One of the most serious pathologies of the musculoskeletal system is coxarthrosis of the hip joint. If getting to a medical facility is delayed, the disease can progress - leading to the appearance of acute pain syndrome, which cannot be relieved by painkillers, and complete loss of joint mobility.
In this article we will talk in detail about all the nuances related to eliminating the consequences of this pathological process, its stages and prevention procedures.
What is coxarthrosis of the hip joint?
We are talking about a serious degenerative-dystrophic disease of the hip joint, which can cause a decrease in the joint's ability to function, or even its absolute loss. In terms of frequency of manifestations, coxarthrosis ranks second after knee deformity.
Coxarthrosis of the hip joint is accompanied by degenerative lesions of cartilage, the appearance of pathological developments, bone resorption, inflammatory processes and other complications.
That is, this pathology is characterized by damage to the entire joint, including cartilage tissue, synovial layer, subchondral bone plate, muscle structures, cysts and ligaments.
The following forms of the disease are also distinguished:
- Primary coxarthrosis. It is considered the most common disease of the hip joint. In the elderly, this pathology manifests itself based on age-related changes;
- Secondary coxarthrosis. Manifests as a result of any disease.
Causes of coxarthrosis
The development of pathology can be provoked by reasons of an external, acquired and genetic nature.
In particular, coxarthrosis can manifest based on congenital poor condition of the hip joint, degenerative-dystrophy, trauma, inflammatory processes, bone marrow necrosis of the femoral head, metabolic disorders, genetic factors, age-related changes, obesity, vascular abnormalities, and working in difficult conditions.
It should be noted that virtually all joint structures can become inflamed.
3 stages of development of coxarthrosis of the hip joint
During the development of the pathological process, the viscosity of the synovial fluid increases, causing the appearance of microcracks and leading to dehydration on the surface of the cartilage. This in turn contributes to body brittleness and limited mobility. A person feels such unpleasant manifestations during daily stress and physical activity. As the pressure on the lower limbs increases, the exhausted joint adapts to the forced posture and begins to destroy nearby structures.
Currently, the disease has 3 stages of development:
- Firstly. Hip coxarthrosis at this stage has mild symptoms that are inconsistent and appear in the affected area. At the same time, motor activity is preserved, to relieve pain it is enough to take medication;
- Monday. When a patient is diagnosed with hip coxarthrosis in stage 1, the disease does not cause much discomfort, but when it comes to stage 2 of the disease, the symptoms become more pronounced. The pain becomes more intense and begins to spread to other parts of the body. There is a significant decrease in mobility, which is especially noticeable after prolonged walking or increased physical exertion;
- The third day. If grade 2 coxarthrosis of the hip joint can still be treated, then in the third stage the pathology will become chronic. It is accompanied by constant pain that transmits to the lower part of the body. The patient loses the ability to move without using crutches. In the absence of appropriate treatment, atrophy of cartilage and muscle structures will occur.
Types of coxarthrosis
The classification of hip pathology is based on one criterion - how the disease arises in the musculoskeletal system. There are two main risk factors that can cause the onset of the disease - genetic and acquired due to age-related changes. The pathological process is also divided into several types, depending on the source of its occurrence:
- Primary coxarthrosis. This disease manifests in the hip area and is acquired. In the early stages, it affects the synovium, then it enters the tissue surrounding the joint. Risk factors include increased pressure on the pelvis, excessive physical activity and the presence of inflammatory foci in the lower limbs and spine. Degenerative lesions are concentrated in tissues that have undergone changes;
- Secondary coxarthrosis. This abnormality is hereditary. It manifests in the joints and musculoskeletal system. The development of the pathological process can begin already in the womb after a woman receives an injury, as well as due to bone marrow necrosis of the femoral head.
Types of coxarthrosis caused by:
- Post-infection. Determined when there are consequences after infectious diseases;
- Post-trauma. Diagnosis in case of complications after limb injury;
- Heterogeneous. Occurs in the setting of metabolic disorders or drug overdose;
- related. It appears in people over 50 years old due to aging of the body.
Diagnostic measures
If you suspect grade 1 or 2 coxarthrosis in the hip joint, before starting treatment you should examine the entire body. It is also important to consult with a chiropractor, who will perform the examination, make recommendations regarding laboratory tests, and create an effective treatment plan. Typically, diagnostic measures are limited to the following procedures:
- X-ray. Allows you to study the parameters of the distance between the cartilages, diagnose the presence of pathological developments, and also evaluate the condition of the femoral head;
- supersonic. Helps to trace the causes of changes in the structure of bones and ligaments, as well as study the dynamics of the patient's condition and determine the degree of development of anomalies;
- CT. Allows you to obtain more detailed information about the condition of the joints and tissues located near them;
- MRI. This method provides a detailed picture of the condition of all structures of the hip joint.
Treatment of coxarthrosis of the hip joint
If the patient has been diagnosed with 1 or 2 degrees of hip coxarthrosis, effective results can be obtained through conservative methods. This therapy is prescribed for each patient and includes several techniques, which only when combined bring a positive effect. Therefore, if a patient is diagnosed with 1 or 2 degree hip coxarthrosis and corresponding symptoms are observed, the following measures may be recommended:
- Use of drugs;
- Physical therapy procedures;
- Shock wave therapy;
- Physical therapy.
