One of the most serious pathologies in the musculoskeletal system is coxarthrosis of the hip joint. If the visit to the medical facility is delayed, the disease can progress - up to the appearance of acute pain syndrome, which cannot be relieved by analgesics, And there may be complete loss of motor ability of the joint.
In this article we will talk in detail about all the nuances related to eliminating the consequences of this pathological process, its stages and preventive procedures.
What is coxarthrosis of the hip joint?
We are talking about a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the hip joint in severe form, which can provoke a violation of the functional capacity of the joint, up to its complete loss. In terms of the frequency of manifestation, deformities of the knee jointCoxarthrosis is in second place after arthrosis.
Coxarthrosis of the hip joint is accompanied by degenerative damage to the cartilage, the presence 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, muscle structures, capsule and ligaments.
The following forms of the disease are also distinguished:
- primary coxarthrosis, It is considered the most common disease occurring in the hip joint. In older people, this pathology appears only against the background of age-related changes;
- secondary coxarthrosis, Manifests itself as a result of any disease.
Causes of coxarthrosis
The development of pathology can be triggered by reasons of external, acquired and hereditary nature.
In particular, coxarthrosis manifests itself against the background of congenital inferiority of the hip joint, degenerative-dystrophic changes, trauma, inflammatory processes, necrosis of the bone marrow of the femoral head, metabolic disorders, genetic factors, age-related changes, obesity. Can do. , vascular abnormalities, and working in difficult conditions.
It should be noted that almost all joint structures are subject to inflammation.
3 stages of development of coxarthrosis of the hip joint
During the development of the pathological process, the viscosity of the joint fluid increases, leading to the appearance of microcracks and dehydration of the cartilage surface. This, in turn, contributes to the appearance of crunching and limited mobility. Such unpleasant manifestations are felt during stress and physical activity. As the pressure on the lower limbs increases, the tired joint goes into a forced state and begins to destroy nearby structures.
Currently, there are 3 stages of development of the disease:
- First, Coxarthrosis of the hip joint at this stage has mild symptoms that are inconspicuous and visible in the affected area. At the same time, motor activity is preserved, and it is enough to take medications to relieve pain;
- Second, When a patient is diagnosed with coxarthrosis of the hip joint 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. Motor abilities deteriorate significantly, which becomes especially noticeable after prolonged walking or increased physical effort;
- third, If coxarthrosis of the hip joint of the second degree is still treatable, then in the third stage the deformity becomes chronic. It is accompanied by constant pain and spreads to the lower part of the body. The patient loses the ability to walk without crutches. In the absence of proper therapeutic measures, atrophy of the cartilage and muscular structures occurs.
Types of coxarthrosis
The classification of hip joint deformities is based on one criterion - how the disease arose in the musculoskeletal system. There are two main risk factors that can trigger the onset of the disease - genetic and acquired due to age-related changes. Depending on the source of occurrenceDepending on the disease process is also divided into several types:
- primary coxarthrosis, This pathology appears in the hip area itself and is acquired. At the initial stage, it affects the synovial capsule, after which it moves to the area of the tissues surrounding the joint. Risk factors include increased pressure on the pelvic bones, Includes excessive physical activity and the appearance of inflammatory foci in the lower extremities and spinal cord. Degenerative lesions are concentrated in tissues that have already undergone changes;
- secondary coxarthrosis, This anomaly is hereditary. It manifests itself in the joints and musculoskeletal system. The development of the pathological process can begin in the womb after a woman has received an injury, as well as against the background of necrosis of the bone marrow of the femoral head.
Types of coxarthrosis due to occurrence:
- post-infectious, Identified in the presence of consequences after infectious diseases;
- post traumatic, Diagnosis in case of complications after organ injury;
- dissonant, Occurs against the background of metabolic disorders or drug overdose;
- inclusive, It appears in people above 50 years of age due to aging of the body.
diagnostic measures
If you suspect grade 1 or 2 coxarthrosis of the hip joint, before starting treatment, you should undergo a complete examination of the body. It is also important to consult an orthopedic doctor, who will conduct an examination, recommendations regarding laboratory tests. and formulate an effective treatment plan. Generally, diagnostic measures are limited to the following procedures:
- radiograph, Allows you to study the parameters of the gap between the cartilage, diagnose the presence of pathological growths and assess the condition of the femoral head;
- ultrasonography, Makes it possible to track the etiology of changes in bone structures and ligaments, as well as study the dynamics of the patient's condition and determine the degree of development of the anomaly;
- whistle, Allows you to get more detailed information about the condition of the joints and the 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 coxarthrosis of the hip joint of 1 or 2 degrees, it is possible to achieve effective results with conservative methods. Such therapy is prescribed to the patient individually and includes several techniques. , which give a positive effect only together. Therefore, if a patient is diagnosed with coxarthrosis of the hip joint of 1 or 2 degrees, and corresponding symptoms are observed, the following measures can be recommended:
- use of drugs;
- physiotherapeutic procedures;
- shock wave therapy;
- Physiotherapy.
To achieve positive dynamics using conservative methods, the causes that provoke the occurrence of coxarthrosis of the hip joint should be eliminated. First of all, you should reduce body weight, which will reduce the load on the joint and prevent degenerative-dystrophicThe chances of further development of the process will be less.
