Coxarthrosis is a disease of the hip joints caused by changes in the structure of the tissues inside.The disease has another name - arthrosis of the hip joint or osteoarthritis.
Coxarthrosis is a complex degenerative disease caused by changes in the cartilage tissue of the joint.Cartilage tissue cannot be restored after the formation of the human skeleton, so any damage to it affects the condition of the tissue in the future.The condition of the cartilage, the joint fluid, which performs the function of lubricating the tissues, is also affected.Due to insufficient lubrication and increased friction, the articular cartilage becomes thinner and eventually wears out completely.The lack of cartilage causes an increase in the load on the surface of the bones, friction occurs between the bones, and this causes a change in the shape and position that causes the appearance of pain.
Most elderly people suffer from coxarthrosis, because at this time the functions of the cartilage tissue have been lost.
Types of coxarthrosis
Primary and secondary coxarthrosis are distinguished in medicine.
In the main case, the causes of the disease are not known.
The development of secondary coxarthrosis is affected by the following reasons:
- reception of various injuries and fractures;
- Congenital hip joint defects (congenital hip dislocation);
- The presence of inflammatory processes in the hip area;
- rheumatoid arthritis (connective tissue disease that destroys joint cartilage);
- aseptic necrosis of the femoral head (death of the femoral head).
Stages of coxarthrosis
In medical practice, coxarthrosis has 4 stages:
Stage 1
It is characterized by the appearance of periodic pain in the joint.Pain occurs when you start to move after a state of rest, but in the process of continuing vigorous activity.In a calm state, pain does not appear.Joint mobility is not devalued.X-ray shows small bone growths and a slight narrowing of the joint space.
Stage 2
Moderate physical activity, as well as the occurrence of pain at rest.The view of the mind during a long drive.The pain may appear in the knee or lower back.X-ray shows: in the shape of the femoral head, uneven bone contour, thickening of the bone neck, significant growth of bone tissue, narrowing of the joint space, 2-fold increased changes.
Stage 3
Constant pain occurs regardless of physical activity, both in an active and at rest state.Pain can cause insomnia.Due to limited joint mobility, a person is forced to walk with support.X-ray showed a significant increase in the tip of the bone neck and a decrease in its length compared to the norm, and reduced deformation of the femoral head.There is practically no shared space.Physical condition is severely limited.The patient may be recognized as disabled.
Stage 4
The patient experiences unbearable pain at rest.Any movement causes extreme pain, the patient cannot move with support (canes, cane).The only method of treating coxarthrosis is surgery.
Causes of coxarthrosis
The appearance of coxarthrosis is affected by many reasons, but the most important is blood circulation in the hip area.Due to improper blood circulation, the metabolism in the joints slows down and this leads to gradual atrophy of the leg muscles.
Other causes of coxarthrosis are:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- microtraumas that do not cause pain in the patient;
- endocrine disorders;
- changes in joint surfaces due to age;
- Increased load on the joints (most common in athletes);
- inflammatory and infectious processes in the joints;
- foot (flat feet) and spine (scoliosis) pathologies;
- due to obesity (raised to joint due to excess weight) and other reasons.
Taking into account the state of health of the whole organism, the exact causes of the disease were determined for a certain patient.
Symptoms of coxarthrosis
Cosarthrosis affects men and women after the age of 40.Women experience more painful symptoms.
Symptoms of coxarthrosis are:
- Pain in the hip joint (occurs from time to time and is painful in nature);
- uneven, uncertain gait (lose);
- joint venture;
- The mobility of the injured leg is limited (at the initial stage, heaviness and stiffness, fatigue and general malaise are felt);
- The appearance of atrophy of the thigh muscles (the volume and tone of the muscles changes, causing pain in the knee).
Diagnosis of coxarthrosis
To determine the diagnosis of coxarthrosis, it is necessary to undergo diagnostic procedures:
- examination of the patient by a specialist;
- Carrying out general and biochemical blood tests (allows to identify inflammatory processes and distinguish arthritis from arthritis);
- X-ray (used to detect damage and changes in bone tissue);
- Magnetic resonance imaging of the joint (reveals small changes in the cartilage tissue).
Treatment of coxarthrosis
Specialists use medical procedures and drugs to treat the disease.
Treatment methods for coxarthrosis include:
- therapeutic exercises and massage;
- Physiotherapy;
- ozone therapy;
- Cryotherapy;
- drug treatment;
- surgical treatment etc.
In special clinics, an individual treatment program for coxarthrosis is selected, taking into account odor, elective diseases and the stage of coarthrosis.An individual approach contributes to the patient's recovery as soon as possible.
Therapeutic gymnastics and massage
Gymnastics helps to strengthen muscles and improve blood circulation.Morning exercises not only wake up the body after sleep, but also raise synovial fluid from the lower parts of the joint.Synovial fluid lubricates the cartilage tissue with essential nutrients, making it resistant to stress throughout the day.
