Arthrosis of the hip joint - symptoms and treatment

Our body is a complex system in which the breaking of a "screw" causes the breaking of other "parts". In addition to diseases of Organs internal organs, chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, in particular the joints, also cause many problems. Today, I propose to discuss arthrosis of the hip joint. What are the symptoms and recommended treatments.

This joint is the largest joint in the human skeleton. It is constantly used when walking, bending, turning, so the disease brings severe pain and stiffness to the patient. Fortunately, with early diagnosis, the disease is well treated with drugs. But it is not so easy to suspect that something was wrong, it is necessary to know all the characteristics of the disease and to discern the first manifestations. And, of course, take care of the ways to avoid it, and our article will help you with that.

Arthrosis or osteoarthritis of the hip joint is also called coxarthrosis; all of these terms mean one thing - a complex progressive disease with destruction of the cartilage that lines the femoral head and acetabulum. As a result, the joint gradually collapses, turns to bone, grows and loses mobility.

Coxarthrosis - what it is

Let's take a closer look at what coxarthrosis is, as this is the term that doctors often use due to the fact that recently the word "arthrosis" was excluded from medical terminology, since it was believed that it had nothing to dowith inflammation, but later scientists proved otherwise. For us, these disputes are not important, the main thing is that all of these names refer to the same very unpleasant disease.

Therefore, coxarthrosis is a degenerative dystrophic disease that causes the destruction and deformation of cartilage tissue. It is mainly diagnosed in women over 40 and in men over 60.

Why is there so much injustice that women have been wrong in the face of nature? The point here is in the special structure of the female skeleton and the load on the hip joint, especially during labor and birth. As a result, it is middle-aged women who are most likely to suffer from this disease; in the older age group, the number of patients of different sexes is gradually becoming equal.

Causes of arthrosis of the hip joint

The reasons for developing arthrosis in the hip joint can be many.

The most common of them are:

• heredity, if parents or relatives have such a disease, then you need to be more aware of your health, because although the disease itself is not associated with genetics, a predisposition to metabolic disorders and other disorders can causejoint problems;
• strong loads on the pelvis, especially in athletes running, jumping, lifting weights;
• obesity, even a slight weight gain can be negative for the joints, which causes an increase in the load on them, as obese people are more prone to arthrosis;
• injuries, fractures, hematomas of the pelvis;
• endocrine diseases, such as diabetes, can cause bone problems;
• infectious inflammatory processes in the body, for example, purulent or rheumatoid arthritis;
• the presence of problems in the spine or bones (flat feet, scoliosis, osteochondrosis) that alter the posture and put pressure on the joints;
• hormonal imbalance;
• weakening of blood circulation in tissues;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• old age, which is associated with a deterioration in tissue nutrition.

Degree of coxarthrosis

Doctors distinguish 3 degrees or stages of development of the disease, which helps to distinguish the main symptoms. It is important to know that when diagnosing in phase 1 it is quite possible to completely cure the disease and forget about it for many years, and in the third phase, the only correct decision will be an operation, otherwise the patient is at risk of disability.

Stage 1

The following symptoms will help to establish the presence of arthrosis in the 1st degree hip joint:

• pain during and immediately after a heavy load on the joint;
• localization of pain only in the area of ​​the bone junction;
• gait is not changed;
• without lameness;
The
• muscles maintain their strength and shape.

During computer diagnostics, the doctor may notice bone growths on the joint surface, especially along the inner and outer edges of the acetabulum. At this stage, the correctly selected drugs allow you to completely restore the performance of the joint, but not everyone tends to go to the doctor at the first manifestations of pain.

Admit it, a little discomfort usually makes you think of stretching, displacement, fatigue. We started to rub the wound with various creams, ointments, we tried to heal with popular methods, without understanding the cause and wasting precious time. So, if you feel pain in your leg, the first thing to do is to go to the doctor, taking a little time for yourself - this is the key to a long, full and happy life!

Stage 2

If the problem has not been diagnosed and cured immediately, then grade 2 arthrosis forms gradually, which is characterized by the following symptoms:

• more frequent pain that can appear even with inactivity;
• the pain is no longer limited to the area of ​​the bone connection, it radiates to the thigh, groin, back;
• movements become limited, the person is unable to move the leg completely to the side;
• lameness appears.

