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 the bone and connective tissue. Either a cellular connection or both are affected. The second name of the disease is coxarthrosis, which manifests itself more often in women after 40 years.
Causes of disease development
The disease is not inherited, but the presence of genetic characteristics of tissues and bones can provoke its development and transmission from parents to children. Osteoarthritis of the hip 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 the 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
Arthrosis of the hip joint is of two types:
- Primary or idiopathic. It develops after 50 years. Changes to symmetrical joint lesions. The course is disappointing, it is difficult to determine the cause of the destruction of the pelvic joints.
- Medium. It is characteristic of a young age, the impetus is various pathologies. The loss 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 develops gradually, each of the 3 stages is accompanied by distinctive symptoms:
- Initial stage. First degree arthrosis of the hip joint is accompanied by signs:
- persistent hip pain caused by exercise, pelvic stress;
- groin discomfort;
- lack of movement restrictions;
- slight narrowing of the joint space.
- Second degree disease. There is an aggravation, in the pelvic region, the local temperature rises. Pain at rest and during exercise. 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 "initial" pain accompanying movements after rest;
- restriction of movement, which leads to the destruction of cartilage and inflammation;
- appearance of lameness;
- difficulty in abducting the leg, bending the limbs;
- muscle atrophy, in which the affected leg appears weak;
- the joint space narrows, there is bone compression during radiography.
- The last, stage 3. It talks 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;
- limping while walking;
- complete immobility of the joint, this blocks the pelvic joint;
- the absence of a layer of cartilage, the surfaces of the bones are connected.
Diagnosis of arthrosis
The appearance of early symptoms does not prompt a person to go to the clinic and he prefers self-medication. However, arthrosis of the hip joint requires urgent medical care and timely diagnosis. In consultations, the presence of arthritis, which leads to a complication in the form of coxarthrosis, is denied or confirmed. To do this, turn to specialists such as:
- therapist;
- neurologist;
- rheumatologist;
- orthopedist (surgeon).
The examination is complex, therefore all diagnostic measures are carried out in two directions:
- Clinical diagnosis:
- examination (finding out where it hurts);
- bending, direction, rotation of limbs;
- asymmetry of the legs;
- pain on palpation.
- Instrumental examination:
- X-ray:
- CT;
- MRI;
- ultrasound;
- draining 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 several methods.
In an early stage of development, conservative treatment is used, in stage 2 the development of the 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 designs a series of therapeutic measures, consisting of drug treatment and physiotherapy procedures. The 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: medications, therapeutic massage, gymnastics, osteopathy. To treat arthrosis in non-surgical ways means to prevent surgical intervention. First of all, the doctor prescribes pain relievers to relieve the pain symptoms that constantly accompany the 2nd degree hip joint arthrosis.
Drugs
Drug treatment consists of the use of the drugs shown in the table:
| GROUP | Therapeutic action |
|---|---|
| Anti-inflammatory (non-steroidal) | Symptomatic, helps to anesthetize the limbs and has an anti-inflammatory effect |
| Steroid hormones | They are used in case of lack of result during the use of non-steroidal drugs, they help relieve pain and inflammation. |
| Chondroprotectors | Restores the structure of the cartilage tissue, improves the production of synovial fluid |
| Hyaluronic acid | It is 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 to locate the disease in any part of the body. A special system of exercises will strengthen the muscles, remove unpleasant sensations during training.
- Massage and manual therapy - passive muscle restoration. Especially useful in the first stage of the development of the pathology.
- Phonophoresis enhances the effect of ultrasound drugs. If you smear the TBS area with a medicine and apply ultrasound, it will quickly penetrate the skin.
- Common attraction. The use of a special apparatus will increase the intra-articular gap.
- Diet. It helps relieve pressure on joints. Properly selected products improve well-being, but dietary food is not included in the main therapeutic method.
Folk remedies
At home, traditional medicine methods come to the rescue. The patient can be warmed and placed in compresses, which relieve inflammation and reduce swelling.
Using a compress with honey, aloe juice, sea salt ensures a blood flow to the inflamed area, helps to improve blood circulation in it. Folk remedies are part of the complex treatment of 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 arthrosis of the hip joint. You must adhere to the following recommendations:
- exclude a sedentary lifestyle;
- do sports;
- monitor body weight;
- rejection of bad habits;
- timely correct congenital and acquired hip defects.
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 receive effective treatment and avoid surgery.