Osteoarthritis of the hip joint is a progressive degenerative-dystrophic disease, which is based on the functional and structural wear and tear of the hip joint.
At first, the articular cartilage retracts in the process, becomes thinner, fragmented. With the development of the pathological process, bone growths begin to form along the articular surfaces. Among diseases of the musculoskeletal system, arthrosis of the hip joint accounts for 39 to 48% of cases.
As a rule, the disease develops in people over 40 years old, with the same frequency in both women and men. The only gender difference is that coxarthrosis of the hip joint is more severe in women than in men.
Define primary and secondary arthrosis of the hip joint. If primary arthrosis of the hip is diagnosed, it is impossible to determine the cause of the process. In primary coxarthrosis, other joints can be simultaneously involved in the process - knee, back.
Secondary osteoarthritis of the hip joint occurs against the background of existing pathology of the hip joint: congenital dislocation, Perthes disease, inflammation in the joint, trauma. Classification of coxarthrosis depending on the cause of this disease.
What is coxarthrosis?
- involutive - occurs as a result of age-related changes
- dysplastic - against the background of congenital underdevelopment of the joint
- post-traumatic - after fractures of the neck, femoral head
- post-infectious - as a complication of purulent, allergic processes in the joints
- dyshormonal - as a result of long-term use of corticosteroids
- metabolic - develops as a result of metabolic disorders
- coxarthrosis of the hip joint - as a complication of Perthes disease
- idiopathic - the cause is not clear (primary).
Causes of osteoarthritis of the hip joint
- constant overload of the joint (professional athletes, people who walk a lot, overweight people are at risk)
- joint trauma (if you have previously had fractures of the neck or head of the hip joint, then arthrosis may develop over time)
- aggravated inheritance (if your relatives had problems with metabolism, weakness of bone tissue, then you are at risk). However, there is no clear hereditary link between patients suffering from coxarthrosis of the hip joint.
- Previously transferred arthritis - an inflammatory process in the joint (even treated) can cause coxarthrosis in the future
- hormonal and metabolic changes - against the background of damaged metabolism, arthrosis of the hip joint may appear.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the hip joint
The main symptoms of coxarthrosis are pain in the hip and groin, lameness, shortening of the affected leg and atrophy of the thigh muscles.
Depending on how severe the symptoms are and what the x-ray changes are, there are three degrees of coxarthrosis or stages of the disease:
- First degree: pain in the joint area appears only after an excessive effort and disappears at rest. Only small bone growths are determined on radiographs.
- Second degree: the pain becomes more intense, gives to the knee and hips. It can also happen at rest. There is a difference in gait. X-ray shows significant bone growth.
- Third degree: the pain becomes a constant companion, it can disturb even in a dream. The patient can only move with a cane. Radiologically, extensive bone growth, deformation of the femoral head, in the upper-external part, the joint space is almost not defined.
Treatment of arthrosis of the hip joint
Coxarthrosis is a disease that gradually leads to disability of the patient. This is why the treatment of arthrosis of the hip joint should be done under the watchful supervision of an experienced doctor. It is he who, taking into account the severity of the disease, will choose an adequate treatment regimen, will help you return to a normal lifestyle.
The first step in treatment is the "discharge" of the diseased joint: you need to reduce motor activity, choose an aid for movement (for example, a cane).
The next step is drug therapy: pain relievers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, chondroprotectors.
If the disease has gone far, then arthroplasty is needed - replacement of the hip joint. Thanks to such operations, patients who have lost hope of moving independently are again able to live calmly and independently.
The outcome of the disease depends mainly on the patient himself: whether he will strictly adhere to the doctor's recommendations, whether he will agree to the operation. Unfortunately, coxarthrosis of the hip joint is an invariably progressive process. And a successful victory in the fight against this disease is only the result of the persistent work of the patient.
Prevention of arthrosis of the hip joint (coxarthrosis)
Any disease is easier to prevent than to treat. How to prevent osteoarthritis of the hip joint? Specific prevention of coxarthrosis has not been developed. However, there is no need to give up and let everything take its course. There are some general principles, the observance of which will help prevent coxarthrosis:
The first rule: stricter weight control. Overweight people are not the only ones at risk of developing hypertension.
Similarly, extra pounds create an increased load on the hip joint. Therefore, the slogan "down the extra pounds" is not superfluous in the prevention of coxarthrosis.
The second rule: adequate physical activity. It happens that the symptoms of arthrosis of the hip joint often appear in professional athletes involved in running and jumping.
Excessive loads on the hip joint tire it, with age, professional athletes can develop coxarthrosis. This is why you should not abuse walking. Any physical activity must be dosed.
The third rule: if you have metabolic disorders, you should try to compensate for them. It happens that metabolic disorders can cause many associated diseases, including coxarthrosis.
That is why any metabolic disorder needs competent treatment. Regulate your metabolism - significantly reduce the risk of coxarthrosis.
Please note that prevention of coxarthrosis is impossible without an adequate choice of profession. If you have a history of congenital underdevelopment of the hip joint, fractures of the neck, femoral head, purulent disease in the hip joint, then you are at risk.
You should not tempt fate. Professions related to increased physical activity are taboo for you. But "sedentary" specialties suit you better.
Regular swimming is the best prevention of coxarthrosis. After all, it is during your stay in the water that the joints are discharged, their kind of rest.
The primary prevention of coxarthrosis is timely detection, treatment and monitoring of patients with congenital defects of the hip joint.
Secondary prevention of coxarthrosis consists in timely diagnosis of the initial stage of coxarthrosis, treatment of primary manifestations, as well as slowing down further progression of the disease. Timely detection and early treatment of coxarthrosis of the hip joint can positively affect the further prognosis of the disease.