It is impossible to imagine an active and healthy lifestyle without movement. The joints are the most important elements of the musculoskeletal system, which allow a person to move freely and feel full. With age, dystrophic changes occur in bones and cartilage tissues, painful sensations appear, signaling 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 APS is osteoarthritis-arthritis 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 of occurrence
Coxarthrosis is a chronic inflammatory process of 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 femoral head, 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 against the background of existing diseases.
Let's consider the main causes of coxarthrosis:
- during active or excessive physical exertion (trauma, microtrauma, overload);
- congenital anomalies (dysplasia, Perthes disease, primary deformity of the joint);
- 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. Most often, the disease is diagnosed in people of middle and old age, however, if there are several provoking factors at the same time, young people and even children are susceptible to coxarthrosis.
Symptoms
To respond to the development of the disease over time, it is important to note the characteristic symptoms that change as 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 the 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 have to deal with the symptoms of hip joint 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 (not to be confused with clicking, 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;
- fixation of the legs in one position (ankylosis).
An important diagnostic sign of coxarthrosis is physical limitations when bending forward, abducting the hip to the side.
A patient with this diagnosis finds it difficult to tie shoelaces alone, sit with legs apart, and sit deeply.
There are 3 degrees of osteoarthritis of the acetabulum and the femoral head, which are characterized by a gradual destruction of the joint. Let's consider their features below.
Stage 1 of coxarthrosis is characterized by a slight destruction of the cartilage, the joint space is slightly narrowed.
In stage 2, the destruction of cartilage tissue increases markedly, the first signs of the disease begin to bother: pain, stiffness.
More severe damage to the hip joint occurs in 3 stages. It is characterized by a deep destruction of cartilage, deformation of the bones, pain at rest. The disease completely destroys the cartilage and deforms the femur.
The joint loses its mobility, the leg is fixed and acts as a support. In this case, conservative therapy is powerless; joint replacement surgery is required.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of the disease shows how severely the cartilage is affected and whether osteoarthritis of the hip joint can be treated.
Success of therapy depends on when treatment was started.
Note. The last stage of coxarthrosis does not respond to conservative therapy and requires surgery. Diagnosis and treatment of the disease in the early stage 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 evaluated. To confirm primary coxarthrosis, X-rays, CT and MRI are prescribed. If the patient requires surgical treatment, urine, feces, blood, and joint fluid are also collected.
Treatment of the 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.
The effective treatment of Grade 1, 2 and 3 deforming osteoarthritis of the hip joint requires an integrated approach that combines therapeutic exercises, medications, 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 therapy depends on the degree of the disease.
Drugs
The first thing that is prescribed to a patient diagnosed with osteoarthritis are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics. They act directly on 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 leads to side effects.
Vasodilators are also prescribed for the treatment of coxarthrosis. They are needed to increase blood flow to 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 a passive exercise for the affected joints. Thanks to the 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 pain and injury to the joints.
Physiotherapy exercises
Movement is the basis of life. Gymnastics for osteoarthritis of the hip bones is aimed at restoring cartilage nutrition and joint mobility, strengthening the muscular corset.
Regular performance of corrective gymnastics leads to a decrease in 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 stages 1 and 2 of osteoarthritis of the hip joints.
Before starting the exercises, make sure there are no contraindications to the exercises:
- hypertension;
- critical days;
- infectious diseases;
- increase in 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;
- severe diseases of the cardiovascular and circulatory systems.
If during the exercise any movement causes a sharp pain, most likely, it does not suit you, so it is better not to and exclude it from the complex.
Diet
Diet therapy for osteoarthritis of the hip joints is aimed at reducing and maintaining a normal weight.
Excess weight 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.
Plant foods should be preferred: nuts, seeds, leafy greens, seasonal vegetables and fruits, lean meats and fish, medium-fat fermented milk products, legumes and grains.
Cow's milk is best consumed in moderation.
Fatty, spicy, smoked, canned, fried, pickled, semi-finished products, alcohol, coffee should be excluded from the diet.
Even bad habits (smoking, drug addiction, overeating) will have to be eliminated from your lifestyle, as they wear down 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 drugs aimed at treating 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.
Attention! Before treating the hip joint at home, it is necessary to undergo a diagnosis of the disease. It is important not to allow the condition to get worse, as this can cost a person the ability to walk.
Homeopathic remedies, injections and ointments for the treatment of joints are selected based on the physical condition of the environment and the location of the disease.
Before using any medicine, you need to consult a doctor!
Prevention
People with a predisposition to this condition should avoid stress, injuries, 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 is most often affected by 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. Effective treatment of coxarthrosis requires the inclusion of therapeutic exercises, medications, correction of the patient's lifestyle and weight, and manual therapy.
Attention to health is the key to longevity of the joints! Do not postpone a visit to the orthopedist until the first symptoms of the disease.