It is impossible to imagine an active and healthy lifestyle without movement. Joints are the most important elements of the musculoskeletal system, which allow a person to move freely and feel full. With age, dystrophic changes in bone and cartilage tissue occur, painful sensations appear that signal the onset of the disease.
The hip joint can withstand enormous loads throughout life, so it is not surprising that the most common pathology of ODA is osteoarthritis of the hip joint. From this article you will learn what it is, as well as the causes, consequences and methods of treatment of coxarthrosis.
Characteristics and causes
Coxarthrosis is a chronic inflammatory process of the hip joint, in which cartilage tissue is destroyed prematurely.
The development of the disease provokes the growth of osteophytes and the fusion of the acetabulum and the head of the femur, which narrows the joint space, the joint loses its functionality.
Let’s clarify that coxarthrosis is the same as osteoarthritis and deforming osteoarthritis of the pelvic joint.
The disease can arise as a primary pathology or develop in the background of existing diseases.
Consider the main causes of coxarthrosis:
- during active or excessive physical exertion (trauma, microtrauma, overload); congenital anomalies (dysplasia, Perthes' disease, primary joint deformity);
- inflammation of the pelvic bones (ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis);
- severe stress (spasm of blood vessels and muscles, aseptic necrosis, hypothermia);
- hormonal disorders;
- ischemic heart disease;
- diseases of the endocrine system (obesity, diabetes mellitus).
A complex of health problems leads to the development of coxarthrosis. The disease is most often diagnosed in middle-aged and elderly people, however, if several provoking factors are present at the same time, young people and even children are susceptible to coxarthrosis.
Symptoms
In order to respond in time to the development of pathology, it is important to notice the characteristic symptoms that change as the arthrosis progresses.
The first and most important symptom is pain in the leg that penetrates the groin, gluteal muscles, sacrum, thigh and knee. The pain increases after physical exertion, with prolonged preservation of standing and sitting position.
Important! Initially, the pain may be slight and does not appear at all in the pelvis, but, for example, in the knee. This fact complicates early diagnosis and accurate diagnosis.
If the disease is not diagnosed in time, the patient will face symptoms of hip osteoarthritis such as:
- severe pain in the groin when walking or resting on the leg;
- painful, rough crunch when moving the hip to the side and walking (it should not be confused with clicking, which is typical of most healthy people);
- joint stiffness, limitation of leg mobility;
- change of gait, lameness, duck gait;
- shortening or lengthening limbs;
- muscle atrophy;
- fixation of the leg in one position (ankylosis).
An important diagnostic sign of coxarthrosis is the physical limitations of bending forward, pulling the hip to the side.
A patient with this diagnosis finds it difficult to tie his shoelaces, sit with his legs spread and sit deep.
There are 3 degrees of osteoarthritis of the acetabulum and head of the femur, which are characterized by the gradual destruction of the joint. Consider their characteristics below.
Stage 1 of coxarthrosis is characterized by mild destruction of cartilage, the joint space is slightly narrowed.
By the second stage, the destruction of cartilage tissue noticeably increases, the first signs of the disease begin to disturb: pain, stiffness.
More serious hip joint damage occurs in 3 stages. It is characterized by deep destruction of cartilage, bone deformation, pain at rest. The disease completely destroys the cartilage and deforms the femur.
The joint loses mobility, the leg is fixed and serves as a support. In this case, conservative therapy is impossible, surgical treatment with joint replacement is needed.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of the disease shows how severely the cartilage is affected and whether the osteoarthritis of the hip joint can be cured.
The success of therapy depends on when treatment is started.
Note. The last phase of coxarthrosis does not respond to conservative therapy and requires surgical intervention. Diagnosing and treating the disease at the onset of the disease increases the chances of recovery.
To make a diagnosis, an external examination is performed, the degree of mobility of the hip joint, changes in gait and leg length are assessed. To confirm primary coxarthrosis, X-rays, CT and MRI are prescribed. If the patient needs surgical treatment, urine, feces, blood and joint fluid are additionally taken.
Treatment of disease
Coxarthrosis is a progressive disease. It is impossible to cure it once, like acute respiratory infections, and forget about the condition of the joints.
Successful treatment of grade 1, 2, and 3 hip deformity requires an integrated approach that combines therapeutic exercise, medication, physiotherapy, and patient lifestyle changes.
