Our body is a complex system in which the breakdown of one "screw" causes the failure of other "parts". In addition to diseases of internal organs, chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, especially joints, create a lot of problems. Today I propose a discussion of hip arthrosis. What are the symptoms and recommended treatments.
This joint is the largest in the human skeleton. It is constantly used when walking, bending, turning, so the disease brings the patient severe pain and stiffness. Fortunately, with an early diagnosis, the disease is well treated with medication. It is simply not so easy to suspect that something is wrong, you must know all the characteristics of the disease and be able to recognize the first manifestations. And, of course, take care of ways to prevent it, and our article will help you with that.
Osteoarthritis or arthrosis of the hip joint is also called coxarthrosis, all these terms mean one - a complex progressive disease with destruction of the cartilage that covers the head of the femur and acetabulum. As a result, the joint gradually collapses, turns into bone, grows and loses mobility.
Coxarthrosis - what is it
Let's take a closer look at what coxarthrosis is, as it is a term often used by doctors due to the fact that recently the word "arthrosis" has been excluded from medical terminology because it was previously believed to have nothing to do with inflammation, but later scientists proved otherwise. For us, these disputes are not important, the main thing is that all these names refer to the same very unpleasant disease.
Thus, coxarthrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease that causes destruction and deformation of cartilage tissue. It is mainly diagnosed in women over the age of 40 and in men over the age of 60.
Why is it such an injustice than the ladies did evil before nature? The point here is in the special structure of the female skeleton and the load on the hip joint, especially during childbirth and childbirth. As a result, middle-aged women are more likely to suffer from these diseases, and in the older age category, the number of patients of different sexes is gradually equalizing.
Causes of hip arthrosis
There can be many reasons for the development of osteoarthritis in the hip joint.
The most common of these are:
- heredity, if the parents or one of the relatives had such a disease, then you need to be more careful about your health, because although the disease itself is not related to genetics, predisposition to metabolic disorders and other disorders can cause joint problems;
- strong loads on the pelvis, especially in athletes who run, jump, lift weights;
- obesity, even a slight increase in body weight can be negative for the joints, which causes an increased load on them, so obese people are more prone to osteoarthritis;
- injuries, fractures, pelvic bruises;
- endocrine disorders such as diabetes can cause bone problems; inflammatory, infectious processes in the body, for example, purulent or rheumatoid arthritis;
- the presence of problems with the spine or bones (flat feet, scoliosis, osteochondrosis) that change posture and stress on the joints;
- hormonal imbalance;
- weakening of blood circulation in tissues;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- age, which is associated with deterioration of tissue nutrition.
Degree of coxarthrosis
Doctors distinguish 3 stages or stages of disease development, which will help differentiate the main symptoms. It is important to know that when making a diagnosis in phase 1, it is quite possible to completely cure the disease and forget about it for many years, and in the third phase the only correct decision will be surgery, otherwise the patient is at risk of disability.
Phase 1
The following symptoms will help determine the presence of grade 1 osteoarthritis in the hip joint:
- pain during and immediately after heavy joint loading;
- localization of pain only in the area of the bone joint;
- gait not changed;
- no lameness;
- muscles retain strength and shape.
During a computer diagnosis, the doctor may notice bone growth on the surface of the joint, especially along the inner and outer edges of the acetabulum. At this stage, properly selected medications allow you to fully restore joint function, but not all of us run to the doctor at the first manifestation of pain.
Admit it, a little discomfort often makes you think of stretching, spraining, fatigue. We start rubbing the sore spot with various creams, ointments, trying to cure folk methods, without understanding the cause and wasting precious time. Therefore, if you feel pain in your leg, the first thing you need to do is go to the doctor, taking some time for yourself - this is the key to a long, full and happy life!
Phase 2
If the problem is not diagnosed and cured immediately, then grade 2 osteoarthritis gradually forms, characterized by the following symptoms:
- more frequent pains that can occur even with inactivity;
- pain is no longer limited to the area of the bony ligament, it radiates to the thigh, groin, back;
- movements become limited, the person is unable to fully move the leg to the side;
- lameness appears.
