Coxarthrosis of the hip joint is a complex process of a degenerative-dystrophic nature.The disease has a wide clinical picture and is characteristic mainly for people over 40 years old, but it can be diagnosed at a younger age, especially in children and teenagers.
Often, the precursor to the development of coxarthrosis of the hip joint are various types of trauma and inflammation, the treatment of which was absent or insufficient.
There are several degrees of development of degenerative-dystrophic processes, each of which requires a specific direction of complex methods of therapeutic treatment.
What is coxarthrosis of the hip joint?
Coxarthrosis or osteoarthrosis/deforming arthrosis of the hip joint 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, as well as the lack of proper treatment, causes deformation of adjacent bone surfaces and the appearance of bone growths in them, limiting mobility and interfering with normal human life.
Statistics show that this type of disease appears in 12% of the cases of diagnosis of the pathology of the musculoskeletal system.
Causes of coxarthrosis
Today, it is customary to distinguish two types of coxarthrosis of the hip joint:
- primary, the appearance of which is inexplicable;
- secondary, developing against the background of other existing diseases.
With primary coxarthrosis, accompanying pathologies of the musculoskeletal system are often observed, which include osteochondrosis of various parts of the spine.
Among the most likely reasons are the following:
- developmental pathologies of the musculoskeletal system (dysplasia);
- aseptic necrosis of joint tissues;
- infectious lesions;
- inflammatory and infectious diseases;
- injuries.
Risk factors
Among the factors that increase the risk of developing coxarthrosis of the hip joint, it is customary to highlight:
- systematic increase in loads;
- poor circulation within joint tissues;
- hormonal changes;
- metabolic disorders;
- natural aging;
- insufficiently active lifestyle.
It is worth paying attention to the fact that coxarthrosis itself cannot be inherited;accordingly, people with such a 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.Features of this type include metabolic disorders, the special structure of the musculoskeletal system, as well as the weakness of joint tissues.
Levels of coxarthrosis
Degenerative-dystrophic disease, like any other pathology, has degrees of development.Coxarthrosis has only three of them, each of which is characterized by the presence of certain changes.
Coxarthrosis of the 1st degree
With coxarthrosis of the first degree, a relatively moderate reduction of the joint space is observed, accompanied by the growth of bone tissue on the entire surface of the joint.
There are no pathological changes on the surfaces of the femur.
Coxarthrosis of the second degree
With 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 its head, which increases significantly in size and is covered with numerous irregularities along the contour.
At this stage of development, bone growth appears on all surfaces of the acetabulum, without being limited to the cartilage.
Grade 3 coxarthrosis
Coxarthrosis of the 3rd degree is characterized by a sharp deviation in functional indicators, as well as a strong reduction of the gap between the bones of the joint.In addition, there is a marked expansion of the femoral head, as well as numerous bone growths.
Symptoms of coxarthrosis
The main, constant symptom of the disease is pain of varying severity.The detailed symptomatic picture is determined by the intensity of development of pathological processes.
Coxarthrosis of the first degree includes the presence of symptoms such as:
- systemic pain caused by physical activity of varying intensity;
- localization of unpleasant and painful sensations in the hip/knee area.
Coxarthrosis of the second degree is expressed by the following symptoms:
- moderate intensity of pain, which is often manifested at rest;
- the spread of pain in the groin, groin area;
- the appearance of lameness after performing various types of exercises;
- reduction of the available range of motion (restriction of the ability to abduct the limb to the side).
With coxarthrosis of the 3rd degree, the following symptoms are observed:
- constant, unbearable pain at any time of the day;
- the need to use a cane to get around;
- limitation of motor function, reduction of muscle volume and shortening of the length of the lower limbs;
- torso tilt
Diagnosis of the disease
The initial diagnosis is made on the basis of the patient's complaints, as well as the results of a visual examination and the collected medical history.
Diagnostic procedures for identifying a disease such as coxarthrosis are aimed at identifying clinical signs and studying data from additional studies, the main of which is radiography.
X-rays for coxarthrosis allows you to determine the neglect of pathological processes and determine the cause of their occurrence.In particular, based on the results of an 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) – makes it possible to assess the extent of soft tissue damage.
It is also worth mentioning the existence of differential diagnosis, which includes the exclusion of such pathological processes as gonarthrosis and osteochondrosis of the spine.
Laboratory tests are also an integral part of complex diagnostics, which includes:
- a general blood and urine test to determine the patient's state of health;
- biochemical blood test to determine pathological conditions.
Treatment of coxarthrosis of the hip joint
An orthopedic surgeon makes a diagnosis and determines a treatment plan.Treatment tactics are formed based on data such as:
- degree of expression;
- the form of the disease;
- reason for development;
- the 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
The physiotherapeutic treatment of a patient includes the appointment of procedures such as:
- magnetic therapy;
- laser therapy;
- UHF therapy;
- UV radiation;
- shock wave therapy.
All the physiotherapeutic techniques used help improve blood circulation, start metabolic processes and, of course, accelerate tissue regeneration.
Drug treatment of coxarthrosis
Treatment of coxarthrosis of the hip joint with the help of medications includes the use of tools such as:
- muscle relaxants;
- NSAIDs;
- vasodilators;
- pain relievers;
- corticosteroids;
- chondroprotectors.
A particularly important group of drugs in the treatment of pathology are chondroprotectors that promote tissue restoration.
Therapeutic exercises (physiotherapy)
Therapeutic physical education classes are one of the most effective methods of complex treatment.
A set of exercises is developed by a medical specialist based on the diagnostic results and the existing level of physical fitness of the patient.
Massage
Therapeutic treatment of coxarthrosis includes the use of different types of massage:
- classical;
- point;
- vacuum.
In the absence of contraindications, after only a few sessions the patient will experience improved blood circulation in the joint area and the supply of nutrients required by his tissues will be replenished.
Participating in massage sessions helps strengthen and restore the soft tissues of the joint.
Surgical intervention for coxarthrosis
The lack of effectiveness of conservative treatment forces a person to use radical methods of treating the pathology.
The steady progression of pathological processes is a direct indication for surgical intervention.Today, two types of operations are performed:
- arthroplasty - removal of the femoral head from the acetabulum with subsequent correction of changes in joint tissues;
- endoprosthetics - installation of an implant.
The operation is performed when the patient's pathological condition is grade 3, which means the impossibility of eliminating destructive changes in the articular tissues.
Prognosis and possible complications
Only stage 1 degenerative-dystrophic disease is amenable to successful conservative treatment.In other cases, one cannot speak of full restoration of the functional activity of the hip joint, excluding the cases of installing an endoprosthesis.
In the absence of treatment, in the final stage of the development of pathological processes, the patient develops limited mobility of the joint of the flexion type, which makes movement impossible due to a constantly bent limb.
After full integration, the patient is unable to independently solve basic everyday issues and is assigned 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;
- body weight control;
- systematic preventive examination and timely treatment of various diseases.
Remember that your health is only in your hands.Keep it in optimal condition and enjoy a full life!