Coxarthrosis of the hip joint is a complex process of a degenerative-dystrophic nature.The disease has a rather broad clinical picture and is mainly characteristic of people over 40 years of age, but it can also be diagnosed at a younger age, especially in children and adolescents.
The precursor to the development of coxarthrosis of the hip joint is often various types of trauma and inflammation, the treatment of which is missing or unsatisfactory.
There are several stages of development of degenerative-dystrophic processes, each of which requires a specific direction of complex therapeutic treatment methods.
What is coxarthrosis of the hip joint?
Coxarthrosis of the hip joint or osteoarthrosis/deforming arthrosis is a complex pathological disease of the largest joint of the human body, accompanied by progressive destruction of the osteochondral tissue.The development process is gradual.
Late diagnosis and lack of proper treatment cause deformation of adjacent bone surfaces and the appearance of bone growths on them, which limits mobility and disrupts normal human life.
Statistics show that this type of disease occurs in 12% of diagnoses of pathology of the musculoskeletal system.
Causes of coxarthrosis
Today, two types of coxarthrosis of the hip joint are distinguished:
- primary, the occurrence of which is unexplained;
- secondary, developing against the background of other existing diseases.
During primary coxarthrosis, simultaneous pathologies of the musculoskeletal system are often observed, which include osteochondrosis of various parts of the spine.
The most likely causes include:
- pathologies of the development of the locomotor system (dysplasia);
- aseptic necrosis of joint tissues;
- infectious lesion;
- inflammatory and infectious diseases;
- injuries.
Risk factors
Among the factors that increase the risk of coxarthrosis of the hip joint, it is customary to highlight:
- systematically increased loads;
- poor circulation in joint tissues;
- hormonal changes;
- metabolic disorders;
- natural aging;
- insufficiently active lifestyle.
It is worth paying attention to the fact that coxarthrosis itself is not hereditary;accordingly, people with this diagnosis do not have a genetic predisposition to it;however, the manifestation of a hereditary factor can be observed as other features of the body's functioning that provoke the development of pathology.Characteristics of this type include metabolic disorders, a special structure of the musculoskeletal system, and weakness of joint tissues.
Degrees of coxarthrosis
Degenerative-dystrophic disease, like any other pathology, has a degree of development.Coxarthrosis has only three, each of which is characterized by the presence of certain changes.
Coxarthrosis 1st degree
in the case of high-degree coxarthrosis, a relatively moderate reduction of the joint space is observed, which is accompanied by an increase in bone tissue over the entire surface of the joint.
There are no pathological changes on the surfaces of the femur.
Coxarthrosis grade 2
In the case of grade 2 coxarthrosis, the gap between the articular bones narrows significantly, which is more than 50% less than the generally accepted indicator.Pathological processes cause displacement of the femur, which is accompanied by deformation of the head, which increases significantly and covers the contour with many irregularities.
At this stage of development, bone growth appears on all surfaces of the acetabulum, not limited to the cartilage.
Coxarthrosis grade 3
Grade 3 coxarthrosis is characterized by a sharp difference in functional indicators and a strong reduction in the gap between the articular bones.In addition, there is a pronounced expansion of the head of the femur, as well as several bony growths.
Symptoms of coxarthrosis
The most important, permanent symptom of the disease is pain of varying severity.The detailed symptom picture is determined by the intensity of the development of pathological processes.
Grade 1 coxarthrosis has symptoms such as:
- systematically occurring pain caused by physical activity of varying intensity;
- localization of unpleasant and painful sensations in the hip/knee area.
Grade 2 coxarthrosis is expressed by the following symptoms:
- pain of moderate intensity, which often manifests itself at rest;
- the spread of pain to the hip, groin area;
- occurrence of lameness after performing various types of exercises;
- reduction of the available range of motion (restriction of the ability to push the limb to the side).
In the case of 3rd degree coxarthrosis, the following symptoms can be observed:
- constant, unbearable pain at any time of the day;
- the need to use a cane to move;
- limitation of motor function, reduction of muscle volume and shortening of the length of the lower limb;
- torso tilt.