In addition, you should eliminate the use of tobacco products and increase physical activity while avoiding excessive effort. To prevent the progression of pathology, experts recommend the use of orthopedic devices (orthoses and bandages). Allow to fix firmly and provide necessary support during physical activity.
medicines
Medications are also prescribed on an individual basis. As a rule, patients are advised to take the following medications:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, These drugs allow you to achieve a double effect: pain relief and elimination of the inflammatory process;
- Preparations containing chondroitin, glucosamine and collagen, They allow you to activate restorative processes in cartilage;
- steroid hormones, Drugs with a strong anti-inflammatory effect. Used in situations where NSAIDs are not significantly effective;
- muscle relaxants, Medicines that relieve muscle tone, which is a necessary condition for relieving pain of increased intensity;
- That is, it normalizes blood circulation. and improving the trophism of tissues located near the joint;
- 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 case of pain of significant intensity, it is also recommended to perform periarticular blockade. These are performed only under the supervision of professional specialists in a clinical setting. In this case, special solutions with steroid hormones and anesthetics are injected into the joint. .
Gymnastics for coxarthrosis of the hip joint
Special exercises are particularly effective in restoring motor function and reducing muscle spasms that are recommended for coxarthrosis of the hip joint. Due to optimally selected loads, pain relief and movementsIt is possible to increase the amplitude of. In addition, a properly formulated complex allows you to stop atrophic processes in the muscles and relieve spasms if pinching of nerve endings is observed against the background of the disease.
In addition, gymnastics for coxarthrosis of the hip joint helps to improve blood flow in the affected area and allows you to speed up recovery processes.
When choosing exercises, the specialist must take into account the degree of destruction of the hip joint and the physical condition of the patient.
physiotherapy methods
Massage procedures and physiotherapy can provide a special analgesic, anti-inflammatory and decongestant effect. They also help maintain muscle tone in the limbs, preventing atrophic processes.
For hip joint abnormalities, the following procedures are performed:
- UHF;
- laser exposure;
- ultrasound treatment;
- Magnetotherapy;
- exposure to direct electric current in combination with medications;
- Paraffin therapy;
- Phonophoresis.
The above treatment will provide a positive effect only if the patient has been diagnosed with coxarthrosis at the primary stage.
Shock wave therapy for coxarthrosis
For coxarthrosis of the first or second stage, shock wave treatment provides significant positive dynamics. For example, a course of 10-15 shock wave therapy procedures can reduce the negative manifestations of stage 2 pathology to signs of the initial stage of the disease. Is.
It is important to understand that only timely treatment sessions can provide the best recovery effect. Also, it will be possible to reduce the number of SWT procedures.
However, the main positive aspect when influencing the affected joint with shock waves is the ability to normalize blood circulation, which facilitates the quick supply of vital nutrients involved in regenerative processes to various structures of the hip joint.
In addition, as part of the implementation of shock wave therapy, it is possible to crush pathological bone growth, which contributes to significant irritation of the articular tissues and prevents regeneration.
Physiotherapists and neurologists with professional experience work in the clinics. They are well versed in working with the latest physiotherapeutic methods, including the shockwave method. In addition, specialists have the ability to work with modern equipment. It is aProvides a guaranteed positive effect and allows you to shorten the duration of treatment.
Surgery
Unfortunately, many patients delay contacting a medical facility and visit a specialist only when irreversible processes begin to occur in the hip joint.
For advanced third or fourth stage of the disease, the only effective method is surgery. This will restore motor ability and eliminate intense pain, that is, significantly improve the patient's quality of life.
As a rule, surgery is prescribed in the following situations:
- Painful sensations of increased intensity that cannot be relieved by medications;
- reduction of interarticular space;
- Violation of the integrity of the femoral neck;
- Significant limitation of physical activity.
Taking into account the intensity of joint damage and changes in bone tissue, patients may be prescribed the following types of interventions:
- arthrodesis, An intervention that produces complete immobility of the joint. For this purpose, special metal plates are used;
- dissection, A surgical intervention consisting in an artificial fracture of the femur to straighten its axis. The resulting parts are placed in the most optimal position, which allows you to remove excessive load from the affected joint;
- arthroplasty, The only method through which it is possible to restore all the functionality of the hip joint and achieve complete recovery of the patient. After using this method of eliminating coxarthrosis, a person will not have joint problems for 20-30 years. Forgets.
Medical centers perform surgical procedures in the field of hip joint of any complexity. They are carried out by highly qualified specialists using modern equipment and technology, which eliminates any errors during the intervention.
Complications of the disease
When the pathological process is at an advanced stage, joint mobility becomes significantly limited, a person loses the ability to walk and take care of himself, and pathological tissue fusion is observed. In addition, such an anomaly on gaitCan have undesirable effects, leading to the appearance of lameness and reduction in limb size.
Preventive action
Patients with pain in the hip joint should be monitored by a specialist and use special orthopedic devices when performing work and physical activity. In addition, it is necessary to undergo radiography 3 times a year to monitor the condition of the joint after surgery. Is.