One of the most common pathologies in the musculoskeletal system is arthrosis of the deformed hip joint. The progressive process affects hyaline cartilage, destroys bone and connective tissue. Both a mobile connection and both are affected. The second name of this disease is coxarthrosis, which is more often shown in women after 40 years.
The reasons for the development of the disease
This disease is not inherited, but the presence of genetic characteristics of tissues and bones can trigger the development and transmission from parents to children. Hip arthrosis is considered an age-related problem, which is caused by the aging of the body. There are cases when the process of hip joint destruction begins in young people.
The main causes of hip arthrosis include pathologies that trigger 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.
Disease varieties
Arthritis of the hip joint consists of two types:
- Primary or idiopathic. Develop after 50 years. Differs in symmetrical lesions in the joints. The course is disappointing, it is difficult to determine the cause of the destruction of the pelvic joint.
- Secondary. It is characteristic of young age, impulses are various pathologies. Defeat of one joint is characteristic: left or right. The course is slow, and if you take the medicine prescribed by the doctor and follow the recommendations, then the pathology responds well to treatment.
This disease leads to complete destruction of the joint.
Stages of coxarthrosis and characteristic symptoms
The process of hip joint destruction occurs gradually, each of the 3 stages is accompanied by its own symptoms:
- Early stage. Stage 1 arthrosis of the hip joint is accompanied by signs:
- intermittent hip pain due to exercise, pelvic pressure;
- discomfort in the groin;
- lack of movement restrictions;
- slight narrowing of the joint space.
- 2nd degree disease. There is an aggravation, in the pelvic area, the local temperature rises. Pain at rest and during exercise. The development of arthrosis of the 2nd degree of the hip joint is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- the pain syndrome is disturbing and intense, especially at night;
- characteristic "starting" pain that accompanies movement after rest;
- restriction of movement, which leads to the destruction of cartilage and inflammation;
- appearance of lameness;
- difficulty in abducting the leg, bending the limb;
- muscle atrophy, where the affected leg appears limp;
- the joint space narrows, there is bone compaction during radiography.
- Finally, stage 3. He talks about irreversible processes. It is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- the joints are always sore, the general condition worsens;
- changes in the size of the lower limbs;
- lameness when walking;
- complete immobility of the joint, this hinders the pelvic joint;
- lacking a layer of cartilage, the bone surface is connected.
Diagnosis of arthrosis
The occurrence of early symptoms does not prompt a person to go to the clinic, and he prefers self-treatment. However, hip joint arthrosis requires immediate medical attention and timely diagnosis. At the consultation, the presence of arthritis, which leads to complications in the form of coxarthrosis, is denied or confirmed. To do this, turn to experts such as:
- therapist;
- neurologist;
- rheumatologist;
- orthopedic specialist (surgeon).
The examination is complex, therefore, all diagnostic steps are carried out in two directions:
- Clinical diagnostics:
- examination (finding where it hurts);
- bending, straightening, rotation of limbs;
- leg asymmetry;
- pain on palpation.
- Instrumental examination:
- radiography:
- CT;
- MRI;
- ultrasound;
- fluid injection 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 level of damage, hip joint arthrosis treatment is carried out with several methods.
At the initial stage of development, conservative treatment is used, at stage 2 the development of the pathology is stopped, and stage 3 arthrosis can be cured by radical methods.
After confirming the diagnosis of arthrosis of the hip joint, the doctor makes a set of therapeutic measures, which consists of treatment with pharmaceutical procedures and physiotherapy. Treatment aims to eliminate the symptoms of pain and inflammation, stopping the process. In severe cases, surgical treatment with prosthetics is used.
conservative method
With stage 1 and 2 coxarthrosis of the hip joint, an integrated approach can help: drugs, therapeutic massage, gymnastics, osteopathy. To treat arthrosis in a non-surgical way means preventing surgical intervention. First of all, the doctor prescribes painkillers to relieve the pain symptoms that always accompany arthrosis of the hip joint of the 2nd degree.
Medicines
Drug treatment consists of the use of drugs presented in the table:
| Group | Therapeutic action |
|---|---|
| Anti-inflammatory (non-steroidal) | Symptomatic, helps anesthetize the limbs and has an anti-inflammatory effect |
| Steroid hormones | They are used if there is no result when using non-steroidal drugs, help relieve pain and inflammation. |
| Chondroprotectors | Restores the structure of cartilage tissue, increases the production of synovial fluid |
| Hyaluronic acid | Injected into the joint to lubricate the articular surface |
| Relax the muscles | Reduces muscle tone, increases blood flow through the vessels |
Physiotherapy
With coxarthrosis, massage, exercise therapy, electrophoresis, cryotherapy and more are useful. Let's take a closer look at the main ones:
- Exercise therapy is the basis of therapy. It will help with the localization of the disease in any part of the body. A special training system will strengthen the muscles, eliminate uncomfortable sensations during training.
- Massage and manual therapy - passive rehabilitation of muscles. Especially useful in the first stage of the development of pathology.
- Phonophoresis enhances the effect of medication with ultrasound. If you apply the TBS area with medicine and use ultrasound, it will quickly penetrate the skin.
- Joint traction. The use of special apparatus will increase the intra-articular gap.
- Diet. Helps relieve stress on joints. Properly selected products improve well-being, but dietary nutrition is not included in the main therapeutic method.
People's recovery
At home, traditional medicine comes to the rescue. The patient can be heated and put on a compress, which relieves inflammation and reduces swelling.
The use of compresses with honey, aloe juice, sea salt provides blood flow to the inflamed area, helping to improve blood circulation in it. Folk rehabilitation is part of the initial complex treatment, as well as 2-3 degrees of pathology.
Severe damage is treated with surgery. Diseased joints are replaced with metal ones.
Prevention of arthrosis of the hip joint
It is not difficult to prevent arthrosis of the hip joint. You must adhere to the following recommendations:
- exclude a sedentary lifestyle;
- doing sports;
- monitor weight;
- to reject bad habits;
- timely correction of congenital and acquired defects of the hip.
Coxarthrosis is dangerous, so prevention after 40 years is important for everyone. But there are also risk groups, which include 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.