The disease has such a complicated name - what is coxarthrosis? This disease is a degenerative joint condition of the hip joint and is commonly referred to as osteoarthritis of the hip.
Currently, coxarthrosis is the leading disease among the diseases of the musculoskeletal system, having a degenerative-dystrophic nature. There are many reasons that contribute to the occurrence of coxarthrosis, and in connection with this, the disease has become widespread in all age groups.
Coxarthrosis refers to a degenerative joint condition of a non-inflammatory nature, in which at first there are degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cartilage of the hip joint, located on the surface of the joint, and in the later stages, changesskeletal changes have occurred. live. During the gradual development of the disease with coxarthrosis, as a result, there is a violation of the natural normal functions of the affected hip, which ultimately leads to a violation of the functions of the musculoskeletal system of the hip. the patient as a whole.
For the most part, degenerative hip disease affects people over the age of forty. Of course, coxarthrosis, like other diseases, can be successfully treated without surgery, but only in its early stages. But in the later stages, it will be difficult to do without surgical intervention, and there is only one thing that can help avoid disability - the prosthesis of the joint affected by coxarthrosis. Unfortunately, people with degenerative hip disease, who don't take the minor pain in the hip seriously in the early stages of the disease, should avoid going to the doctor, the degenerative hip disease, meanwhile, keeps progressing day by day. another day, gradually turned into. a more advanced form.
How does coxarthrosis develop?
Let's see the mechanism of development of coxarthrosis. And let's start with the fact that the hip consists of two bones:
- the end of the femur itself, similar to a ball;
- acetabulum, similar to a small billiard pocket, located in the ileal part of the pelvis;
- special articular cartilage on the surface of both bones, like a sponge-like substance and necessary as a shock absorber, compressing during movement and straightening without it;
- as well as the ligaments that make up the cavity of the hip joint itself and thus the capsule.
In addition, surrounding the joint is also surrounded by muscle tissue, such as the thigh bone, gluteal muscle and other muscles, depending on the function, the condition of the hip joint also depends.
During movement, when articular cartilage is compressed, a specific fluid is "squeezed" out of it into the joint, which is a type of lubricant for the bones in the joint. In addition, the articular cartilage itself also performs the function of evenly distributing the load on the joint surface, being an excellent shock absorber during movement.
The occurrence of coxarthrosis is mainly due to disordered nutrition of the hip cartilage. Cartilage becomes thinner, and then disappears in some places. If nothing is taken to stop this process, then in the locations where the cartilage atrophy described above occurs, the bone itself will grow directly, thus attempting to "fill" the gap. leading to the joint cavity. Thus, as a result of such bone changes, osteoblasts, i. e. "spikes" on the bones, begin to appear. These deformities, in turn, lead to a violation of the alignment of the bones of the joints in the hip joint and subsequent "abrasion" of the remaining healthy areas of articular cartilage.
Causes of hip osteoarthritis
The cause of coxarthrosis, by which it occurs, can be divided into primary, of unknown etiology, and secondary, as a result of other diseases, such as:
- hip dislocation, which is congenital;
- hip dysplasia;
- aseptic necrosis of the femoral head;
- previously suffered various injuries, such as a fracture of the femoral neck;
- Perthes disease;
- inflammatory processes in the hip joint;
Since coxarthrosis occurs not only in one but simultaneously in both hip joints, it is safe to say that bilateral coxarthrosis is not uncommon. Although with primary coxarthrosis, usually, the knee joint or spine is also affected.
Symptoms of coxarthrosis
The first symptoms of coxarthrosis directly depend on the extent of damage to the hip joint, as well as on the stage of development of the disease, and the main symptoms are:
- manifest pain with movement, in the hip joint and disappear at rest;
- floating limp;
- stiffness appears in the hip joint;
- descending progress in the range of motion of the hip;
- muscle weakness and significant volume loss.
Separately, we consider the symptoms of coxarthrosis, depending on the extent of the disease with this disease:
- Symptoms of grade 1 coxarthrosis: Pain in the hip joint appears to be of a moderate nature and appears only after the joint is subjected to a large load for a long time. After removing the load and resting, this syndrome completely ceases. With first degree coxarthrosis symptoms, gait remains normal and joint range of motion remains unchanged.
