Arthrosis (arthrosis) of the hip joint is a chronic, progressive pathology in which degenerative-dystrophic processes occur in the area of \u200b\u200bthe joints of the pelvic bones. More specifically, there is destruction of the hyaline cartilage that lines the femoral head and acetabulum, the contacting surfaces of the pelvic bones.
The second name of the pathology is coxarthrosis of the hip joints.
Osteoarthritis of the hip joints: features of the disease
First-hand knowledge of what coxarthrosis is most common is for the elderly, mainly women, who are at risk of developing pathology after 45 years. Such a selective occurrence of the pathology arises from the peculiarities of the structure of the female pelvic bones, as well as their direct involvement in the process of childbirth. In men, arthrosis of the hip joints (coxarthrosis) occurs mainly after the age of 65.
An important role in the pathogenesis of coxarthrosis is played by the natural aging of the body, when the most stressed joints of the bones begin to collapse.
Also, the disease can be triggered by a number of infectious, traumatic, non-inflammatory diseases, their combination. Osteoarthritis is first manifested by pain and a decrease in the movement activity in the pelvic area, then its consequences become more serious - the affected limb is shortened.
classification of the disease
Types of osteoarthritis of the hip joint depend on the features of its development and the cause of its occurrence. Often there is post-traumatic arthrosis of the hip joint - it occurs after an injury. The classification also includes the following types of osteoarthritis:
- Dysplastic - due to dysplasia that appeared in childhood, but was not cured;
- Static - associated with an uneven load on the pelvic area, which occurs with pathologies of the foot, knee and ankle;
- Post-infectious - occurs after various inflammatory diseases;
- Primary chronic - develops in the elderly due to the aging of the body.
Any type of disease can be called "deforming arthrosis of the hip joint", since the pathology leads to a violation of the shape and appearance of the pelvic articulation of the bones.
In addition, depending on the severity of the changes, the disease is divided into 3 grades, the symptoms of which are described below in the text.
Reasons for the development of osteoarthritis
Signs of coxarthrosis can appear even without obvious prerequisites, which is due to natural degenerative processes in the joint. It has a narrow gap while withstanding large and constant loads, so it wears out sooner than others. First, blood flow to the tissue is disrupted, reducing the supply of nutrients to the hyaline cartilage. Metabolic processes are disturbed, the cartilage dries out, cracks form. In addition, the articular surfaces are quickly worn out, destroyed - arthrosis of the hip joint progresses. Symptoms can appear even faster if the body is affected by a number of provoking factors:
- Any Injury;
- Physical work, heavy sports;
- diseases of the spine, including curvature;
- flat feet;
- Arthritis against the background of an infectious process;
- Articular dysplasia transmitted in childhood;
- metabolic diseases;
- overweight;
- Rheumatism and other autoimmune pathologies.
Against the background of the influence of such factors, the disease can develop much faster - after 30-40 years.
Symptoms of coxarthrosis
Signs of osteoarthritis of the hip joint largely depend on their degree. During pathology, three degrees (stages) are distinguished:
- First Degree. With physical overload, pain occurs - after long walks, runs, associated with aching, dull sensations in the pelvic area (pass after a short break). The pain does not radiate to other parts of the leg. First degree deforming arthrosis of the hip joint does not cause any changes in gait, the muscles function fully. At the end of the phase, slight limitations in leg movement may occur;
- second degree.Pain in osteoarthritis of the hip joint in this case becomes more pronounced. Pain occurs with minimal exertion, discomfort appears in the evening after a day's work. There is pain at night, at rest. A crunching, a feeling of friction in the joint is added. When a person walks for a long time, swaying movements in the gait can be noticed. It becomes difficult to put on shoes, put your foot to the side;
- third degree.The work of the pelvic bones is severely impaired (in primary arthrosis, both joints are affected, in other types, usually only one). The pain in the groin is constant, excruciating, it gives to the knee. The thigh muscles are atrophied. The leg becomes shorter, so a person uses crutches and a cane to get around.