Diagnosis of the disease
The initial diagnosis is made based on the patient's complaints, the results of the visual examination and the collected medical history.
Diagnostic procedures for identifying a disease, such as coxarthrosis, are aimed at identifying clinical symptoms and studying data from further examinations, the most important of which is radiography.
X-ray imaging of coxarthrosis makes it possible to establish the neglect of pathological processes and determine the cause of their occurrence.In particular, based on the results of the X-ray examination, the attending physician can determine the injuries suffered.
Among other instrumental diagnostic methods, the following are used:
- CT (computed tomography) - allows you to create a detailed picture of the pathology;
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) - allows assessment of the degree of soft tissue damage.
It is also worth noting the existence of differential diagnosis, which includes the exclusion of pathological processes such as gonarthrosis and osteochondrosis of the spinal column.
Laboratory tests are also an integral part of complex diagnostics, which includes:
- general blood and urine tests to determine the patient's health status;
- biochemical blood test to determine pathological conditions.
Treatment of coxarthrosis of the hip joint
The orthopedic surgeon diagnoses and determines the treatment plan.Treatment tactics are developed based on data such as:
- degree of expression;
- the form of the disease;
- the reason for the development;
- presence of symptoms.
Today, there are several effective directions in the treatment of coxarthrosis.Let's look at each of them in more detail.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy treatment of the patient includes the appointment of such procedures as, for example:
- magnet therapy;
- laser therapy;
- UHF therapy;
- UV irradiation;
- shock wave therapy.
All applied physiotherapy techniques help improve blood circulation, start metabolic processes, and of course speed up tissue regeneration.
Drug treatment of coxarthrosis
Medical treatment of coxarthrosis of the hip joint includes the use of the following tools:
- muscle relaxants;
- NSAIDs;
- vasodilators;
- pain relievers;
- corticosteroids;
- chondroprotectors.
A particularly important group of drugs in the treatment of pathology are chondroprotectors, which promote tissue recovery.
Therapeutic exercise (physiotherapy)
Therapeutic physical education classes are one of the most effective methods of complex treatment.
Based on the diagnostic results and the patient's level of physical fitness, a series of exercises is drawn up by a specialist.
Massage
Therapeutic treatment of coxarthrosis includes various types of massages:
- classic;
- point;
- vacuum.
In the absence of contraindications, the patient's blood circulation in the joint area improves after just a few sessions, and the nutrient supply required by his tissues is replenished.
Participating in a massage helps to strengthen and restore the soft tissues of the joint.
Surgical intervention in case of coxarthrosis
The ineffectiveness of conservative treatment forces a person to resort to radical methods in the treatment of pathology.
The steady progression of pathological processes is a direct indication of surgical intervention.Two types of surgery are performed today:
- arthroplasty - removal of the femoral head from the acetabulum, with subsequent correction of changes in the joint tissue;
- endoprosthesis - implantation of an implant.
The operation is performed when the patient's pathological condition is grade 3, which means that it is impossible to eliminate the destructive changes in the joint tissues.
Prognosis and possible complications
Only stage 1 degenerative-dystrophic disease is suitable for successful conservative treatment.In other cases, it is not possible to talk about the complete restoration of the functional activity of the hip joint, except in cases of endoprosthesis installation.
In the absence of treatment, in the final stage of the development of pathological processes, the patient develops limited mobility of the flexion-type joint, which makes movement impossible due to the constantly bent limb.
After complete fusion, the patient is unable to independently solve basic everyday problems and receives the status of a disabled person.
Preventive measures
Preventive measures can be used to prevent the occurrence of pathological processes, as well as during remission, preventing the progression of the disease.
Prevention of coxarthrosis includes:
- maintaining a balanced diet;
- systematic sports;
- maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which includes giving up bad habits;
- weight control;
- systematic preventive examination and timely treatment of various diseases.
Remember that your health is only in your hands.Keep him in optimal condition and enjoy life to the fullest!