One of the most common pathologies of the musculoskeletal system is deforming arthrosis of the hip joint. The progressive process affects the hyaline cartilage and destroys the bone and connective tissue. Both one cellular connection and both are affected. The second name of the disease is coxarthrosis, which manifests itself more often in women after 40 years.
Reasons for the development of the disease
The disease is not inherited, but the presence of genetic features of tissues and bones can provoke its development and transmission from parents to children. Osteoarthritis of the hip is considered an age-related problem 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 are pathologies that provoke the pathological process:
- Tissue injury (femoral neck fracture, contusion);
- intense physical activity (sports, weightlifting);
- joint infection (arthritis);
- femoral head death;
- Obesity;
- endocrine diseases such as diabetes mellitus, metabolic disorders;
- scoliosis.
The hip joint is destroyed under the influence of various factors. Therefore, people with a genetic predisposition, obesity, heart disease are at risk.
varieties of the disease
There are two types of osteoarthritis of the hip joint:
- Primary or idiopathic. 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 a young age, the impetus is various pathologies. The defeat of one joint is characteristic: left or right. The course is slow, and if you take the drugs prescribed by the doctor and follow the recommendations, the pathology will respond 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 characteristic symptoms:
- first phase. Osteoarthritis of the 1st degree of the hip joint is accompanied by signs:
- intermittent hip pain caused by exercise, pelvic stress;
- discomfort in the groin area;
- lack of movement restrictions;
- slight narrowing of the joint space.
- 2nd degree disease. There is an exacerbation, in the pelvic area the local temperature increases. Pain at rest and on exertion. The development of arthrosis of the 2nd degree of the hip joint is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Pain syndrome is intrusive and intense, especially at night;
- characteristic "initial pain" accompanying movements after rest;
- Restricted movement leading to cartilage destruction and inflammation;
- the appearance of lameness;
- Difficulty spreading the foot, flexing the limb;
- muscular atrophy, in which the affected leg looks flabby;
- The joint space is narrowed, bone compaction occurs during radiography.
- Finally stage 3. She speaks of 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;
- Missing cartilage layer, bone surfaces are connected.
Diagnosis osteoarthritis
The appearance of early symptoms does not push a person to go to the clinic, preferring self-treatment. However, arthrosis of the hip joint requires urgent medical attention and timely diagnosis. At consultations, the presence of arthritis, which leads to a complication in the form of coxarthrosis, is refuted or confirmed. To do this, contact specialists such as:
- Therapist;
- Neurologist;
- Rheumatologist;
- Orthopedist (surgeon).
The examination is complex, so all diagnostic measures are carried out in two directions:
- Clinical diagnostics:
- investigation (finding out where it hurts);
- flexion, straightening, rotation of the limb;
- asymmetry of the legs;
- pain on palpation.
- Instrumental test:
- Roentgen:
- CT;
- MRI;
- Ultrasonic;
- Puncture of fluid from the joint cavity (if necessary).
What treatment is required?
The aim of all therapy methods is to relieve pain and improve joint mobility. Osteoarthritis of the hip joint is treated with several methods depending on the degree of damage.
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 draws up a set of therapeutic measures consisting of treatment with drugs and physiotherapeutic procedures. Treatment is aimed at eliminating the symptoms of pain and inflammation, stopping the processes. In severe cases, surgical treatment with prostheses is used.
conservative methods
With coxarthrosis of the 1st and 2nd degrees of the hip joint, an integrated approach can help: medication, therapeutic massage, gymnastics, osteopathy. Treating osteoarthritis non-surgically means preventing surgical intervention. First, the doctor prescribes painkillers to relieve the pain symptoms that constantly accompany stage 2 hip osteoarthritis.
medication
Drug treatment consists in the use of drugs listed in the table:
| group | therapeutic action |
|---|---|
| Anti-inflammatory (nonsteroidal) | Symptomatic, help numb the limbs and have an anti-inflammatory effect |
| steroids | They are used when there is no result when using non-steroidal drugs and help reduce pain and inflammation. |
| chondroprotectors | Restore the structure of cartilage tissue, improve 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 vessels |
physical therapy
With coxarthrosis, massage, exercise therapy, electrophoresis, cryotherapy and many others are useful. Let's take a closer look at the most important ones:
- Movement therapy is the basis of therapy. It helps in localizing the disease in any part of the body. A special exercise system strengthens muscles and eliminates unpleasant sensations during exercise.
- Massage and manual therapy - passive muscle recovery. Especially useful at the first stage of pathology development.
- Phonophoresis enhances the effect of drugs using ultrasound. If you coat the TBS area with medication and use ultrasound, it quickly penetrates the skin.
- Shared Traction. The use of a special device increases 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 method of therapy.
home remedies
At home, methods of traditional medicine will help. The patient can be warmed up and put on compresses that relieve inflammation and reduce swelling.
Using a compress with honey, aloe juice and sea salt will induce a rush of blood to the inflamed area and improve blood circulation. Folk remedies are part of the complex treatment of the initial, as well as 2-3 degrees of pathology.
Severe damage is treated surgically. The diseased joint is replaced with a metal joint.
Prevention of osteoarthritis of the hip joint
Preventing osteoarthritis of the hip joint is not difficult. You must adhere to the following recommendations:
- exclude a sedentary lifestyle;
- play a sport;
- monitor body weight;
- to refuse from bad habits;
- timely correction of congenital and acquired defects in the hip.
Coxarthrosis is dangerous, so prevention after 40 years is important for absolutely everyone. But there is also a risk group, which includes athletes and people with a genetic predisposition. If similar symptoms appear, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. Early diagnosis allows you to receive effective treatment and avoid surgery.