However, physical exercises for coxarthrosis should be chosen wisely.Very sudden and forceful movements can cause severe pain and joint injury.Swimming helps to strengthen the muscles, relieve stress on the joint, and it is recommended to go to the pool because it does not cause injury.
Massage for coxarthrosis is a very effective and safe method.It improves blood circulation, strengthens muscles, relieves painful spasms, swelling and muscle tension.During the massage of the hip joint, the muscles of the back and the back are relaxed, as the synovial fluid is distributed along the cartilage.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy combines various methods:
- Electrotherapy;
- Uhf therapy;
- ultrasound therapy;
- laser therapy;
- paraffin therapy, etc.
All these procedures are aimed at improving blood circulation, reducing spasms and inflammation, which is due to limited access to the hip joint.
Treatment with drugs
There are many drugs that perform different functions in the treatment of coxarthrosis:
- Topical medications(ointments, compresses, lotions).Under the influence of advertising, most patients think that treatment with various ointments and creams is the most effective way.However, this is a misconception because the therapeutic properties of such drugs cannot reach the hip joint due to its deep location.They only help to improve blood circulation and relieve spasms.The causes of kotojrosis are not eliminated, and the disease continues to gradually turn into a more complicated stage.
- Non-antique anti-inflammatory drugs.They are used to eliminate inflammatory processes, relieve swelling and pain.As a result of long-term use of non-steroid drugs, side effects appear to adversely affect the internal organs (gastritis).These drugs do not restore the cartilage tissue necessary for normal joint function.
- Muscle streamers(muscle relaxants).Improve blood circulation and relieve muscle tension around the joint.The effect of drugs is temporary, joint functions are not restored.
- Hormonal steroid drugs.Intra-articular hormonal injections help in elective diseases, for example, in the case of inflammation of the femoral tendons.They have side effects and a short-term therapeutic effect.
- Vasodilators.They are used to relax the smooth muscles of blood vessels, expand the lumen between them, relieve pain in small vessels and relieve night pain.Vasodilators also improve articular circulation and help deliver nutrients needed by cartilage tissue.When used correctly, vasodilator drugs have a significant therapeutic effect.However, the effectiveness of the treatment affects the individual tolerance of the drugs.
- Chondroprotectors(drugs that regenerate cartilage).They are the most effective modern drugs, because they affect the regeneration of cartilage tissue and feed it with the necessary substances.With the regular use of Chedroprotectors, it is possible to stop the development of coxarthrosis.Over time, a positive result is visible, and after it is finished, the process of cartilage regeneration will continue.
Surgical treatment of coxarthrosis
Surgical intervention is taken in case of significant destruction of the cartilage tissue, the impossibility of its restoration and inactivation of the joints.In some cases, surgery is the only way to restore a person's ability to walk without pain.
Endoprosthetics is an operation to remove the affected joint and replace it with an artificial analogue, an endoprosthesis.The shape of the endoprosthesis is similar to the real middle, it performs all the functions of the joint and allows walking, working, etc.It can withstand heavy loads.
Endoprosthesis service life
Like anything, an endoprosthesis has its own service life.Endoprosthesis wear depends on load and mobility.Excess weight adds a lot of weight, and the service life of the prosthesis is about 10 years.With moderate load and mobility, the endoprosthesis will last about 15 years.The service life is 20-25 years, but their main drawback is their high price, and there are models of prostheses.
After wear of the endoprosthesis, a second operation is necessary to replace it.However, replacement of the prosthesis is complicated by the thinning of the hip bone over time and the problem of fitting the prosthesis.Therefore, to prevent repeated endoprosthetics, it is necessary to use conservative treatment methods as long as possible.
It is necessary to note the risks of hip replacement - the number of deaths after the operation is 1-2%.
Rehabilitation after endoprosthetics
Joint replacement surgery is quite complex and it will take time to restore the lost mobility.The recovery period includes methods that strengthen the body: massage, gymnastics and breathing exercises.The volume and complexity of the loads should be gradually increased so that the body gets used to all the changes.
Eating healthy also speeds up the healing process.It is recommended to include foods rich in phosphorus and phospholipids in the diet, as their properties contribute to the regeneration of cartilage tissue.
The rehabilitation period lasts about 6 months.The patient is in the hospital under observation for 5-10 days.Then a set of rehabilitation measures aimed at strengthening the hip muscles is carried out.First, the patient will have to walk in a wheelchair, then with a cane, and finally without any support.
At the end of the rehabilitation period, the patient regains the ability to work and the joy of easy walking!
Prevention of coxarthrosis
To prevent coxarthrosis, the following is necessary:
- An active lifestyle (do morning exercises, take short walks);
- Do not play sports;
- Eat a balanced diet, as this helps prevent weight gain, which puts extra stress on the joints;
- After 40 years, the course of chondroprotectors once in a few 1-2 years (to those related to coxarthrosis or joint injuries) once in a while (a family tendency).