Definition

Noun A medical condition characterized by local inflammation of muscle and connective tissue, often causing pain and stiffness.

Usage

This is a technical medical term. It is used to describe a specific inflammatory condition affecting the soft tissues of the body, particularly muscles and the fibrous connective tissue (fascia) that surrounds them.

Examples

• The patient's chronic pain was diagnosed as fibromyositis.
• Fibromyositis can cause significant tenderness in the affected muscle groups.
• Treatment for fibromyositis often involves anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in differential diagnosis to distinguish this localized inflammation from more widespread conditions like fibromyalgia.
• It may be specified by anatomical location, e.g., "cervical fibromyositis" for inflammation in the neck muscles.

Variants and Related Words

• Fibromyalgia (n): A related but distinct chronic syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness, without the specific "local inflammation" denoted by fibromyositis.
• Myositis (n): Inflammation of muscle tissue alone.
• Fasciitis (n): Inflammation of the fascia (connective tissue). Fibromyositis implies a combination of both myositis and fasciitis.

Synonyms

• Muscular rheumatism (an older, less precise term)
• Soft tissue rheumatism

Notes on Meaning

The term specifically denotes local inflammation. It should not be confused with non-inflammatory pain syndromes. The "fibro-" part refers to fibrous connective tissue, and "-myositis" refers to inflammation of muscle.

Noun

1. local inflammation of muscle and connective tissue