What is this disease with such a complicated name - coxarthrosis? This disease is a deforming joint disease of the hip joint and is often also called osteoarthritis of the hip joint.
Coxarthrosis is currently the leader among diseases of the musculoskeletal system, which are degenerative-dystrophic in nature. There are many reasons that contribute to the occurrence of coxarthrosis and in connection with this, this disease has become widespread in all age groups.
Coxarthrosis refers to a non-inflammatory joint disease in which there are initially degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cartilage of the hip joint, which aligns the surfaces of the articular bones, and in later stages bone changes already occur. During such a gradual course of the disease with coxarthrosis, therefore, there is a violation of the normal functions of the affected hip joint, which ultimately leads to a violation of the functions of the musculoskeletal system of the sick person as a whole.
For the most part, hip arthropathy 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 its later stages, it will hardly be possible to do without surgery and only one thing can help prevent disability - the prosthetic joint affected by the coxarthrosis. Unfortunately, people with coxarthrosis, ignoring minor pain in the hip joint in the early stages of the disease, avoid going to the doctor and osteoarthritis of the hip joint, meanwhile, continues to progress day by day, gradually turning intoa more advanced form.
How does coxarthrosis develop?
Let's look at the mechanism of development of coxarthrosis. And let's start with the fact that the hip joint consists of two bones:
- the very end of the femur, similar to a ball.
- acetabulum, similar to a small billiard pocket, located in the pelvic part of the pelvis.
- special articular cartilage on the surface of both bones, which resembles a sponge-like substance and is necessary as a shock absorber, which is compressed during movement and straightened in its absence.
- as well as the ligaments that form the cavity of the hip joint itself and thus form the joint capsule.
In addition to the joint, there is muscle tissue, such as the femur, gluteus and other muscles, on the function of which the condition of the hip joint also depends.
During movement, when the articular cartilage is compressed, a certain fluid is "squeezed" by it into the joint, which is a kind of lubricant for the bones that are articulated to the joint. Also, the articular cartilage itself, in addition, performs the function of even distribution of loads on the surface of the joint, being an excellent shock absorber during movements.
The very appearance of the disease with coxarthrosis is mainly due to the fact that the nutrition of the cartilage of the hip joint is disturbed. The cartilage becomes thinner and then disappears in some places. If no steps are taken to stop this process, then in those places where the cartilage atrophy described above occurs, the bone itself will develop immediately, thus trying to "fill" the gap that results in the joint cavity. As a result of such changes in the bones, osteophytes begin to appear, ie the "pins" in the bone. These deformities, in turn, lead to a violation of the uniformity of the bones articulated at the hip joint and the consequent "friction" of the remaining healthy areas of articular cartilage.
Causes of osteoarthritis of the hip joint
The causes of coxarthrosis, from which it occurs, can be divided into primary, with unclear etiology and secondary, as a result of other diseases, for example, such as:
- hip dislocation, which is congenital.
- hip dysplasia;
- aseptic necrosis of the femoral head itself.
- 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 in both hip joints at the same time, it is very likely to be argued that bilateral coxarthrosis is not uncommon. Although with primary coxarthrosis, the knee joint or spine is often affected.
Symptoms of coxarthrosis
The first symptoms of coxarthrosis depend directly on the degree of damage to the hip joint, as well as on the stage of development of this disease and the main ones are:
- pain that manifests itself during movement, in the hip joint and disappears at rest.
- emerging lameness;
- stiffness that occurred in the hip joint.
- downward progress in the range of motion of the hip.
- weakness of the femoral muscles and a noticeable reduction in their volume.
Separately, we examine the symptoms of coxarthrosis, depending on the degree of disease with this disease:
- Symptoms of 1st degree coxarthrosis: in the hip joint there are pains of moderate character and only after the joint has been subjected to intense loading for a long time. After the load is removed and rested, this syndrome is completely stopped. With the first degree of coxarthritis symptoms, gait remains normal and the range of motion of the joint does not change.