During the examination, the images show bone growths on the edges of the cavity, enlargement of the tip of the bone, its movement and destruction of the edge.
Fortunately, with the help of complex therapy, grade 2 arthrosis is still susceptible to conservative treatment.Phase 3
Well, it's really bad for patients who have neglected their health so much that they've got stage III osteoarthritis, it's typical for that:
- day and night pain, even without physical exertion;
- need to use crutches or sticks;
- atrophy, ie shortening of the muscles of the diseased leg, change of posture.
Characters
We have already briefly mentioned the symptoms of the disease, it remains to summarize all these symptoms.
Coxarthrosis manifests itself:
- severe pain in the joint, which can later radiate to the leg, groin, knee;
- movement disorders, difficulty walking without support;
- shortening of the diseased limb;
- poor posture;
- decreased range of motion in the affected joint;
- X-ray shows muscle atrophy;
- MRI shows soft tissue problems, inflammation;
- CT shows the presence of bone growths.
The symptoms are clear, but not so clear. Therefore, for one of these signs, it is necessary to consult a specialist for diagnosis, because it can be arthrosis and completely other diseases with similar symptoms.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of the disease should be made by several doctors, because pelvic pain can cause various diseases.
Like this:
- The therapist can find chronic diseases that cause discomfort in the hips;
- neurologist excludes or confirms the presence of intervertebral hernias, they sometimes cause the same symptoms that are characteristic of osteoarthritis;
- urologist checks men for inflammation in the prostate, these diseases also often cause pelvic pain, radiating to the legs;
- gynecologist looks for adhesions in the patient, they are also similar in the manifestation of this disease;
- rheumatologist is a narrow specialist who deals with such problems, he will help determine the stage of the disease, its causes and methods of treatment;
- The surgeon and orthopedist will come in handy at an advanced stage when the patient needs surgery.
So, in order to make a correct diagnosis, it will not be possible to limit yourself to one visit to the doctor, and in addition you still have to pass tests:
- clinical and biochemical analysis of urine and blood for inflammation in the body;
- MRI for soft tissue examination;
- CT for bone examination;
- X-rays will show bone damage;
- arthroscopy is indicated in some cases;
- Sometimes pelvic ultrasound is needed.
The success of treatment depends on the correct diagnosis, the degree of damage and the cause of the deformity. For example, if osteoarthritis has caused bone tuberculosis, then the usual therapy is prohibited, and in the case of metabolic disorders, it is necessary to first remove the underlying cause and then fight its consequences.
Treatment of hip arthrosis
The most effective treatment is in the early stages, then you can limit yourself to different medications. How to treat inflammation - the doctor decides after a series of studies. Therapy largely depends on the cause and degree of destruction, but mostly try to relieve pain, eliminate inflammation, improve blood circulation, for this they use:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- painkillers to return the patient to normal life and facilitate walking;
- muscle relaxants to restore blood circulation in the diseased area of the body;
- chondroprotectors, which help stop cartilage deformation;
- steroid injections are used when the pain intensifies;
- vasodilators.
In addition to pills, injections and ointments, the treatment includes the use of a special diet and exercise, a set of measures helps to significantly improve the condition and restore leg mobility.
Surgery
If conservative treatment does not bring a visible result or the disease is diagnosed in the last stage, there is only one way out - this is surgery. The procedure is complicated, in rare cases rejection or danger of thromboembolism and other fatal complications is possible. At the same time, for seriously ill patients, this is the only chance for a normal life, because with an artificial joint, after healing and rehabilitation, a person will be able to move peacefully.
As with any other surgery, a patient with coxarthrosis must prepare in advance for general anesthesia, must not eat or drink before the procedure, and the bowels are cleansed. Then his legs were wrapped in elastic bandages to avoid edema, laid on his side and immersed in sleep. After that, the doctor makes an incision on the thigh, opens the access to the joint, cuts off the head of the femur and places the incision in the incision, to which the head of titanium is attached.
