Osteoarthritis of the hip joint is a progressive degenerative-dystrophic disease, which is based on functional and structural wear of the hip joint.
At first, the articular cartilage is sucked in the process, it becomes thinner, fragmented. As the disease process develops, bony growths begin to form along the joint surfaces. Among diseases of the musculoskeletal system, osteoarthritis of the hip represents 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 coxarthrosis of the hip joint is more severe in women than in men.
Assign 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, spine.
Secondary arthrosis of the hip joint occurs against the background of the existing pathology of the hip joint: congenital dislocation, Perthes disease, inflammation of the joint, trauma. Classification of coxarthrosis depending on the cause of this disease.
What is coxarthrosis
- involuntary - 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 and allergic processes in the joint
- disharmonious - 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 unclear (primary).
Causes of hip osteoarthritis
- constant overloading of the joint (professional athletes, people who walk a lot, overweight people are at risk)
- joint trauma (if you have had fractures in the neck or head of the hip joint in the past, osteoarthritis may develop over time)
- burdened heredity (if your relatives had problems with metabolism, weak bone tissue, then you are at risk). However, there is no clear hereditary relationship between patients with coxarthrosis of the hip joint.
- previously transferred arthritis - an inflammatory process in the joint (even 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 X-ray changes, there are three degrees of coxarthrosis or stages of the disease:
- First degree: pain in the joint only occurs after excessive exertion and disappears at rest. Only small bony growths are determined on the x-ray.
- Second degree: the pain becomes more intense, gives to the knee and groin. Can occur even at rest. There is a change of approach. X-ray shows large bony growths.
- Third degree: pain becomes a constant companion, can disturb even in a dream. The patient can only move with a cane. Radiologically, extensive bone growths, deformation of the femoral head are determined; in the upper-external part, the joint space is almost not determined.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip joint
Coxarthrosis is a disease that gradually leads to disability of the patient. That is why the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip joint should take place under the vigilant supervision of an experienced doctor. It is he who, given the severity of the disease, will select an adequate treatment regimen, help you return to a normal way of life.
The first stage of treatment is to "unload" the diseased joint: you need to reduce motor activity, choose an auxiliary means of movement (for example, a cane).
The next step is drug therapy: analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, chondroprotectors.
If the disease has gone far, arthroplasty is required - replacement of the hip joint. Thanks to such operations, patients who have lost hope of being able to move independently can once again live comfortably and independently.
The outcome of the disease largely depends 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 patient's persistent work.
Prevention of osteoarthritis 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 several general principles, compliance with which will help prevent coxarthrosis:
First rule: strict weight control. Overweight people are not only 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.
Second rule: 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 it out, with age, professional athletes can develop coxarthrosis. This is why walking should not be abused. All physical activity must be measured.
Third rule: if you have metabolic disorders, you must try to compensate for them. It turns out that metabolic disorders can trigger many concomitant diseases, including coxarthrosis.
That is why any metabolic disorder requires competent treatment. Adjust your metabolism - significantly reduce the risk of coxarthrosis.
Please note that the 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, head of the femur, purulent disease of the hip joint, then you are at risk.
You should not tempt fate. Professions associated with increased physical activity are taboo for you. But "sedentary" specialties suit you best.
Regular swimming is the best prevention of coxarthrosis. After all, it is during your stay in the water that the joints are unloaded, their kind of rest.
Primary prevention of coxarthrosis is the timely detection, treatment and monitoring of patients with congenital anomalies of the hip joint.
Secondary prevention of coxarthrosis consists in timely diagnosis of the initial degree of coxarthrosis, treatment of primary manifestations and slowing the progression of the disease. Timely detection and early treatment of coxarthrosis of the hip joint can positively affect the subsequent prognosis of the disease.