- Symptoms of 2nd degree coxarthrosis: the pain in the hip joint is already becoming more intense than in the first degree, but in addition, they are projected in the groin. In view of the developing muscle atrophy, the knee also begins to ache and very often more than the hip joint itself. Sometimes, with symptoms of second-degree coxarthrosis, the pain begins to appear even at rest, and after the load is transferred to the affected joint, a fairly long rest is already required to relieve it. Lameness begins to appear when you run or walk for a long time. At the same time, the strength of the thigh muscles is rather reduced and the range of motion of the joint is also underestimated.
- Symptoms of 3rd degree coxarthrosis: persistent pain in the hip joint, which does not subside even after extremely long rest or continuous rest, even at night. The pain has already affected the whole leg. Against the background of pain, the patient exhibits insomnia and various sleep disorders. Severe atrophy of the muscles of the thigh, buttocks and tibia is observed, while the motor volume of the joint is almost minimal. When walking, a patient is forced to resort to assistive devices, such as a cane, to move.
If such an arthropathy of the hip joint develops only in the hip joint of one leg, then the weakened femoral muscles stimulate the development of lateral displacement of the pelvis, resulting in the length of the leg with the joint affected by coxarthrosis is reduced.
Diagnosis of coxarthrosis
In the diagnosis of coxarthrosis, the symptoms of coxarthrosis described above are necessarily taken into account in conjunction with the data obtained from a 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 served as a catalyst for the development of coxarthrosis. X-rays provide an excellent opportunity to identify changes that have specifically caused injury to the hip joint, which is directly related to the mechanism of coxarthrosis development.
In addition to the diagnostic methods already mentioned, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging techniques can also be used, providing the opportunity for a thorough detailed study of the developing pathology, such as, for example, the structure of bone tissue, the deformation of which is its companion. disease. In the case of MRI, this method still allows the evaluation of the pathological disorders of the soft tissues surrounding the joint affected by the coxarthrosis.
Treatment of coxarthrosis
The choice of treatment for coxarthrosis depends directly on the symptoms of coxarthrosis and its stage. Usually, with the first and second degree of coxarthrosis, traditional conservative drug treatment is performed, which consists of taking chondroprotectors, vasodilators and, if appropriate, muscle relaxants. During the period when the coxarthrosis is particularly acute, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are also used. It should be borne in mind that such treatment should be performed by a specialist, as self-medication, unlike traditional medicine, can have an extremely negative effect on the patient's internal organs and completely suppress the ability to repair vitreous cartilage.
Also, in case of coxarthrosis, various physiotherapy surgeries and exercise therapy are prescribed. Particularly effective, in combination with the traditional drug treatment of coxarthrosis, is the use of magnetotherapy in the treatment of the joint using a special device.
The impact on the body of a patient with diet coxarthrosis does not have an immediate therapeutic effect, but it is recommended in obese people to reduce body weight, as it makes it possible to reduce the load on the affected joint, thus relieving the acute symptoms of coxarthrosis.
With regard to the third degree of coxarthrosis, the symptoms of which are the most painful, the treatment, as such, is carried out only through surgery, for example, hip arthroplasty. Statistics show that after surgery, the complete restoration of the functions of one limb with deforming arthropathy of the hip joint is achieved in 95% of cases, which then makes it possible to lead a fairly active lifestyle.
The lifespan of such a prosthesis is about 15-20 years, but at the end of its life, a second operation is necessary to replace the worn stent.
Note,is important! Do not make the diagnosis!If symptoms of coxarthrosis occur, you should consult an orthopedic doctor, as only a qualified specialist can make a correct diagnosis and prescribe the optimal treatment.
Prevention of coxarthrosis
Coxarthrosis can be prevented if coxarthrosis is prevented:
- mandatory and timely treatment of inflammatory diseases of the joints.
- timely treatment of joint dysplasia.
- mandatory proper and reasonable physical activity, especially weight training, which must be performed correctly.
- Mandatory control of your body weight, keeping it in the rule.
- prevention of joint injury.