Damaged pelvic bone tissue is also removed and replaced with a polymer pad to allow normal leg movement in the future. Next, the wound is sutured, a bandage is placed on it. Healing is still followed by a recovery period, but in the absence of rejection, a person can walk for 20 years or even a lifetime, walking calmly with an artificial wrist, without feeling pain and stiffness.
Chondroprotectors
Due to the disease, the hip joint loses mobility, changes in tissues are observed, cartilage is destroyed and bone growth is created in its place. Fortunately, effective drugs have been invented to restore cartilage tissue, they are also called chondroprotectors, which in Latin means "protection of cartilage".
So what are these drugs capable of?
- stop the process of destruction of cartilage tissue;
- speeds up metabolism in the joint;
- stimulate the production of synovial fluid, ie natural lubrication, which is usually produced in the cartilage tissue and encourages easy sliding of the bone in the joint;
- relieve inflammation;
- facilitate joint movement.
Preparations can contain two main components - glucosamine and chondroitin.
As for the form of the medicine, it can be different, from tablets, capsules, ointments, creams to solutions for injections. The choice of drug, dosage and duration of use should be determined by the attending physician taking into account the characteristics of the organism. But, as a rule, injections are used during exacerbations, and then the patient is switched to a gentler treatment that can last for months, at least six months. After all, restoring cartilage tissue is a long thing, but it allows you to regain freedom of movement without surgery.
Injections
In some cases, treatment of the disease involves injections. Only a doctor should do them, resorting to such a solution only in extreme cases, because it is risky to treat the disease in this way. The fact is that the gap between the bones in the hip joint is small, and with coxarthrosis it narrows even more. As a result, sometimes even an experienced doctor cannot get into the joint capsule itself, and the risk of touching nerves and blood vessels is high.
At the same time, injections are sometimes the only way to relieve pain and inflammation, and various medications are used for this purpose:
- corticosteroids for pain relief, such injections may be given no more than once every two weeks and in a course not exceeding 7;
- chondroprotectors help in tissue regeneration, stimulate the production of synovial fluid for normal bone glide and improve tissue elasticity. In the form of injections, drugs act faster than tablets or ointments, which allows the drug to be delivered directly to the destination;
- Hyaluronic acid is the latest method to relieve inflammation and pain. It is used after all other drugs have been tried and have not achieved the desired result, the effect of its use is long-lasting, the injection is performed once.
Physiotherapy
Unfortunately, in the fight against hip arthrosis, physiotherapeutic procedures are ineffective due to the deep base of the affected area. However, sometimes doctors prescribe kinesiotherapy to relieve pain.
Massage
If a medical massage is performed by a professional, it helps to improve blood circulation in the joint, restore mobility and stop tissue destruction. But its use is indicated only exclusively during the period of remission, during the absence of pain.
Also, to achieve a clear effect, you do not need one-time visits to a specialist, but two or three times a year courses to maintain the condition of bones and joints.
Treatment of coxarthrosis with folk remedies
Although it is quite difficult to completely cure coxarthrosis in the hip joint using only folk remedies, especially in a severe, advanced form, even doctors recognize the effectiveness of natural remedies. Many formulations based on medicinal herbs, roots and essential oils significantly alleviate the condition of the sick person, stop the destruction of cartilage and the formation of bone and scar tissue, stimulate the production of synovial fluid, which is very important in the fight against the disease.
In order for the treatment to be most effective and give positive results, it is worth talking to your doctor about which alternative methods can be used on your own at home.
Some of the most popular tools:
- spring ointment. To prepare it, the root must be crushed in a coffee grinder, mixed with melted lard in a ratio of 2: 3, cook on low heat for five minutes, cool and lubricate with the composition of the sore spot in the evening for a month. Then rest for a week and continue treatment;
- ointment with celandine - dry 7 plants, separate the leaves from the stems and chop, pour 1 cup of olive oil, leave in the cold for 14 days, after which the drug will become jelly-like, will melt in your hands. Lubricate the affected area with the substance every night;
- birch leaves, linden flower, parsley dry, chop, cook instead of tea and drink every day;
- Wash the lemon, chop it and pour 1 liter. boiling water, strain after a few hours, add honey, drink three times a day;
- combine honey, iodine, ethyl alcohol and glycerin in the same amount, insist 3-4 hours, lubricate the skin over the wrist with cotton wool 3 times a day;
- take 60 grams of cinquefoil root and elecampane, mix with 0, 5 liters. vodka, insist one day in a dark and cool place, strain, drink 25-30 drops three times a day 30 minutes before meals, you can also use it for rubbing.
