It is impossible to imagine an active and healthy lifestyle without movement. Joints are the most important elements of the musculoskeletal system, allowing a person to move freely and feel full. With age, dystrophic changes occur in bone and cartilage tissues, painful sensations appear, signaling the onset of the disease.
The hip joint can bear enormous loads throughout life, so it is not surprising that the most common pathology of AOD 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 treating 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 head of the femur, 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 in the context 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 bone (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 age 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
To react in time to the development of the pathology, it is important to note the characteristic symptoms that change as osteoarthritis progresses.
The first and most important symptom is pain in the leg, penetrating the groin, buttocks, sacrum, thigh and knee. The pain intensifies after physical exertion, with prolonged preservation of the standing and sitting position.
Important! At first, the pain may be mild 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 face symptoms of osteoarthritis of the hip joint such as:
- severe pain in the groin when walking or resting on the leg;
- painful and harsh crunching when moving the hip to the side and walking (not to be confused with clicking, which is inherent in most healthy people);
- joint stiffness, limited mobility of the legs;
- change in gait, limp, duck gait;
- shortening or lengthening of the limbs;
- muscle atrophy;
- fixation of the leg in one position (ankylosis).
An important diagnostic sign of coxarthrosis is physical limitations in leaning forward and abducting the hip to one side.
A patient with this diagnosis has difficulty tying his shoelaces on her own, sitting with his legs wide apart, and sitting deeply.
There are 3 degrees of osteoarthritis of the acetabulum and femoral head, characterized by gradual destruction of the joint. Let us consider its characteristics below.
Stage 1 of coxarthrosis is characterized by a slight destruction of the cartilage, the joint space is slightly narrowed.
In the second stage, the destruction of cartilage tissue increases markedly, the first signs of the disease begin to disturb: pain, stiffness.
The most serious damage to the hip joint occurs in 3 stages. It is characterized by deep cartilage destruction, bone deformation, pain at rest. The disease completely destroys the cartilage and deforms the femur.
The joint loses mobility, the leg is fixed and supports. In this case, conservative therapy is powerless; surgical treatment with joint replacement is required.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of the disease shows how severely the cartilage is affected and if osteoarthritis of the hip joint can be cured.
The success of therapy depends on when treatment was started.
Note. The last stage of coxarthrosis does not respond to conservative therapy and requires surgical intervention. Diagnosing and treating the disease at an early stage 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 removed.
Disease treatment
Coxarthrosis is a progressive disease. It is impossible to cure it once, like acute respiratory infections, and forget about the state of your joints.
Successful treatment of grade 1, 2, and 3 deforming osteoarthritis of the hip joint requires an integrated approach that combines therapeutic exercises, medication, physical therapy, and changes in the patient's lifestyle.
In extreme cases, the patient will have to resort to surgical treatment of the coxarthrosis. The method of therapy depends on the degree of the disease.
Medications
The first thing that is prescribed to a patient diagnosed with osteoarthritis is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers. They act directly on the site of inflammation and provide symptomatic treatment.
Note! It is important to follow the dose and duration of the course indicated by the doctor. Uncontrolled use of NSAIDs produces 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 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 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, improve the effect of drug therapy, and reduce the need for medication.
Important! Massage should only be performed by a qualified professional. Careless movements will cause 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.
The regular performance of recovery 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 intended for 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;
- 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;
- serious diseases of the cardiovascular and circulatory system.
If during exercise some movement causes acute pain, it is most likely that it does not suit you, so it is better not to do it and exclude it from the complex.
Diet
Diet therapy for osteoarthritis of the hip joints aims to reduce and maintain a normal weight.
Excess weight increases stress 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 must be whole and contain the necessary basic components of cells: proteins, carbohydrates, fats.
Plant foods should be preferred: nuts, seeds, leafy vegetables, seasonal vegetables and fruits, lean meats and fish, medium-fat dairy products, legumes and cereals.
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.
Bad habits (smoking, drug addiction, overeating) should also be eradicated from your lifestyle, as they wear down the body and expose it to premature aging.
How to get rid of pain with home remedies
Homeopathy for coxarthrosis of the hip joint is one of the alternative therapy methods. On the basis of natural components, homeopaths create drugs intended to treat pathologies of the internal organs and the human skeleton. The peculiarity of homeopathic preparations for osteoarthritis is that they are capable of restoring 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 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 conditions of the environment and the location of the disease.
Before using any medicine, you should consult a doctor!
Prevention
People predisposed to this pathology should avoid stress, injuries, treat infectious diseases early, 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 most often affects people over 45 years of age, athletes and children with congenital pathologies of the extremities. 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.
Healthcare is the key to joint longevity! Do not postpone a visit to the orthopedist at the first symptoms of the disease.