One of the most common pathologies of the musculoskeletal system is deforming osteoarthritis of the hip joint. The progressive process affects the hyaline cartilage, destroying the bone and connective tissue. Both one mobile connection and both are affected. The second name of the disease is coxarthrosis, which most often manifests itself in women after the age of 40.
Reasons for the development of the disease
The disease is not inherited, but the presence of genetic characteristics of tissues and bones can cause its development and transmission from parents to children. Hip osteoarthritis is considered 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 the young.
The main causes of hip arthrosis include pathologies that provoke the pathological process:
- tissue damage (femoral neck fracture, contusion);
- intense physical activity (sports, weight lifting);
- joint infection (arthritis);
- death of the head of the femur;
- 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, 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 symmetric 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 impulse 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 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 takes place gradually, each of the 3 stages is accompanied by distinctive symptoms:
- Initial stage. Osteoarthritis of the first degree of the hip joint is accompanied by signs:
- intermittent hip pain caused by exercise, pelvic stress;
- groin discomfort;
- lack of movement restrictions;
- Mild joint space narrowing.
- Second degree disease. There is an exacerbation, in the pelvic region, the local temperature rises. Pain at rest and during exertion. The development of the second degree of arthrosis of the hip joint is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- the pain syndrome is intrusive and intense, especially at night;
- characteristic "start" 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;
- muscular atrophy, in which the affected leg appears flaccid;
- the joint space is narrowed, there is bony compaction during the x-ray.
- Finally, stage 3. Talk about irreversible processes. It is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- the joint hurts constantly, the general condition worsens;
- changes in the size of the lower extremities;
- limp when walking;
- complete immobility of the joint, this blocks the pelvic joint;
- lack of cartilage layer, bony surfaces are connected.
Diagnosis of osteoarthritis
The appearance of early symptoms does not push a person to go to the clinic and prefers self-treatment. However, osteoarthritis of the hip joint requires urgent medical attention and timely diagnosis. In consultations, the presence of arthritis is denied or confirmed, which entails a complication in the form of coxarthrosis. To do this, turn to such specialists as:
- therapist;
- neurologist;
- rheumatologist;
- orthopedist (surgeon).
The examination is complex, therefore all diagnostic measures are carried out in two directions:
- Clinical diagnosis:
- examination (find out where it hurts);
- flexion, straightening, rotation of the limb;
- asymmetry of the legs;
- pain on palpation.
- Instrumental examination:
- bone scan:
- CONNECTICUT;
- magnetic resonance;
- ultrasound;
- puncture 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, treatment of arthrosis of the hip joint is carried out by various methods.
At an early stage of development, conservative treatment is used, at stage 2 the development of pathology is stopped, and arthrosis of the third 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 drug treatment and physiotherapy 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 degree of the hip joint, an integrated approach can help: medication, therapeutic massage, gymnastics, osteopathy. Treating osteoarthritis non-surgically means preventing surgical intervention. First of all, the doctor prescribes painkillers to relieve the pain symptoms that constantly accompany arthrosis of the hip joint of the second degree.
medicines
Drug treatment consists in the use of drugs presented in the table:
| Cluster | therapeutic action |
|---|---|
| Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory) | Symptomatic, it helps to anesthetize the extremities and has an anti-inflammatory effect. |
| steroid hormones | They are used in case of not obtaining results when using non-steroidal medicines, they help to relieve 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 articular 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:
- Exercise therapy is the basis of therapy. It will help with the localization of the disease in any part of the body. A special system of exercises will strengthen the muscles, eliminate uncomfortable sensations during exercise.
- Massage and manual therapy - passive restoration of muscles. Especially useful at the first stage of the development of pathology.
- Phonophoresis enhances the effect of drugs with ultrasound. If you smear the TBS area with medicine 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.
Home remedies
At home, the methods of traditional medicine 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 a rush of blood to the inflamed area, helps to improve blood circulation in it. Folk remedies are part of the complex treatment of the initial pathology, as well as 2-3 degrees.
Severe damage is treated with surgery. The diseased joint is replaced with a metal one.
Prevention of arthrosis of the hip joint.
It is not difficult to prevent osteoarthritis of the hip joint. You must follow the following recommendations:
- exclude a sedentary lifestyle;
- do sport;
- control body weight;
- refuse for bad habits;
- timely correct 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. When similar symptoms appear, it is important to immediately consult a doctor. Early diagnosis will allow you to get effective treatment and avoid surgery.