[Arthrology: processes of differentiation and integration]

Modern arthrology, the science of disease of and damages to the joints, is a multidisciplinary section of medicine (rheumatology, orthopedics, pediatrics, allergology, oncology, and so forth). About 4% of the population of the earth suffer from different diseases of the joints. It is noted that the prevalence of joint pathology is non-uniform in different countries and continents. In the XX century, orthopedic arthrology, surgical methods of treatment are developing fairly intensively. The following issues have become a matter of growing concern: the effect of ionizing radiation, including low doses, on the articular cartilage, the role played by stress, disruption of the ecological balance in the genesis of arthrological disease, connection between dysplasia of the joints and subsequent dystrophic processes in them (the sequence dysplasia-dysplastic arthrosis), disturbances of the load of the joints as a pathogenetic mechanism of dystrophic and necrotic processes. In arthrology, special attention should be paid to aseptic necrosis of the jointed bones and to protruding coxarthrosis. The topicality of joint endoprosthetics is stressed as is the necessity of the setting up of the arthrological centres where endoprosthetics and restorative surgery might be up to standard. Unfortunately, the manufacture of joint endoprostheses in this country lags behind the requirements. Lately the problem of infantile and juvenile arthritides has become very urgent, posing the problem of the development of arthrological techniques for diagnosis and surgical treatment of the joints. The Academy of Medical Sciences of the Russian Federation should strengthen its coordinating and integrating roles in further development of arthrology.