During the examination, the images show bone growth at the edges of the cavity, increase in the apex of the bone, its displacement and destruction of the edge.

Fortunately, with the help of complex therapy, 2nd degree arthrosis is still subject to conservative treatment.

Stage 3

Well, it is very bad for patients who have neglected their health so much that they have contracted stage III arthrosis, it is typical of this:

• uninterrupted pain, even without physical effort;
• the need to use crutches or canes;
• atrophy, that is, shortening of the muscles of the sick leg, change of posture.

During the exam, the doctor sees numerous bone growths, an increase in the size of the bone border, a decrease in the joint space. And there is only one way out here - this is an operation to replace an already unusable joint with a special artificial prosthesis.

Signs

We have already briefly mentioned the symptoms of the disease, it remains to summarize all these symptoms.

Coxarthrosis manifests itself:

• severe pain in the joint, which can later radiate to the leg, groin, knee;

• impaired movement, difficulty walking without support;
• shortening of the diseased limb;
• bad posture;
• decreased range of motion in the affected joint;
• X-ray shows muscle atrophy;
• MRI shows soft tissue problems, inflammation;
• CT shows the presence of bone growth.

The symptoms are clear, but not so simple. Therefore, with one of these signs, it is necessary to consult a specialist for the diagnosis, as it can be both arthrosis and other diseases with similar symptoms.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of the disease must be made by more than one doctor, as pain in the pelvis can cause several ills.

Like this:

• the therapist may encounter chronic illnesses that cause discomfort in the hip;
• the neurologist excludes or confirms the presence of intervertebral hernias, which sometimes cause the same symptoms that are characteristic of arthrosis;
• the urologist examines men for inflammation in the prostate. These diseases also usually cause pain in the pelvis, radiating to the legs;
• the gynecologist is looking for adhesions in the patient, they are also similar in the manifestation of this disease;
• a rheumatologist is a narrow specialist who deals with such problems, he will help to determine the stage of the disease, its causes and methods of treatment;
• A surgeon and orthopedist will be useful in an advanced stage, when the patient needs an operation.

Thus, to make a correct diagnosis, it will not be possible to limit yourself to a consultation with the doctor and, in addition, you will still need to pass the exams:

• clinical and biochemical analysis of urine and blood to check for inflammation in the body;
• MRI for soft tissue examination;
• CT to examine bones;
• X-rays will show bone damage;
• arthroscopy is indicated in some cases;
• sometimes an ultrasound of Organs pelvic organs is necessary.

The success of the treatment depends on the correct diagnosis, the degree of impairment and the cause of the deformity. For example, if osteoarthritis has caused tuberculosis of the bones, then usual therapy is prohibited and, in the case of metabolic disorders, it is necessary to first eliminate the root cause and then deal with its consequences.

Treatment of arthrosis of the hip joint

The most effective treatment is in the early stages, so you can limit yourself to several medications. How to treat inflammation - the doctor decides after a series of studies. Therapy depends a lot on the cause and the degree of destruction, but mainly they try to relieve pain, remove inflammation, improve blood circulation, for this they use:

• non-steroidal medications to relieve inflammation;
• painkillers to return the patient to normal life and make walking easier;
• muscle relaxants to restore blood circulation to the diseased area of ​​the body;
• chondroprotectors, which help prevent the deformation of cartilage tissue;
• steroid injections are used when the pain intensifies;
• medications for vasodilation.

In addition to pills, injections and ointments, treatment includes the use of a special diet and exercise therapy, a set of measures that helps to significantly improve the condition and restore leg mobility.

Surgery

If conservative treatment does not bring a visible result or the disease was diagnosed in the last stage, then there is only one way out - it is an operation. The procedure is complicated, in rare cases, rejection or danger of thromboembolism and other fatal complications are possible. At the same time, for critically ill patients, this is the only chance for a normal life, because with an artificial joint, a person after healing and rehabilitation will be able to move calmly.

As with any operation, a patient with coxarthrosis must prepare in advance for general anesthesia, cannot eat or drink before the procedure and the intestines are cleaned. Then, your legs are wrapped with elastic bandages to prevent swelling, placed on your side and immersed in sleep. Then, the doctor makes an incision in the thigh, opens the access to the joint, cuts the head of the femur bone, places a pin in the cut, to which the titanium head is attached.