- Symptoms of grade 2 coxarthrosis: pain in the hip joint was felt more intense than in the first degree, but in addition, they were projected into the groin area. In view of the developing atrophy, the knee also begins to hurt, and more often than the femoral-pelvic joint itself. Sometimes, with symptoms of second-degree coxarthrosis, pain begins to appear even at rest, and after the load is transferred to the affected joint, it is necessary to rest for a long time to relieve the pain. The lameness begins to appear when running or walking for long periods of time. At the same time, the strength of the thigh muscles is also reduced and the range of motion of the joint is also underestimated.
- Symptoms of grade 3 coxarthrosis: Persistent pain in the hip joint, not relieved even by resting for too long or continuously, including at night. The pain has affected the entire leg. Against the background of pain, the patient suffered from insomnia and various sleep disorders. The muscles of the thighs, buttocks and legs are severely atrophied, while the mobility of the joints is almost minimal. When walking, the patient is forced to use assistive devices, such as canes, to move.
If such osteochondrosis develops only in the hip joint of one leg, its weakened femoral muscles promote the development of lateral displacement of the pelvis, so that the length of the femurLegs with joints affected by reduced coxarthrosis.
Diagnosis of coxarthrosis
When diagnosing coxarthrosis, the symptoms of coxarthrosis described above must necessarily be taken into account in combination with the data obtained from the radiological examination of the patient. This technique provides the opportunity to determine not only the degree of coxarthrosis, but also to identify the causes that act as catalysts for the development of coxarthrosis. Radiographs provide an excellent opportunity to identify specific traumatic changes in the hip that are directly related to the development mechanism of coxarthrosis.
In addition to the diagnostic methods listed, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging methods may also be used, providing the opportunity for a detailed study of the developing pathology, such assuch as the structure of bone tissue, their deformation. companion of this disease. With regard to magnetic resonance imaging, this method still allows the assessment of pathological disorders experienced by the soft tissues around the joints affected by coxarthrosis.
Treatment of coxarthrosis
The choice of treatment for coxarthrosis directly depends on the symptoms of coxarthrosis and its stage. Usually, with first and second degrees of coxarthrosis, traditional conservative drug therapy is performed, which includes hepatoprotectors, vasodilators, and, if indicated, muscle relaxants. During particularly acute coxarthrosis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are also used. It should be noted that such treatment must be carried out by a specialist, since self-medication, unlike traditional medicine, can have extremely negative effects on the internal organs of the patient andcompletely destroy the ability to restore hyaline cartilage.
In addition, in the case of coxarthrosis, various physiotherapeutic procedures and exercise therapy are prescribed. Particularly effective, combined with the traditional drug treatment of coxarthrosis, is the use of magnetic field therapy in the treatment of joint diseases with a special device.
The effect on the body of patients with coxarthrosis by diet does not have a direct therapeutic effect, but obese people should reduce their body weight, as it can reduce the load on the affected joint, due towhich relieves the acute symptoms of coxarthrosis.
For the third degree of coxarthrosis, the symptoms are the most painful, the treatment, as such, is carried out only through surgical intervention, for example, hip arthroplasty. Statistical data show that after surgery, 95% of cases can fully recover the functions of the limb with a hip deformity, so that a fairly active lifestyle can be achieved.
The useful life of such a prosthesis is about 15–20 years, but at the end of its life, a second surgery is required to replace the worn-out organ.
Note,it is important! Do not self-diagnose!If symptoms of coxarthrosis appear, you should consult a chiropractor, since only a good specialist can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the most optimal treatment.
Prevention of coxarthrosis
Coxarthrosis can be avoided if the necessary precautions of coxarthrosis are taken:
- Compulsory and timely treatment of arthritis diseases;
- timely treatment of joint dysplasia;
- imperative to proper and reasonable physical activity, especially exercises with weights to be performed correctly;
- Compulsory control of your body weight, maintaining it within standards;
- joint injury prevention.