coxarthrosis of hip joint

One of the most serious conditions of the musculoskeletal system is coxarthrosis of the hip joint. If presentation to a medical facility is delayed, the disease may progress - up to the onset of an acute pain syndrome that cannot be relieved by analgesics and a complete loss of joint movement.In this article we will discuss in detail all the nuances related to the elimination of the consequences of this pathological process, its stages and preventive procedures.

What is coxarthrosis of the hip?

We are talking about a severe form of degenerative dystrophic disease of the hip joint that can lead to impairment to complete loss of joint function. In terms of frequency of manifestations, hip arthrosis ranks second, after knee deforming arthropathy.Hip arthropathy of the hip is accompanied by degenerative damage to the cartilage, the appearance of pathological growths, bone resorption, inflammatory processes and other complications.That is, this pathology is characterized by damage to the entire joint, which covers the cartilage tissue, synovial layer, subchondral bone plate, muscular structures, joint capsule and ligaments.The disease is also divided into the following forms:

• primary hip arthropathy. It is considered the most common disease of the hip joint. In the elderly, this pathology manifests itself against the background of age-related changes.
• secondary hip arthropathy. Manifests as a result of any disease.

Causes of Hip Arthropathy

The development of the pathology can be caused by external, acquired and hereditary causes.In particular, hip arthropathy can manifest itself in the context of congenital inferiority of the hip joint, degenerative dystrophic changes, trauma, inflammatory processes, bone marrow necrosis of the femoral head, metabolic disorders, genetic factors, age-related changes, obesity. , vascular abnormalities and working under difficult conditions.It should be noted that inflammation occurs in almost all joint structures.

3 stages of development of hip arthropathy

During the development of pathological processes, the viscosity of synovial fluid increases, leading to the appearance of microcracks and dehydration of the cartilage surface. This in turn leads to the development of limited chewing and mobility. A person feels this unpleasant manifestation during daily stress and physical activity. As pressure increases on the lower body, tired joints adapt to the forced position and begin to destroy nearby structures.Currently, the disease has 3 stages of development:

• first. Hip joints at this stage have mild symptoms that are inconsistent and appear in the affected area. At the same time, motor activity is preserved, and for pain relief it is enough to take medications;
• second. When a patient is diagnosed with stage one hip arthritis, the disease does not cause much discomfort, but when it reaches stage two, the symptoms become more pronounced. The pain becomes more severe and begins to radiate to other parts of the body. Significant decrease in exercise capacity, especially after prolonged walking or increased physical exertion;
• third. If second-degree coxaarthrosis is still treatable, in the third stage the pathology becomes chronic. It is accompanied by constant pain that travels to the lower parts of the body. The patient loses the ability to move without crutches. Without appropriate treatment, atrophy of the cartilage and muscle structures can occur.

Types of Hip Arthropathy

Classification of hip pathology is based on one criterion - how the disease develops in the musculoskeletal system. There are two main risk factors that can trigger this disease - genetic factors and factors acquired due to age-related changes. Depending on the source of occurrence, pathological processes are also divided into several types:

• primary hip arthropathy. This pathology manifests in the buttock area and is acquired. In the initial stage, it affects the synovial sac and then moves into the tissue area surrounding the joint. Risk factors include increased pelvic pressure, excessive physical activity, and the presence of inflammatory lesions in the lower limbs and spine. Degenerative lesions are concentrated in tissues that have changed;
• secondary hip arthropathy. This abnormality is hereditary. It is manifested in the joints and musculoskeletal system. After injury in women, and in the context of myelonecrosis of the femoral head, the development of the pathological process may already begin in utero.

Types of hip joint disease caused by:

• after infection. There are consequences following the identification of an infectious disease;
• post traumatic. Complications following diagnosis of limb injury;
• hormone imbalance. Occurs in the context of metabolic disorders or drug overdose;
• involution. This condition occurs in people over 50 years old due to aging of the body.

diagnostic measures

If you suspect grade 1 or 2 hip arthritis, you should have a complete physical exam before starting treatment. It is also important to consult an orthopedic surgeon, who will perform an examination, provide recommendations on laboratory tests, and develop an effective treatment plan. Typically, diagnostic measures are limited to the following procedures:

• radiography. Allows you to study the parameters of the space between cartilages, diagnose the presence of pathological growth and evaluate the condition of the femoral head;
• Ultrasonography. It is possible to track the etiology of changes in bone structure and ligaments, as well as study the dynamics of a patient's condition and determine the extent of the abnormality;
• CT. Enables you to obtain more detailed information about conditions close to joints and tissues;
• MRI. This method provides a detailed picture of the condition of all structures of the hip joint.

Hip arthrosis treatment

If a patient has been diagnosed with degree 1 or 2 hip arthropathy, it is possible to achieve effective results with a conservative approach. This treatment is prescribed individually to the patient and encompasses a variety of techniques that only combine to produce positive results. Therefore, if a patient is diagnosed with degree 1 or 2 hip arthropathy and corresponding symptoms are observed, the following measures may be recommended:

• use of drugs;
• physical therapy procedures;
• shockwave therapy;
• physiotherapy.

