One of the most common pathologies of the musculoskeletal system is deforming arthrosis of the hip joint. The progressive process affects the hyaline cartilage, destroying bone and connective tissue. Both a mobile connection and both are affected. The second name of the disease is coxarthrosis, which most often occurs in women after 40 years.
Reasons for the development of the disease
The disease is not hereditary, but the presence of genetic characteristics of tissues and bones can cause its development and transmission from parents to children. Hip osteoarthritis is considered to be an age-related problem, which is caused by the aging of the body. There are cases when the process of destruction of the hip joints begins in young people.
The main causes of hip arthrosis include pathologies that provoke the pathological process:
- tissue injury (femoral neck fracture, contusion);
- intense physical activity (sports, weight lifting);
- joint infection (arthritis);
- death of the femoral head;
- obesity;
- endocrine diseases such as diabetes mellitus, metabolic disorders;
- scoliosis.
The hip joint is destroyed under the influence of various factors. Therefore, people with genetic predisposition, overweight, heart disease are at risk.
Varieties of the disease
Osteoarthritis of the hip joint is of two types:
- Primary or idiopathic. It develops after 50 years. Differs in symmetrical lesions of the joints. The course is disappointing, it is difficult to determine the cause of the destruction of the pelvic joints.
- Secondary. It is characteristic of the young age, the pulse is various pathologies. Defeat of a joint is characteristic: left or right. The course is slow, and if you take the drugs prescribed by the doctor and follow the recommendations, then the pathology responds well to treatment.
The disease leads to the complete destruction of the joint.
Degrees of coxarthrosis and characteristic symptoms
The process of destruction of the hip joint occurs gradually, each of the 3 stages is accompanied by distinctive symptoms:
- Initial state. Arthrosis of the 1st degree of the hip joint is accompanied by signs:
- intermittent hip pain caused by exercise, pelvic stress;
- groin discomfort;
- lack of movement restrictions;
- slight narrowing of the joint space.
- 2nd degree disease. There is an exacerbation, in the pelvic region, the local temperature rises. Pain at rest and during exertion. The development of arthrosis of the hip joint 2nd degree is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- the pain syndrome is intrusive and intense, especially at night;
- characteristic "initial" pain accompanying movements after rest;
- restriction of movement, which leads to the destruction of cartilage and inflammation;
- the appearance of lameness;
- difficulty abducting the foot, bending the limb;
- muscle atrophy, in which the affected leg appears flaccid;
- the joint space is narrowed, there is bone compaction on radiography.
- Last, stage 3. Talk about irreversible processes. It is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- the joint constantly hurts, the general condition worsens;
- changes in the size of the lower limbs;
- lameness when walking;
- complete immobility of the joint, this blocks the pelvic joint;
- lack of cartilage layer, bone surfaces are connected.
Osteoarthritis diagnosis
The occurrence of the first symptoms does not prompt a person to go to the clinic and prefer self-treatment. However, osteoarthritis of the hip joint requires urgent medical attention and timely diagnosis. At consultations, the presence of arthritis, leading to a complication in the form of coxarthrosis, is either refuted or confirmed. To do this, contact such specialists as:
- therapist;
- neurologist;
- rheumatologist;
- orthopedist (surgeon).
The examination is complex, therefore all diagnostic measures are carried out in two directions:
- Clinical Diagnostics:
- examination (find out where it hurts);
- flexion, straightening, rotation of the limb;
- leg asymmetry;
- pain on palpation.
- Instrumental examination:
- x-ray:
- CT;
- MRI;
- ultrasound;
- puncture of fluid from the joint cavity (if necessary).
What treatment is needed?
The goal of all therapeutic procedures is to reduce pain and improve joint mobility. Depending on the degree of damage, the treatment of arthrosis of the hip joint is carried out by different methods.
At an early stage of development, conservative treatment is used, at stage 2 the development of pathology is stopped, and arthrosis of the 3rd degree can be cured by radical methods.
After confirming the diagnosis of arthrosis of the hip joint, the doctor works out a set of therapeutic measures, consisting of treatment with drugs and physiotherapeutic procedures. Treatment is aimed at eliminating the symptoms of pain and inflammation, disrupting the processes. In severe cases, surgical treatment with prostheses is used.
conservative methods
With coxarthrosis of the 1st and 2nd degree of the hip joint, an integrated approach can help: medications, therapeutic massage, gymnastics, osteopathy. Treating osteoarthritis in nonsurgical ways means preventing surgery. First of all, the doctor prescribes pain relievers to relieve pain symptoms that constantly accompany arthrosis of the 2nd degree hip joint.
Medicines
Drug treatment consists in the use of drugs presented in the table:
| Group | Therapeutic action |
|---|---|
| Anti-inflammatory (non-steroidal) | Symptomatic, they help to anesthetize the limbs and have an anti-inflammatory effect |
| Steroid hormones | They are used in case of no result when using non-steroidal drugs, they help relieve pain and inflammation. |
| Chondroprotectors | Restores the structure of cartilage tissue, improves the production of synovial fluid |
| Hyaluronic acid | Injected into the joint to lubricate the joint surfaces |
| Muscle relaxants | Reduce muscle tone, improve blood flow through the vessels |
Physiotherapy
With coxarthrosis, massage, exercise therapy, electrophoresis, cryotherapy and many others are useful. Let's take a closer look at the main ones:
- Physical therapy is the basis of therapy. It will help with the localization of the disease anywhere on the body. A special system of exercises will strengthen the muscles, remove unpleasant sensations during exercise.
- Massage and manual therapy - passive recovery of muscles. Especially useful in the first stage of the development of pathology.
- Phonophoresis enhances the effect of drugs with ultrasound. If you smear the TBS area with a drug and apply ultrasound, it will quickly penetrate the skin.
- Joint traction. The use of a special appliance will increase the intra-articular gap.
- Diet. Helps relieve pressure on the joint. Properly selected products improve well-being, but dietary nutrition is not included in the main therapeutic method.
Folk remedies
At home, traditional medicine methods come to the rescue. The patient can be warmed up and put on compresses, which relieve inflammation and reduce swelling.
The use of a compress with honey, aloe juice, sea salt provides blood flow to the inflamed area, helps improve blood circulation in it. Folk remedies are part of the complex treatment of the initial, as well as 2-3 degrees of pathology.
Severe damage is treated with surgery. The diseased joint is replaced with a metal one.
Prevention of osteoarthritis of the hip joint
It is not difficult to prevent osteoarthritis of the hip joint. You must adhere to the following recommendations:
- exclude a sedentary lifestyle;
- play sport;
- monitor body weight;
- refuse bad habits;
- timely correct congenital and acquired hip defects.
Coxarthrosis is dangerous, so prevention after 40 years is important for everyone. But there is also a risk group, which includes athletes and people with a genetic predisposition. When similar symptoms appear, it is important to see a doctor immediately. Early diagnosis will allow you to get effective treatment and avoid surgery.