Arthrosis of the hip joint is a pathology that occupies a leading position among various degenerative-dystrophic problems of the musculoskeletal system. There are many reasons that provoke this disease, therefore different age groups of people are at risk. It should be noted, however, that most often defeat of the hip joint occurs in middle-aged and elderly people.
Grade 1 hip osteoarthritis is successfully treated with medication without surgery. Unfortunately, patients are not in a hurry to consult a doctor immediately and mistakenly believe that the painful sensations disappear by themselves. Meanwhile, the pathological process has already started and is progressing more and more every day. Distinction between primary osteoarthritis of the hip joints, which has an unclear etiology, and secondary due to such diseases:
- Perthes disease;
- congenital dislocation;
- abnormal tissue development in the hip joint
- aseptic necrosis of the femur;
- inflammatory processes
- hip fracture.
One or two hip joints may be affected. Bilateral osteoarthritis is not uncommon, and with a unilateral pathological process can cover the spine and knee joint.
Causes of osteoarthritis of the hip joint
- deterioration of arterial blood flow and its venous outflow, as a result of the tissues not being adequately nourished, there is an accumulation of underoxidized metabolic products responsible for the activation of enzymes;
- mechanical factors that cause joint overload, such as overweight or professional sports;
- biochemical changes in cartilage, hormonal disorders, metabolic disorders;
- Traumatic dislocations, cervical and pelvic fractures
- necrosis of tissue in the head of the hip bone
- arthritis, infectious processes;
- pathological changes in the spine (kyphosis, scoliosis) and flat feet;
- congenital dislocation of the femur; Congenital pathologies of common development
- sedentary lifestyle
- hereditary disposition of the body (skeletal weakness, metabolic disorders, structural features of cartilage tissue).
Symptoms of Arthritis of the Hip Joint
General symptoms of this pathological process are distinguished, but it should be understood that they can vary in different stages of osteoarthritis development. The most important signs on the hip joints are:
- pain in the groin, hip, joints and knees that does not subside even in a calm state
- stiffness and stiffness;
- haltende;
- femoral muscle atrophy;
- the affected limb becomes noticeably shorter.
The main symptom of arthritis of the hip joints is pain, its intensity and duration as well as its nature and localization depend entirely on the characteristics of the pathological process. It is best to start treatment at the beginning of the disease when the discomfort is not yet very pronounced. If appropriate measures are not taken in time, the pain begins to intensify, with the result that the mobility of the affected limb will be markedly limited.
Grade 2 hip osteoarthritis is characterized by intense pain radiating to the groin and thigh. In this case, the function of the joint is disturbed, lameness is displayed, internal movement and abduction of the hip to the side is limited. The abductor and extensor muscles lose their strength, bone growth becomes noticeable on the X-ray, which can protrude sharply. The head of the femur is deformed, its contour is distorted, and the volume increases. In addition, cysts can form in the most stressed areas of the joint.
At stage 3 in the development of osteoarthritis, pain becomes permanent and may even bother you at night. It gets so hard to walk that you have to use a special stick. In the hip joint, movements are limited, the muscles in the buttocks, the affected thigh and lower leg atrophy, and the leg are shortened. All this leads to a change in gait and an increase in the load on the affected joint. As a result of an increase in bone growth, the joint space disappears and the joint grows together and finally loses its mobility.
Treatment of hip arthritis
If the disease is detected at an early stage, conservative treatment methods are preferred using different drugs. The patient is prescribed primarily anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs, which perfectly relieve the swelling and inflammation on which the pain syndrome falls. With muscle spasms, muscle relaxants are prescribed whose action aims to stimulate blood circulation and relieve spasms. In addition, chondroprotectors for osteoarthritis are often used - drugs that allow the restoration of thin cartilage tissue.
Do not forget about therapeutic massage and physiotherapy methods, as the effectiveness of such procedures is very high. Quite often, they try to treat the affected joints with various compresses, lotions and ointments prepared according to folk recipes, but all these remedies may not have the proper therapeutic effect. With their help, you can only temporarily relieve pain and muscle spasms. Before treating osteoarthritis of the hip joint, it is imperative to consult a doctor, as independent use of any medication can only aggravate an already complex condition.
Gymnastics for arthritis of the hip joint
Gymnastics plays an important role in the treatment of the disease. Specially selected exercises for osteoarthritis of the hip joint prevent it from growing together and maintain mobility. When developing a sore joint in this way, be very careful not to inflict further harm on yourself. Before performing exercise therapy and immediately after them, it is recommended to perform muscle massage in the thigh area and the affected joint to prevent discomfort.
Water is an excellent helper for treating osteoarthritis, so it is helpful for the patient to swim in a pool, river or ocean. In addition, a warm bath, where you can perform smooth and slow movements of your legs, helps relieve pain and relieve muscle tension. It is important not to overload the diseased joint and to be as calm as possible.