In order to achieve positive dynamics using a conservative approach, the causes of the development of coxarthrosis should be eliminated. First, you should lose weight, which will reduce the load on the joints and minimize the possibility of further development of degenerative dystrophic processes.Additionally, you should eliminate the use of tobacco products and increase physical activity to avoid overexertion. To prevent the progression of the pathology, experts recommend the use of orthopedic devices (orthotics and bandages). They allow you to securely immobilize your joints and provide necessary support during physical activity.

drug

Medications are also prescribed on an individual basis. Usually, patients are advised to take the following medications:

• NSAIDs. These drugs allow you to achieve a double effect: relieve pain and eliminate the inflammatory process;
• Preparations containing chondroitin, glucosamine and collagen. They allow you to activate the cartilage repair process;
• Steroids. Drugs with strong anti-inflammatory effects. Used when NSAIDs are not effective;
• muscle relaxants. Medications that relieve muscle tone, which are necessary to relieve pain of increasing intensity;
• Means normalization of blood circulationImprove the nutrition of tissues near joints;
• Vitamin B. Complexes containing this vitamin improve neurotransmission, which is especially important when nerve endings are compressed by affected structures.

If the pain is severe, periarticular blocks are also recommended. They are performed only in clinical settings under the supervision of professional experts. In this case, a special solution containing steroid hormones and anesthetic is injected into the joint.

Gymnastics Treats Hip Arthropathy

Particularly effective in restoring motor function and reducing muscle spasms are the special exercises recommended for hip joint disease. Thanks to optimally selected loads, pain can be reduced and range of motion increased. In addition, if compression of nerve endings is observed in the context of the disease, a correctly composed complex can prevent muscle atrophy processes and relieve spasms.Additionally, gymnastics for hip joint disease can help improve blood flow to the affected area and allow you to speed up the recovery process.When choosing exercises, experts must consider the damage to the hip joint and the physical condition of the patient.

physical therapy methods

Massage procedures and physical therapy can provide specific analgesic, anti-inflammatory and decongestant effects. They also help maintain muscle tone in the limbs and prevent the atrophy process.For hip abnormalities, the following surgeries are performed:

• UHF;
• laser exposure;
• Ultrasound therapy;
• magnet therapy;
• Exposure to direct current combined with medication;
• paraffin therapy;
• Sonic therapy.

The above-mentioned treatments will have a positive effect only if the patient is diagnosed with primary stage hip arthropathy.

Shock wave therapy for hip joint disease

For stage 1 or 2 hip arthrosis, shock wave therapy provides significant positive momentum. For example, a course of 10-15 shock wave therapy procedures can reduce negative manifestations of stage 2 pathology to signs of the initial stage of the disease.It is important to understand that only prompt treatment can provide the best recovery results. At the same time, the number of SWT programs can also be reduced.However, the key positive aspect when impacting the affected joint with shock waves is the ability to normalize blood circulation, which helps accelerate the delivery of vital nutrients to the various structures of the hip joint that are involved in the regeneration process.Additionally, as part of the delivery of shock wave therapy, pathological bone growth can be shattered, which can severely irritate joint tissue and prevent regeneration.The clinic has physiotherapists and neurologists with professional experience. They are skilled in the use of the latest physical therapy methods, including shock wave methods. In addition, experts have the ability to use modern equipment. This provides guaranteed positive results and allows you to shorten treatment time.

Surgery

Unfortunately, many patients delay contacting medical providers and only see a specialist when the hip joint begins to undergo irreversible processes.For advanced stage III or IV disease, the only effective approach is surgery. It will restore mobility and eliminate acute pain, i. e. significantly improve the patient's quality of life.Usually, surgery is needed when:

• Increased pain that cannot be relieved by medication;
• Insufficient joint space;
• Violates the integrity of the femoral neck;
• Physical activity is significantly limited.

Given the intensity of the joint injury and changes in bone tissue, patients may undergo the following types of interventions:

• Arthrodesis. An intervention that completely immobilizes a joint. For this purpose, special metal plates are used;
• Osteotomy. A surgical procedure involving artificial fracture of the femur to straighten its axis. The resulting parts are placed in optimal positions, which allows you to remove excessive loads from the affected joints;
• Arthroplasty. This is the only method that can restore full function of the hip joint and achieve a complete recovery for the patient. A person can forget about joint problems for 20-30 years after using this method of getting rid of hip joint problems.

The medical center performs surgical procedures on hip areas of any complexity. They are performed by highly qualified experts using modern tools and techniques, thus eliminating any errors during the intervention.

complications of disease

When the pathological process is in the advanced stage, joint mobility is significantly limited, walking and self-care abilities are lost, and pathological tissue fusion occurs. Furthermore, this abnormality can adversely affect gait, resulting from lameness and reduced limb size.

Precaution

Patients with hip pain should be observed by a specialist and use special orthopedic devices while performing work and physical activities. In addition, X-rays will be taken three times a year after surgery to monitor the condition of the joints.