In extreme cases, the patient will have to resort to surgical treatment of coxarthrosis. The method of therapy depends on the degree of the disease.
Medications
The first thing to prescribe to a patient diagnosed with osteoarthritis are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers. They act directly on the site of inflammation and provide symptomatic treatment.
Note! It is important to adhere to the dosage and duration of the course prescribed by your doctor. Uncontrolled use of NSAIDs leads to side effects.
For the treatment of coxarthrosis, vasodilators are also prescribed. They are necessary to increase blood flow in the diseased joint, to strengthen the nutrition of cartilage.
Chondroprotectors are used to restore cartilage tissue and joint mobility. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are substances that stimulate the production of new building cells and inhibit the action of enzymes that destroy cartilage tissue.
Massage
Manual therapy or rehabilitation massage is passive gymnastics for the affected joints. Thanks to massage movements, blood circulation and lymphatic drainage are improved, muscles are strengthened, ligaments and tendons become more elastic. This approach to treatment helps reduce pain, enhance the effect of drug therapy, and reduce the need for medication.
Important! The massage should only be performed by a qualified professional. Careless movements will cause even more joint pain and injury.
Physiotherapy exercises
Movement is the basis of life. Gymnastics for osteoarthritis of the hip bones aims to restore cartilage and joint mobility, strengthen the muscular corset.
Regular performance of corrective gymnastics reduces the discomfort in the legs when walking.
Gymnastics allows you to treat hip pain at home.
All movements are aimed at the treatment and prevention of stage 1 and 2 osteoarthritis of the hip joints.
Before starting the exercise, make sure that there are no contraindications for the exercises:
- hypertension;
- critical days;
- infectious diseases;
- increased body temperature;
- recovery period after abdominal and thoracic surgery;
- inguinal and umbilical hernia;
- intervertebral disc herniation;
- acute inflammatory processes of internal organs or exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- severe diseases of the cardiovascular and vascular system.
If a movement causes sharp pain during exercise, it most likely does not suit you, so it is better not to do it and exclude it from the complex.
Diet
Diet therapy for osteoarthritis of the hip is aimed at reducing and maintaining normal weight.
Being overweight increases the load on the spine and joints, creating an additional risk of developing diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
The basis of the diet is a moderate intake of foods rich in vitamins and minerals. Food should be whole and contain the necessary building blocks of cells: proteins, carbohydrates, fats.
Preference should be given to plant foods: nuts, seeds, leafy vegetables, seasonal vegetables and fruits, lean meats and fish, medium fat dairy products, legumes and cereals.
Cow's milk is best consumed in moderation.
Fatty, spicy, smoked, canned, fried, pickled dishes, semi-finished products, alcohol and coffee will have to be excluded from the diet.
Bad habits (smoking, drug addiction, overeating) will also have to be eradicated from your lifestyle as they wear out the body, exposing it to premature aging.
How to get rid of pain with folk remedies
Homeopathy for coxarthrosis of the hip joint is one of the methods of alternative therapy. Based on natural components, homeopaths create medicines aimed at treating pathologies of internal organs and the human skeleton. The peculiarity of homeopathic preparations for osteoarthritis is that they are able to establish a balance between the destruction of cartilage by enzymes and the regeneration of its tissues.
Attention! Before treating a hip joint at home, you must be diagnosed with the disease. It is important not to allow the pathology to get worse, as this can cost a person walking.
Homeopathic medicines, injections and ointments for the treatment of joints are selected based on the physical conditions of the environment and the location of the disease.
Before using any medicine, you must consult a doctor!
Prevention
People who are prone to this pathology should avoid stress, injuries, treat infectious diseases on time, exercise regularly, eat well and get enough sleep.
If you feel discomfort in your legs, it is recommended to contact an orthopedist immediately for diagnosis and treatment.
Conclusion
Osteoarthritis of the hip joints most often affects people over the age of 45, athletes and children with congenital limb pathologies. The disease destroys and deforms the joint, the person experiences excruciating pain in the legs. Successful treatment of coxarthrosis requires the inclusion of therapeutic exercises, medications, correction of the patient's lifestyle and weight, and manual therapy.
Health care is the key to joint longevity! Do not delay a visit to an orthopedist at the first symptoms of the disease.