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 is attracted to the process, it becomes thinner, fragmented. As the pathological process develops, bony outgrowths begin to form along the joint surfaces. Among diseases of the musculoskeletal system, osteoarthritis of the hip joint accounts for 39 to 48% of cases.
As a rule, the disease develops in people over 40 years of age, with the same frequency in women and men. The only gender difference is that hip joint coxarthrosis is more severe in women than in men.
Allocate primary and secondary arthrosis of the hip joint. If primary osteoarthritis of the hip is diagnosed, it is impossible to determine the cause of the process. In primary coxarthrosis, other joints may be simultaneously involved in the process - knee, spine.
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 - in the context of congenital underdevelopment of the joint
- post-traumatic - after fractures of the neck, head of the femur
- post-infectious - as a complication of purulent and allergic processes in the joint
- deshormonal - as a consequence of prolonged use of corticosteroids
- metabolic - develops as a result of metabolic disorders
- hip joint coxarthrosis - as a complication of Perthes disease
- idiopathic - the cause is unclear (primary).
Causes of osteoarthritis of the hip joint
- constant joint overload (professional athletes, people who walk a lot, people who are overweight are at risk)
- joint trauma (if you've ever had neck or head fractures of the hip joint, osteoarthritis can develop over time)
- burdened heredity (if your relatives had problems with metabolism, weakness of bone tissue, then you are at risk). However, there is no clear hereditary relationship between patients suffering from coxarthrosis of the hip joint.
- previously transferred arthritis - an inflammatory process in the joint (even if treated) can trigger coxarthrosis in the future
- hormonal and metabolic changes - against the background of impaired metabolism, arthrosis of the hip joint may appear.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis of the Hip Joint
The main symptoms of coxarthrosis are thigh and groin pain, lameness, shortening of the affected leg and atrophy of the thigh muscles.
Depending on the severity of symptoms and radiographic changes, there are three degrees of coxarthrosis, or stages of the disease:
- First degree: Pain in the joint area occurs only after overexertion and disappears at rest. Only small bony growths are determined on radiography.
- Second degree: the pain becomes more intense, occurs in the knee and groin. It can even occur at rest. There is a shift in gear. The radiograph shows significant bone growths.
- Third degree: pain becomes a constant companion, it can disturb even in a dream. The patient can move with only a cane. Radiologically, extensive bone growths, femoral head deformity are determined; in the superior-outer part, the joint space is almost not determined.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip joint
Coxarthrosis is a disease that gradually leads to the patient's disability. That is why the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip joint must take place under the watchful supervision of an experienced physician. It is he who, taking into account the severity of the disease, will select a suitable treatment regimen, help you to return to a normal lifestyle again.
The first step in treatment is to "unload" the diseased joint: you need to reduce motor activity, choose an aid for movement (for example, a cane).
The next step is drug therapy: analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, chondroprotectors.
If the disease has gone far, then arthroplasty - replacement of the hip joint is needed. Thanks to these operations, patients who have lost hope of being able to move independently can again live comfortably and independently.
The outcome of the disease largely depends on the patient himself: whether he will strictly follow the doctor's recommendations, whether he will agree to the operation. Unfortunately, hip joint coxarthrosis is an invariably progressive process. And a successful victory in the fight against this disease is only the result of the patient's persistent work.
Prevention of osteoarthritis of the hip joint (coxarthrosis)
Any disease is easier to prevent than to treat. How to prevent hip joint osteoarthritis? Specific prevention of coxarthrosis has not been developed. However, there is no need to give up and let everything take its course. There are several general principles, observance of which will help prevent coxarthrosis:
Rule one: strict control over weight. Overweight people are not just at risk of developing hypertension.
Likewise, extra pounds create an increased load on the hip joint. Therefore, the slogan "down with extra pounds" is not superfluous in the prevention of coxarthrosis.
Rule two: adequate physical activity. It turns out that the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the hip joint often appear in professional athletes involved in running and jumping.
Excessive loads on the hip joint wear out, with age, professional athletes can develop coxarthrosis. That's why you shouldn't abuse the walk. Any physical activity must be dosed.
Rule three: if you have metabolic disorders, you should try to compensate for them. It turns out that metabolic disorders can trigger many concomitant diseases, including coxarthrosis.
That's why any metabolic disorder needs competent treatment. Adjust your metabolism - significantly reduce the risk of coxarthrosis.
Note that the prevention of coxarthrosis is impossible without a proper choice of profession. If you have a history of congenital underdevelopment of the hip joint, neck fractures, femoral head, purulent hip joint disease, you are at risk.
You must not tempt fate. Professions associated with 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 your joints are unloaded, your kind of rest.
The primary prevention of coxarthrosis is the timely detection, treatment and monitoring of patients with congenital defects of the hip joint.
Secondary prevention of coxarthrosis consists of timely diagnosis of the initial stage of coxarthrosis, treatment of primary manifestations and also slowing down the progression of the disease. Timely detection and early treatment of hip joint coxarthrosis can positively affect the prognosis of the disease.