Ankylosis later develops, in which movement is no longer possible at all.
diagnosis of the disease
What is coxarthrosis of the hip joint, what is its degree and how to treat the disease? Any problems should be resolved after diagnosis. Despite the fact that the main method of establishing the diagnosis is radiography, the patient needs to be consulted and tested by a number of narrow specialists. This will help find the cause of the disease and act against it. So, coxarthrosis can be triggered by osteochondrosis, flat feet, urological and gynecological infections, and their treatment will help stop the destruction of the bone joint.
In order to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the degree of arthrosis, all changes are perfectly visualized in one image - X-ray or CT (MRI):
- The first degree is a slight narrowing of the gap, the appearance of marginal osteophytes;
- Second degree - narrowing of the joint space by 50% of the norm, the appearance of osteophytes on the outer and inner sides of the gap, deformity of the head of the femur, often - the presence of inflammatory changes in the tissues near the articulation of the bones;
- The third degree is a sharp deformity of the joint, the presence of large osteophytes, zones of sclerosis.
treatment of osteoarthritis
Conservative treatment
Ointments, creams, tablets for arthrosis of the hip joint will help only at the first stage of the disease. The drugs can fully restore the cartilage and it is important to start therapy early. Commonly used NSAIDs, corticosteroids, chondroprotectors, drugs based on hyaluronic acid, muscle relaxants. They also practice massage, exercise therapy and therapeutic exercises.
At the second stage it is necessary to combine physiotherapy and mechanical methods of affecting the joint. These include fume hood, UHF, magnetic therapy, shock wave therapy, ultrasound, laser, induction thermal, electrophoresis. Folk remedies for osteoarthritis of the hip joint, like local drugs, are of secondary importance, and the main method of therapy should be drugs.
Be sure to use a diet for coxarthrosis of the hip joint to normalize metabolism and improve cartilage nutrition.
Arthrosis arthroplasty
The third stage of the disease can only be treated surgically. Joint replacement surgery or arthroplasty is recommended to the patient. The surgeon cuts off the head of the femur, inserts a metal pin into the cut, to which the artificial head is attached. After the operation, a long rehabilitation and exercise therapy is carried out, but then the hip joint works fully and the doctor can answer the patient in the affirmative to the question of whether it is possible to squat with hip arthrosis together.
disease prevention
In order to prevent arthrosis of the hip joint, the focus must be on sport and a healthy lifestyle. It is impossible to overload the joints, but it is necessary to eliminate hypodynamia. Good for hiking, swimming, skiing, elliptical trainer. It is also important to lose weight and eat right.
Prevention of arthrosis of the hip joint is also based on early treatment of bruises, injuries affecting the pelvis and spine. In childhood, all congenital diseases of the joints should also be eliminated.
Answers to popular questions
- Who do you contact if you have osteoarthritis? The question of which doctor treats coxarthrosis of the hip joint cannot be answered unequivocally. Of course, first of all, it is recommended to contact a surgeon, traumatologist or orthopedist, which depends on the capabilities of the clinic. In specialized centers, an arthrologist deals with problems of the pelvic joints, but finding such a narrow specialist is not always possible.
Depending on the cause of the disease, in the future you will have to undergo parallel treatment under the supervision of a rheumatologist, neurologist, infectiologist and a number of other doctors;
- Can osteoarthritis be cured? This disease is chronic and cannot be completely eliminated, especially since the main cause is aging. But if you see a doctor for stage 1 osteoarthritis of the hip joint, you can heal any existing changes and then prevent rapid progression. In the subsequent stages, it is possible to stop and eliminate all existing pathological changes and live normally due to regular therapy. Only arthroplasty can save the joint from arthrosis, but it also has a number of disadvantages - from the need for regular replacement of the prosthesis to postoperative complications - pain, thrombosis, infection;
- When are local therapies sufficient and in which cases can a doctor's visit be dispensed with? All ointments can only slightly improve blood microcirculation in the joint area, and also relieve pain, but they do not have a therapeutic effect. In addition, this joint is very deep, which makes it difficult for active ingredients to penetrate. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a doctor at any stage of the disease, regardless of the severity of the manifestations. The disease can only be stopped at an early stage with "little blood" without surgery.
Osteoarthritis of the hip joint is a disabling pathology that cripples a person and prevents him from walking.
The only way to prevent the development of such problems is to start conservative therapy at stages 1-2 of the disease, not forgetting to conduct regular and full-fledged courses.