To achieve positive dynamics using conservative methods, it is necessary to eliminate the causes of coxarthrosis in the hip joint. First of all, you should reduce body weight, this will reduce the load on the joints and minimize the possibility of further development of the degenerative-dystrophic process.
Additionally, you should eliminate the use of tobacco products and increase physical activity, avoiding overexertion. To stop the progression of the pathology, experts recommend using orthopedic devices (orthoses and bandages). They allow you to firmly fix the joint and provide the necessary support during physical activity.
Medicine
Medicines are also prescribed on an individual basis. As a rule, patients are recommended to take the following drugs:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs allow you to get a double effect: relieve pain and eliminate the inflammatory process;
- The preparation contains chondroitin, glucosamine and collagen. They allow you to activate recovery processes in cartilage;
- Steroid hormones. The drug has a strong anti-inflammatory effect. Used in cases where NSAIDs are not clearly effective;
- Muscle relaxants. The drug reduces muscle tone, which is a necessary condition to reduce increased pain;
- Means normalizes blood circulationand improve the nutrition of tissues located near the joints;
- Vitamin B. Complexes containing this vitamin are prescribed to improve nerve transmission, which is of particular importance when the endings are compressed by the affected structures.
In cases where the pain is of significant intensity, a periarticular blockade should also be performed. They should only be performed under the supervision of professional experts in a clinical setting. In this case, special solutions containing steroid hormones and anesthetics will be injected into the joint.
Gymnastics treats coxarthrosis of the hip joint
Particularly effective in restoring motor function and reducing muscle spasms are exercises that are especially recommended for hip coxarthrosis. Due to optimally selected loads, it is possible to reduce pain and increase range of motion. In addition, a properly constructed complex allows you to prevent muscle atrophy processes and reduce spasms if compression of nerve endings is observed against the background of the disease.
In addition, gymnastics for coxarthrosis of the hip joint improves blood flow in the affected area and allows you to speed up the recovery process.
When choosing exercises, the specialist must take into account the degree of destruction of the hip joint and the patient's physical condition.
Physical therapy methods
Massage and physical therapy procedures can provide exceptional analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and decongestant effects. They also help maintain muscle tone in the limbs, preventing muscle atrophy.
For abnormalities of the hip joint, the following procedures are performed:
- UHF;
- Exposure to laser beams;
- Ultrasound treatment;
- Magnetic;
- Exposure to direct current in combination with drugs;
- Paraffin therapy;
- Phonetics.
The above treatment will only bring a positive effect if the patient is diagnosed with coxarthrosis in the early stages.
Shock wave therapy for coxarthrosis
For coxarthrosis in the first or second stages, shock wave treatment provides significant positive momentum. For example, a course of 10-15 shock wave therapy procedures can reduce the negative manifestations characteristic of stage 2 pathology to signs of the early stages of the disease.
It is important to understand that only timely treatment can provide the best recovery. At the same time, the number of SWT procedures can be reduced.
However, the main positive aspect of impacting the affected joint with shock waves is its ability to normalize blood circulation, facilitating the rapid supply of important nutrients involved in the regeneration process. to various structures of the hip joint.
Moreover, as part of the implementation of shock wave therapy, it is possible to inhibit the growth of pathological bones, contribute to significant irritation of joint tissues and prevent regeneration.
Specialist physiotherapists and neurologists work at the clinic. They are proficient in working with the latest physical therapy methods, which include shock wave methods. In addition, specialists are capable of working with modern equipment. This gives a guaranteed positive effect and allows you to shorten the treatment time.
Surgery
Unfortunately, many patients delay contacting a medical facility and see a specialist only when irreversible processes begin to occur in the hip joint.
For the third or fourth stage of advanced disease, the only effective method is surgery. It will restore mobility and eliminate acute pain, that is, significantly improve the patient's quality of life.
As a rule, surgery is indicated in the following cases:
- Pain of increasing intensity that cannot be relieved by medication;
- Lack of space between joints;
- Violation of the integrity of the femoral neck;
- Significant limitation of physical activity.
Considering the degree of joint damage and changes in bone tissue, the patient may be prescribed the following types of interventions:
- Arthritis. An intervention that creates complete immobilization of the joint. For this purpose, special metal plates are used;
- Bone cutting. A surgical intervention consists in artificially fracturing the femur to straighten its shaft. The resulting parts are placed in the most optimal position, allowing you to remove excessive loads from the affected joint;
- joint surgery. The only method that can restore all functions of the hip joint and help patients recover completely. After using this method of eliminating coxarthrosis, a person will forget about joint problems for 20-30 years.
Medical centers perform surgical procedures in the hip joint area of any degree of complexity. They are performed by highly qualified specialists, using modern tools and technology, which eliminates any errors during the intervention.
Complications of the disease
When the pathological process is at an advanced stage, joint mobility is significantly limited, the patient loses the ability to walk and take care of himself, and pathological tissue fusion is observed. Furthermore, such an abnormality can have an undesirable impact on gait, which is caused by the appearance of lameness and reduced limb size.
Preventive action
Patients with hip pain should be observed by a specialist and use special orthopedic devices when performing work and physical activity. In addition, after surgery, X-rays are required 3 times a year to monitor joint condition.