It is impossible to imagine an active and healthy lifestyle without movement. The joints are the most important parts of the musculoskeletal system, which allow a person to move freely and feel full. With age, dystrophic changes occur in bone and cartilage tissue, pain appears, which signals 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 PDA is osteoarthritis-arthritis of the hip joint. hip. From this article, you will learn what it is, as well as the causes, consequences, and treatment methods for hip osteoarthritis.
Characteristics and causes of occurrence
Coxarthrosis is a chronic inflammatory process in the hip joint in which cartilage tissue undergoes premature destruction.
The development of the disease causes 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.
Note that coxarthrosis is the same as osteoarthritis and deforming osteoarthritis of the pelvic joint.
The disease can arise as a primary pathology or develop against 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 arthritis 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. Most often, the disease is diagnosed in middle-aged and elderly people, however, if there are several provoking factors at the same time, young people and even children are susceptible to getting coxarthrosis.
Symptoms
In order to react in time to the development of the pathology, it is important to notice the characteristic symptoms that change as the osteoarthritis progresses.
The first and most important symptom is pain in the leg, which penetrates the groin, gluteal muscles, sacrum, thigh and knee. The pain increases after physical exertion, with prolonged maintenance of a standing and sitting position.
Important! At first, the pain may be minor and not appear at all in the pelvis, but, for example, in the knee. This fact complicates early diagnosis and correct diagnosis.
If the disease is not diagnosed in time, the patient will experience symptoms of osteoarthritis of the hip joint such as:
- severe pain in the groin when walking or resting on the leg;
- painful and rough crunch when moving the hip to the side and walking (not to be confused with the click, which is inherent in most healthy people);
- joint stiffness, limitation of leg mobility;
- change of gait, lameness, duck gait;
- shortening or lengthening of the limbs;
- muscle atrophy;
- fixing the leg in one position (ankylosis).
An important diagnostic sign of coxarthrosis is the physical limitations when bending forward, removing the hip to the side.
A patient with this diagnosis has difficulty tying shoelaces on his own, sitting with his legs apart, and sitting deeply.
There are 3 degrees of osteoarthritis of the acetabulum and the femoral head, characterized by progressive destruction of the joint. Consider their features below.
Stage 1 of coxarthrosis is characterized by a slight destruction of the cartilage, the joint space is slightly narrowed.
In the second stage, the destruction of cartilage tissue increases noticeably, the first signs of the disease begin to disturb: pain, stiffness.
More serious damage to the hip joint occurs in 3 stages. It is characterized by deep destruction of cartilage, bone deformation, pain when resting. The disease completely destroys the cartilage and deforms the femur.
The joint loses its mobility, the leg is fixed and serves as a support. In this case, conservative therapy is powerless; surgical treatment with joint replacement is necessary.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of the disease shows how much the cartilage is affected and whether osteoarthritis of the hip joint can be cured.
The success of treatment depends on when treatment is started.
Note. The last stage of coxarthrosis does not respond to conservative treatment and requires surgery. Diagnosing and treating the disease early in 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 the length of the legs are assessed. To confirm primary hip osteoarthritis, an X-ray, CT scan and MRI are prescribed. If the patient requires surgical treatment, urine, stool, blood, and joint fluid are taken in addition.
Treatment of diseases
Coxarthrosis is a progressive disease. It is impossible to cure it once, like acute respiratory infections, and forget the condition of your joints.
Successful treatment of grade 1, 2 and 3 deforming osteoarthritis of the hip joint requires an integrated approach combining therapeutic exercise, medication, physiotherapy and changes in the patient's lifestyle.
In extreme cases, the patient will have to resort to surgical treatment of coxarthrosis. The method of treatment depends on the degree of the disease.
Drugs
The first thing a patient with osteoarthritis prescribes is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers. They work directly at the site of inflammation and provide symptomatic treatment.
Note! It is important to observe the dosage and duration of the course indicated by the doctor. Uncontrolled use of NSAIDs causes side effects.
For the treatment of coxarthrosis, vasodilators are also prescribed. They are necessary to increase blood flow to the diseased joint, to strengthen the nutrition of the 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 massaging movements, blood circulation and lymphatic drainage are improved, muscles are strengthened, ligaments and tendons become more elastic. This approach to treatment reduces pain, improves the effect of drug therapy, and reduces the need for drugs.
Important! Massage should only be performed by a qualified professional. Careless movements will lead to even more pain and injury to the joint.
Physiotherapy exercises
Movement is the basis of life. Gymnastics for osteoarthritis of the hip bones is aimed at restoring the nutrition of cartilage and mobility of the joints, strengthening the muscle corset.
Regular practice of remedial gymnastics leads to less discomfort in the legs when walking.
Gymnastics allow you to treat your hip pain at home.
All movements are aimed at the treatment and prevention of stages 1 and 2 of osteoarthritis of the hip joints.
Before starting the exercise, make sure that there are no contraindications to the exercises:
- hypertension;
- critical days;
- infectious diseases;
- increased body temperature;
- the recovery period after surgery on the abdominal and thoracic organs;
- inguinal and umbilical hernia;
- herniated intervertebral discs;
- acute inflammatory processes of internal organs or exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- serious diseases of the cardiovascular and circulatory system.
If during the exercise some movements cause sharp pain, most likely it is not for you, so it is better not to do it and exclude it from the complex.
Diet
Diet for osteoarthritis of the hip joints aims to reduce and maintain 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. Foods must be whole and contain the basic elements necessary for the cells: proteins, carbohydrates, fats.
Plant foods should be preferred: nuts, seeds, leafy vegetables, seasonal vegetables and fruits, lean meats and fish, medium-fat fermented dairy products, legumes and grains.
Cow's milk is best consumed in moderation.
Fatty, spicy, smoked, canned, fried, pickled dishes, semi-finished products, alcohol, coffee should be excluded from the diet.
Bad habits (smoking, drug addiction, overeating) will also need 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 alternative therapy methods. On the basis of natural components, homeopaths create medicines intended to treat pathologies of internal organs and the human skeleton. The peculiarity of homeopathic preparations for osteoarthritis is that they are able to restore the balance between the destruction of cartilage by enzymes and the renewal of its tissues.
Warning! Before treating the hip joint at home, you need to be diagnosed with the disease. It is important not to allow the pathology to worsen, as it can cost a person the ability to walk.
Homeopathic remedies, injections and ointments for the treatment of joints are selected according to the physical conditions of the environment and the location of the disease.
Before using any medicine, you must consult a doctor!
Prevention
People predisposed to this pathology should avoid stress, injury, treat infectious diseases in time, exercise regularly, eat well and get enough sleep.
If you experience discomfort in your legs, it is recommended that you contact an orthopedist immediately for diagnosis and treatment.
Conclusion
Osteoarthritis of the hip joints most often affects people over 45, athletes and children with congenital pathologies of the limbs. 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, medication, correction of the patient's lifestyle and weight, and manual therapy.
Attention to health is the key to longevity of the joints! Do not delay the visit to the orthopedic surgeon at the first symptoms of the disease.