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 occur in bone and cartilaginous tissues, painful sensations appear, which 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 arthrosis-arthritis of the hip joint. From this article you will learn what it is, as well as the causes, consequences and methods of treating coxarthrosis.
Characteristics and causes of occurrence
Coxarthrosis is a chronic inflammatory process of the hip joint, in which the cartilage tissue undergoes premature destruction.
The development of the disease provokes the growth of osteophytes and fusion of the acetabulum and the head of the femur, which narrows the joint space, the joint loses its functionality.
Let us clarify that coxarthrosis is the same as arthrosis 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);
- pelvic bone inflammation (ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis);
- severe stress (spasm of blood vessels and muscles, aseptic necrosis, hypothermia);
- hormonal disorders;
- ischemic heart disease;
- endocrine system diseases (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, in the presence of several provoking factors at the same time, young people and even children are susceptible to coxarthrosis.
Symptoms
In order to respond to the development of pathology in time, 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, which penetrates the groin, gluteal muscles, sacrum, thigh and knee. The pain increases after physical exertion, with prolonged preservation of a standing and sitting position.
Important! At first, the pain may be minor and appear not 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 on time, the patient will face such symptoms of arthrosis of the hip joint 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 the click, which is inherent in most healthy people);
- joint stiffness, limitation of leg mobility;
- change in gait, lameness, duck gait;
- limb shortening or lengthening;
- muscle atrophy;
- leg fixation 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 on his own, sit with legs wide apart, and sit deeply.
There are 3 degrees of osteoarthritis of the acetabulum and femoral head, which are characterized by gradual destruction of the joint. Let's consider their features below.
Stage 1 of coxarthrosis is characterized by a slight destruction of cartilage, the joint space is narrowed slightly.
By the second stage, the destruction of the cartilaginous tissue noticeably increases, 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 at rest. 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 required.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of the disease shows how badly the cartilage is affected and whether arthrosis of the hip joint can be cured.
The success of therapy depends on when the treatment was started.
Note. The last stage of coxarthrosis does not respond to conservative therapy and requires surgical intervention. Diagnosing and treating the disease early on in the disease increases the chances of recovery.
To make a diagnosis, an external examination is carried out, the degree of mobility of the hip joint, changes in gait and leg length are assessed. To confirm primary coxarthrosis, X-ray, CT and MRI are prescribed. If the patient requires surgical treatment, urine, feces, blood, and joint fluid are taken additionally.
Disease Treatment
Coxarthrosis is a progressive disease. It is impossible to cure it once, like acute respiratory infections, and forget about the condition of your joints.
Successful treatment of grade 1, 2 and 3 deforming arthrosis of the hip joint requires an integrated approach that combines therapeutic exercises, medication, physiotherapy, and changes in the patient's lifestyle.
In extreme cases, the patient will need to resort to surgical treatment of coxarthrosis. The method of therapy depends on the degree of the disease.
Medicines
The first thing that a patient diagnosed with osteoarthritis is prescribed is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers. 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.
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 massage movements, blood circulation and lymphatic drainage are improved, muscles are strengthened, ligaments and tendons become more elastic. This approach to treatment helps to 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 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 cartilage nutrition and joint mobility, strengthening the muscle corset.
Regular performance of remedial gymnastics leads to a decrease in discomfort in the legs when walking.
Gymnastics allows 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 chest 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 system.
If during exercise some movement causes sharp pain, most likely, it does not suit you, so it is better not to do it and exclude it from the complex.
Diet
Diet therapy for arthrosis 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 food 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 vegetables, seasonal vegetables and fruits, lean meats and fish, medium-fat fermented milk products, legumes and cereals.
Cow's milk is best consumed in moderation.
Fatty, spicy, smoked, canned, fried, pickled dishes, semi-finished products, alcohol, 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. On the basis of natural components, homeopaths create drugs aimed at treating pathologies of internal organs and the human skeleton. The peculiarity of homeopathic preparations for arthrosis 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, you need to undergo a diagnosis of the disease. It is important not to allow the pathology to worsen, 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 conditions of the environment and the location of the disease.
Before using any medicine, you must consult a doctor!
Prevention
People with a predisposition to this pathology should avoid stress, injuries, treat infectious diseases on time, exercise regularly, eat well and get enough sleep.
If you experience discomfort in your legs, it is recommended to immediately contact an orthopedist for diagnosis and treatment.
Conclusion
Osteoarthritis of the hip joints most often affects people over 45 years old, 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, medication, correction of the patient's lifestyle and weight, and manual therapy.
Attention to health is the key to joint longevity! Do not postpone a visit to the orthopedist at the first symptoms of the disease.