purse) lined with
smooth lubricating membrane. Such bursae are located near joints and
where muscles slide over each other. Their purpose is to minimize
friction. A commonly inflamed bursa is
the one near the shoulder. A formerly common
condition. housemaid's knee, was due to an inflammation of the bursa
below the knee-joint. Fibrositis is an inflammation involving the fibrous tissues in
tendons, joint-supporting sheaths, or capsules or muscle sheaths. This
is variously named tenosynovitis (inflammation of tendons),
tenomysositis (inflammation of tendons and muscle) and lumbago. The
latter is a form of low-back pain due either to spinal disc injury or
to rheumatic inflammation of the mixed muscle-tendon-joint structures
at the base of the spine. Because many stresses occur here, the area is
frequently subject to rheumatic influences. |
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