An active and healthy lifestyle is inconceivable without exercise. Joints are the most important elements of the musculoskeletal system that allow a person to move freely and feel full. With age, dystrophic changes appear in the bone and cartilage tissue, pain appears, which signals the onset of the disease.
The hip joint can withstand enormous loads throughout life. It is therefore not surprising that the most common pathology of ODA is osteoarthritis of the hip joint. In this article, you will learn what it is and the causes, consequences and methods of treating coxarthrosis.
Features and causes of occurrence
Coxarthrosis is a chronic inflammatory process of the hip joint in which the cartilage tissue is prematurely destroyed.
The development of the disease leads to the growth of osteophytes and the fusion of the acetabulum and femoral head, as a result of which the joint space is narrowed and the joint loses its functionality.
Let's make it clear that coxarthrosis is the same as osteoarthritis and deforming osteoarthritis of the pelvic joint.
The disease can appear as a primary pathology or develop against the background of existing diseases.
Let's look at the main causes of coxarthrosis:
- during active or excessive physical exertion (trauma, microtrauma, overload);
- congenital abnormalities (dysplasia, Perthes disease, primary joint deformity);
- 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 middle-aged and elderly people. However, when several provoking factors appear at the same time, young people and even children are prone to coxarthrosis.
Symptoms
In order to be able to respond to the development of the pathology in a timely manner, it is important to pay attention to the characteristic symptoms that change in the course of osteoarthritis.
The first and most important symptom is pain in the leg that penetrates the groin, glutes, sacrum, thigh, and knee. The pain increases after physical exertion, whereby the standing and sitting position is maintained longer.
Important! The pain may initially be slight and not occur in the pelvis at all, but in the knee, for example. This fact makes an early diagnosis and a correct diagnosis difficult.
If the disease is not diagnosed in time, the patient has the following symptoms of osteoarthritis of the hip joint such as:
- severe pain in the groin when walking or resting on the leg;
- painful, rough crunching as you move your hips to the side and walk (not to be confused with the click that is inherent in most healthy people);
- joint stiffness, restriction of leg mobility;
- gait change, lameness, duck gait;
- Shortening or lengthening of the limbs;
- muscle atrophy;
- Leg fixation in one position (ankylosis).
An important diagnostic sign of coxarthrosis are physical limitations when bending forward and abducting the hip to the side.
A patient with this diagnosis has difficulty tying shoelaces, sitting with legs wide apart, and sitting low.
There are 3 degrees of osteoarthritis of the acetabulum and femoral head, which are characterized by a gradual destruction of the joint. Let's look at their functions below.
Stage 1 of coxarthrosis is characterized by slight destruction of the cartilage, the joint space is slightly narrowed.
In the second stage, the destruction of the cartilage tissue increases noticeably, the first signs of the disease begin to bother: pain, stiffness.
More serious damage to the hip joint occurs in 3 stages. It is characterized by deep destruction of cartilage, bone deformation, pain at rest. The disease completely destroys the cartilage and deforms the femur.
The joint loses its mobility, the leg is fixed and serves as a support. In this case, conservative therapy is powerless, surgical treatment with joint replacement is required.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of the disease shows how badly the cartilage is affected and whether osteoarthritis of the hip joint can be cured.
The success of the therapy depends on when the treatment was started.
Note. The last stage of coxarthrosis does not respond to conservative therapy and requires surgical intervention. Early diagnosis and treatment of the disease increases the chances of recovery.
To make a diagnosis, an external examination is carried out, the degree of mobility of the hip joint, changes in gait and leg length are assessed. To confirm primary coxarthrosis, X-rays, CT and MRI are prescribed. If the patient requires surgical treatment, urine, feces, blood and synovial fluid are also taken.
Disease treatment
Coxarthrosis is a progressive disease. It is impossible to cure it once, like acute respiratory infections, and forget about the condition of your joints.
Successful treatment of deforming arthrosis of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree hip joint requires an integrated approach that combines therapeutic exercises, medication, physiotherapy and changes in the patient's lifestyle.
In extreme cases, the patient has to resort to surgical treatment for coxarthrosis. The method of therapy depends on the degree of the disease.
Medicines
The first thing prescribed for a patient diagnosed with osteoarthritis is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers. They act directly on the site of inflammation and provide symptomatic treatment.
Note! It is important to note the dosage and duration of the course indicated by the doctor. The uncontrolled use of NSAIDs leads to side effects.
Vasodilators are also prescribed to treat coxarthrosis. They are necessary to increase blood flow to the diseased joint and to strengthen the nutrition of the 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 massage movements, blood circulation and lymphatic drainage are improved, muscles are strengthened and ligaments and tendons are more elastic. This treatment approach helps relieve pain, increase the effects of drug therapy, and reduce the need for medication.
Important! The massage should only be performed by a qualified professional. Careless movements cause even more pain and joint injuries.
Physiotherapy exercises
Movement is the basis of life. Gymnastics against osteoarthritis of the hip bones is aimed at restoring cartilage nutrition and the mobility of the joints and strengthening the muscle corset.
Regular exercise of therapeutic gymnastics leads to a reduction in leg discomfort when walking.
You can treat your hip pain at home with gymnastics.
All movements are aimed at 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 for the exercises:
- hypertension;
- critical days;
- infectious diseases;
- increased body temperature;
- the recovery phase after an operation on the abdominal and chest organs;
- inguinal and umbilical hernia;
- herniated disc;
- acute inflammatory processes of the internal organs or exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- serious diseases of the cardiovascular and circulatory system.
If movement causes a lot of pain during exercise, most likely it does not suit you. So it is better not to do them and exclude them from the complex.
Diet
Diet therapy for osteoarthritis of the hip joints aims to reduce and maintain a normal weight.
Being overweight puts stress on the spine and joints and increases the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders.
The basis of nutrition is a moderate intake of foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals. The food should be whole and contain the necessary building blocks for cells: proteins, carbohydrates, fats.
Plant-based foods should be preferred: nuts, seeds, leafy greens, seasonal vegetables and fruits, lean meat and fish, medium-fat dairy products, legumes and grains.
Cow's milk is best consumed in moderation.
Greasy, spicy, smoked, canned, fried, pickled dishes, semi-finished products, alcohol and coffee must be excluded from the diet.
Bad habits (smoking, drug addiction, overeating) also need to be eliminated from your lifestyle as they wear down the body and expose it to premature aging.
How to get rid of pain with folk remedies
Homeopathy for coxarthrosis of the hip joint is one of the methods of alternative therapy. Homeopaths make preparations based on natural components for the treatment of pathologies of the internal organs and the human skeleton. The peculiarity of homeopathic preparations against osteoarthritis is that they can restore the balance between the destruction of the cartilage by enzymes and the renewal of its tissue.
Warning! Before treating the hip joint at home, it is necessary to undergo a diagnosis of the disease. It is important that the pathology does not worsen, 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 taking any medicine, you must consult a doctor!
Prevention
People with a predisposition to this pathology should avoid stress and injuries, treat infectious diseases in a timely manner, exercise regularly, eat well and get enough sleep.
If you have any leg discomfort, it is recommended that you contact an orthopedic surgeon immediately for diagnosis and treatment.
Conclusion
Osteoarthritis of the hip joints is most common in people over 45, athletes, and children with congenital limb diseases. The disease destroys and deforms the joint, the person experiences excruciating pain in the legs. Successful treatment of coxarthrosis requires the involvement of therapeutic exercises, medication, correction of the patient's lifestyle and weight, and manual therapy.
Attention to health is the key to joint longevity! Do not postpone a visit to the orthopedic surgeon at the first symptoms of the disease.