Exercises for hip coxarthrosis
Specially selected exercises will help to significantly improve the condition with coxarthrosis, some will be suggested by a doctor. Before using them, you should consult your doctor, because the wrongly chosen complex and the presence of contraindications can harm your health even more.
For example, deforming arthrosis is dangerous to treat with physical activity - it is burdened with even more pain and tissue destruction.
Gymnastics is also prohibited when:
- worsening of the disease;
- obvious pain on movement;
- increased body temperature;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- menstruation;
- hernia;
- severe heart and lung disease.
It is believed that therapeutic exercises for coxarthrosis should be aimed at restoring muscles and ligaments, but not at loading an already weak joint, so no dynamic but static movements are observed. I am also glad that a set of exercises can be performed at any convenient time, without spending money and nerves on going to specialists, and given their effectiveness, it will simply be a crime not to use such a universal remedy.
Here are some exercises:
- lying on your back, raise the affected leg by 10-15 cm, freezing for 20-30 seconds, repeat for the other leg;
- perform the same movement, but quickly, holding your legs for only 1-2 seconds;
- to raise not a straight leg, but a leg bent at the knee at a right angle;
- lying on your stomach, tear your legs off the floor and hold for a few seconds, slowly spread to the sides, reconnect, lower to the floor;
- lying on your side, bend your lower leg and lift your upper leg and hold it at an angle of about 45 degrees, wait 30 seconds, return to the starting position, repeat for the other leg;
- perform the previous exercise, but at the same time turn the foot alternately outwards and inwards.
True, it is not recommended to practice only on the description of exercises and videos, it is better to discuss this issue with a doctor or even visit a rehabilitation specialist several times, because in case of another type of disease it is necessary to adjust the complex to avoid complications.
Nutrition
Since osteoarthritis largely depends on metabolism, it is important to adhere to a proper diet when treating the disease. It should be frequent, but not abundant. Excluded:
- salty foods;
- fatty soups, mayonnaise, oils, dairy products (sour cream, cream);
- preservatives;
- bakery products made from premium flour;
- smoked.
We should replace them with more suitable cartilage:
- Low-fat milk and dairy products, especially cheese, are very important to help with tissue regeneration and calcium absorption;
- lean fish and meat;
- beans, mushrooms, buckwheat, lentils rich in plant proteins;
- jelly meat, jelly fish, jelly, which contain collagen;
- carbohydrates from cereals;
- vegetables, fruits;
- complex carbohydrates (dried fruit, honey).
Drinking plenty of fluids is important for maintaining salt balance.
Proper nutrition helps to remove uric acid which is dangerous for the joints, alleviates inflammation, removes excess weight, edema, and thus reduces the load on the diseased area, and even restores cartilage tissue. The greatest effect can be achieved in phase 1 of the disease.
Prevention
If there are cases of the disease in the family or if osteoarthritis of the hip joint is already present and successfully treated, proper and regular prevention is important, which consists of the following points:
- proper nutrition, which contains all the vitamins and trace elements for normal tissue metabolism;
- weight control to avoid additional loads;
- Moderation of physical effort, ability to move in such a way as to avoid injuries and overexertion in diseased joints;
- Beware of hypothermia, as it can worsen. It is important to dress warmly, wrap the basin in cold weather, avoid sitting on cold surfaces and drafts;
- lead a healthy lifestyle, walk in the fresh air, gently strengthen your leg muscles.
Osteoarthritis is a very unpleasant disease that without proper treatment, by joining bones, ends in disability and wheelchair life. Therefore, at the first symptoms, consult a doctor for diagnosis and help. Timely and comprehensive treatment allows you to solve problems and live without pain and limitations.