Damaged pelvic bone tissue is also removed and replaced with a polymer pad to allow normal leg movement in the future. Then the wound is sutured, a dressing is applied over it. After healing, a recovery period follows, but in the absence of rejection, a person can walk for 20 years, or even a lifetime, walk calmly with an artificial joint, without feeling pain and stiffness.

Chondroprotectors

Due to the disease, the hip joint loses its mobility, changes in the tissues, destruction of the cartilage and formation of bone growth in its place are observed. Fortunately, effective drugs were invented to restore cartilage tissue, they are also called chondroprotectors, which in Latin means "cartilage protection".

So, what are these drugs capable of doing?

• interrupts the process of destruction of cartilage tissue;
• speeds up the metabolism in the joint;
• stimulates the production of synovial fluid, that is, natural lubrication, which is normally produced in the cartilaginous tissue and promotes easy sliding of the bone in the joint;
• relieves inflammation;
• facilitates joint movement.

The preparations can contain two main components - glucosamine and chondroitin.

As for the form of the medicine, it can be different, from pills, capsules, ointments, creams to injectable solutions. The choice of medication, dosage and duration of use must be prescribed by the attending physician, taking into account the characteristics of the organism. But, as a rule, injections are used during exacerbations, and then the patient is transferred to a milder treatment, which can last for months, at least six months. After all, restoring cartilaginous tissue is a time-consuming task, but it allows you to return to freedom of movement without surgery.

Injections

In some cases, treatment of the disease involves injections. Only a doctor should do this, resorting to such a solution only in extreme cases, as it is risky to treat the disease in this way. The fact is that the distance between the bones in the hip joint is small and, with coxarthrosis, it narrows even further. As a result, sometimes even an experienced doctor is unable to enter the joint capsule itself, and the risk of touching nerves and blood vessels is great.

At the same time, injections are sometimes the only way to relieve pain and inflammation; different drugs are used for these purposes:

• corticosteroids for pain relief, these injections can be administered at most once every two weeks and in a course of at most 7;
Chondroprotectors
• help to restore tissue, stimulate the production of synovial fluid for normal bone slippage and improve tissue elasticity. In injectable form, medications act faster than pills or ointments, allowing the medication to be delivered directly to its destination;
Hyaluronic acid
• is ​​the most recent method to relieve inflammation and pain. It is used after all other drugs have been tried and have not obtained the desired result, the effect of its use is long lasting, the injection is done once.

Physiotherapy

Unfortunately, in the fight against osteoarthritis of the hip joint, physiotherapeutic procedures are ineffective due to the deep lodging of the affected area. However, doctors sometimes prescribe kinesiotherapy to relieve pain.

Massage

If a medical massage is performed by a professional, it helps to improve blood circulation in the joint, restore mobility and stop tissue destruction. But its use is indicated exclusively during the remission period, in the absence of pain.

Furthermore, to get a clear effect, you do not need single visits to a specialist, but courses two or three times a year to maintain the condition of the bones and joints.

Treatment of coxarthrosis with folk remedies

Although it is very difficult to completely cure coxarthrosis in the hip joint using only folk remedies, especially in an advanced and severe form, even doctors recognize the effectiveness of natural medicines. Many formulations based on herbs, roots and essential oils significantly relieve the condition of a sick person, prevent the destruction of cartilage and the formation of bone and scar tissue, stimulate the production of synovial fluid, which is very important in combating the disease.

For the treatment to be more effective and give positive results, it is worth discussing with your doctor what alternative methods you can use at home.

Some of the most popular tools:

• perestroot ointment. To prepare it, the root must be crushed in a coffee grinder, mixed with 2: 3 melted pork fat, boiled over low heat for five minutes, cooled and lubricated with the wound composition at night for a month. Then rest for a week and continue the treatment;

• ointment with celandine - dry 7 plants, separate the leaves from the stems and grind, add 1 cup of olive oil, leave in the cold for 14 days, after which the medicine will be gelatinous, will melt in your hands. Lubricate the diseased area with a substance every night;
• birch leaves, linden flower, dried parsley, chop, boil instead of tea and drink it every day;
• wash the lemon, chop and add 1 liter. boiling water, strain after a few hours, add honey, drink three times a day;
• combine honey, iodine, ethyl alcohol and glycerin in the same amount, insist 3-4 hours, lubricate the skin over the joint with a cotton swab 3 times a day;
• take 60 grams of cinquefoil roots and elecampane, mix with 0. 5 liters. vodka, insist for a day in a dark and cool place, strain, drink 25-30 drops three times a day 30 minutes before meals, you can also use it to scrub.

