Arthrosis of the hip joint is a progressive degenerative-dystrophic disease, which is based on the wear and tear of the function and structure of the hip joint.
Initially, the articular cartilage is pulled into the process, it becomes thinner, fragmented. As the pathological process progresses, bone growth begins to form along the articular surface. Among diseases of the musculoskeletal system, arthrosis of the hip joint accounts for 39 to 48% of cases.
As a rule, the disease develops in people over the age of 40, with equal frequency in women and men. The only gender difference is that hip joint coxarthrosis is more severe in women than men.
Allocation of primary and secondary arthrosis of the hip joint. If primary hip arthrosis is diagnosed, it is impossible to determine the cause of the process. In primary coxarthrosis, other joints can be involved simultaneously in the process - the knee, spine.
Secondary osteoarthritis of the hip joint occurs against the background of existing pathology of the hip joint: congenital dislocation, Perthes disease, inflammation of the joints, trauma. The classification of coxarthrosis depends on the cause of the disease.
What is coxarthrosis
- involuntary - occurs as a result of age -related changes
- dysplastic - against the background of congenital backwardness of the joints
- after trauma - after neck fracture, femoral head
- after infection - as a complication of purulent, allergic processes in the joints
- dyshormonal - as a result of long -term use of corticosteroids
- metabolic - develops as a result of metabolic disorders
- coxarthrosis of the hip joint - as a complication of Perthes disease
- idiopathic - the cause is unclear (primary).
Causes of osteoarthritis of the hip joint
- constant load on the joints (professional athletes, people who walk a lot, people who are overweight at risk)
- joint trauma (if you have previously suffered a neck fracture or hip joint head, then arthrosis may develop over time)
- burdened offspring (if your relatives have problems with metabolism, weakness of bone tissue, then you are at risk). However, there is no clear hereditary relationship between patients suffering from coxarthrosis of the hip joint.
- previously transferred arthritis - an inflammatory process in the joint (even if treated) can trigger coxarthrosis in the future
- hormonal and metabolic changes - against the background of impaired metabolism, arthrosis of the hip joint may appear.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the hip joint
The main symptoms of coxarthrosis are pain in the thighs and groin, lameness, shortening of the affected leg, and atrophy of the thigh muscles.
Depending on the severity of symptoms and x-ray changes, there are three degrees of coxarthrosis, or stages of the disease:
- The first stage: pain in the joint area occurs only after excessive exercise and disappears during rest. Only small bone growth was determined on radiographs.
- The second stage: the pain becomes more intense, giving to the knees and groin. Can occur even at rest. There is a change in gait. X-rays showed significant bone growth.
- The third level: the pain of being a constant companion, can interfere even in dreams. The patient can move only with a cane. Radiologically, extensive bone growth, femoral head deformation were determined; at the top-outside, the joint space is almost undefined.
Treatment of arthrosis of the hip joint
Coxarthrosis is a disease that gradually leads to the disability of the patient. That is why the treatment of arthrosis of the hip joint should be carried out under the watchful supervision of an experienced physician. He is the one who, taking into account the severity of the disease, will choose an adequate treatment regimen, helping you return to a normal lifestyle again.
The first step in treatment is to "unload" the diseased joint: you need to reduce motor activity, choose an aid for movement (for example, a cane).
The next step is drug therapy: painkillers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, chondroprotectors.
If the disease has gone away, then arthroplasty is needed - replacement of the hip joint. Thanks to such surgeries, patients who have lost hope of being able to move freely again are able to live comfortably and independently.
The outcome of the disease largely depends on the patient himself: whether he will strictly adhere to the doctor’s recommendations, whether he will agree to surgery. Unfortunately, coxarthrosis of the hip joint is an ever -progressive process. And successful success in combating this disease is only the result of the patient’s hard work.
Prevention of hip arthrosis (coxarthrosis)
Any disease is easier to prevent than to treat. How to prevent osteoarthritis of the hip joint? Specific prevention of coxarthrosis has not been developed. Still, there is no need to give up and let everything go smoothly. There are some general principles, adherence to which will help prevent coxarthrosis:
Rule one: strict control over weight. People who are overweight are not only at risk for hypertension.
Similarly, extra pounds produce an increased load on the hip joint. Therefore, the slogan "go down with extra pounds" is not excessive in the prevention of coxarthrosis.
Rule two: adequate physical activity. It is no coincidence that symptoms of hip joint arthrosis often appear in professional athletes involved in running and jumping.
Excessive load on the hip joint wears it, with age, professional athletes can develop coxarthrosis. That’s why you can’t abuse walking. Any physical activity should be taken.
Rule three: if you have a metabolic disorder, you should try to balance it out. Incidentally metabolic disorders can trigger many concomitant diseases, including coxarthrosis.
That is why any metabolic disorder requires efficient treatment. Adjust your metabolism - significantly reduces the risk of coxarthrosis.
Please note that the prevention of coxarthrosis is impossible without adequate choice of profession. If you have a history of congenital back pain of the hip joint, neck fracture, femoral head, purulent disease of the hip joint, then you are at risk.
You should not tempt fate. Professions associated with increased physical activity are taboo for you. But "sedentary" expertise is best suited for you.
Regular swimming is the best prevention of coxarthrosis. After all, it is while you are in the water that the joints are unloaded, kind of break them.
The main prevention of coxarthrosis is the timely detection, treatment and monitoring of patients with congenital malformations of the hip joint.
Secondary prevention of coxarthrosis consists of timely diagnosis of the early stages of coxarthrosis, treatment of primary manifestations, as well as in slowing the further progression of the disease. Timely detection and early treatment of coxarthrosis of the hip joint can have a positive impact on the prognosis of the disease.