Exercises for coxarthrosis of the hip joint

Specially selected exercises will help to significantly improve the condition with coxarthrosis, some will be suggested by the doctor. Before using them, it is necessary to consult your doctor, because with a complex selected incorrectly and in the presence of contraindications, you can cause even greater damage to your health.

For example, deforming arthrosis is dangerous to be treated with physical activity - it causes even greater pain and tissue destruction.

Gymnastics is also prohibited when:

• exacerbation of the disease;
• obvious pain on movement;
• increased body temperature;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases;
• menstruation;
• hernia;
• severe heart and lung disease.

It is believed that therapeutic exercises for coxarthrosis should aim to restore muscles and ligaments, but not to load an already weakened joint, therefore, not dynamic, but static movements are more appropriate. I am also happy that the set of exercises can be performed at any convenient time, without spending money and nervousness on trips to specialists, and given its effectiveness, it will simply be a crime not to use such a universal medication.

Here are some exercises:

• lying on your back, raise the affected leg 10-15 cm, freezing for 20-30 seconds, repeat for the other leg;
• performs the same movement, but quickly, holding the legs for only 1-2 seconds;
• to lift not a straight leg, but a leg bent at the knee at a right angle;
• lying on your stomach, pull your legs off the floor and hold for a few seconds, spread slowly to the sides, connect again, lower to the floor;
• lying on your side, bend your leg, lift your thigh and hold it at an angle of about 45 degrees, wait 30 seconds, return to the starting position, repeat for the other leg;
• perform the previous exercise, but at the same time rotate your foot alternately out and in.

It is true, it is not recommended to practice just describing the exercises and videos, it is better to discuss this point with a doctor or even consult a rehabilitation specialist several times, because in a different type of disease it is necessary to adjust the complex to avoid complications.

Nutrition

As osteoarthritis depends a lot on metabolism, it is important to follow proper nutrition when treating the disease. It must be frequent, but not abundant. Deleted:

• savory foods;
• fatty broths, mayonnaise, oils, dairy products (sour cream, cream);
• preservatives;
• bakery products made with premium flour;
• smoked.

They should be replaced by others more suitable for cartilage:

Milk
• and low-fat dairy products, in particular cheese, are very important in helping tissue regeneration and calcium absorption;
• lean fish and meat;
• beans, mushrooms, buckwheat, lentils rich in vegetable proteins;
• gelled meat, gelled fish, jellies, which contain collagen;
• cereal carbohydrates;
• vegetables, fruits;
• complex carbohydrates (dried fruits, honey).

Drinking lots of fluids is important to maintain the salt balance.

Proper nutrition helps to remove uric acid, which is dangerous to the joints, relieves inflammation, removes excess weight, edema and thus reduces the burden on the diseased area and even restores cartilage tissue. The greatest effect can be achieved in stage 1 of the disease.

Prevention

If there are cases of illness in the family or if arthrosis of the hip joint is already present and has been successfully treated, correct and regular prevention is important, consisting of the following points:

• adequate nutrition, which contains all vitamins and microelements for normal tissue metabolism;
• weight control to avoid additional loads;
• Moderation of physical activity, the ability to move in a way to avoid injury and overload in diseased joints;
• beware of hypothermia as it can get worse. It is important to wrap up, wrap the basin in the cold, avoid sitting on cold surfaces and stay in the wind;
• lead a healthy lifestyle, walk outdoors, gently strengthen your leg muscles.

Osteoarthritis is a very unpleasant disease, which, without proper treatment, with bone fusion ends in disability and life in a wheelchair. Therefore, in the first symptoms, go to the doctor for diagnosis and help. Timely and comprehensive treatment allows you to get rid of the problem and live without pain and limitations.