Coxarthrosis (osteoarthritis of the hip joint) is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the hip joints that is associated with damage to articular cartilage, bone tissue, and periarticular structures and leads to permanent loss of joint function.
Arthrosis of the hip joints is one of the most severe, money-assisted-dystrophic pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. The disease quickly leads to a decrease in physical activity, a change in the nature of human movement, often - the impossibility of independent movement and disability. Decades earlier, coxarthrosis was classified as a “disease of old age, ” but since the beginning of this century, a high prevalence has been recorded among young and middle-aged patients for a variety of reasons.
Statistics
Osteoarthritis is the most common pathology of the musculoskeletal system and occurs in 70% of adults; coxarthrosis - in 25% of patients with an orthopedic profile. Up to 30% of patients diagnosed with coxarthrosis are disabled, have a disability, and require joint replacement surgery.
The disease occurs from the age of 20-25 years, the average age of onset of symptoms is 37-39 years, and is associated with age, which is associated with concomitant pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, bone loss, etc. The prevalence of coxarthrosis in middle-aged patients is 11%, and in people over 85 years - 35%. In children and adolescents, coxarthrosis is a consequence of congenital dysplasia of the joints, which is observed in 1% of newborns.
Reasons for improvement
The causes of hip arthrosis have different meanings depending on the age and general health of each patient:
- congenital abnormality of the normal anatomical shape of the joints - deformity of the femoral neck, congenital displacement of the hip; deformity of the femoral head
- due to dystrophic (age-related) processes of the joint;
- traumatic injuries - fractures, displacements, non-physiological, including sports, strains the joints;
- infectious and inflammatory diseases - tuberculosis, osteomyelitis and others;
- rheumatoid arthritis and other systemic diseases (allergic, metabolic);
- If the exact cause of the disease has not been determined and has developed on its own, the term "idiopathic coxarthrosis" is used.
Symptoms of hip coxarthrosis
Pain is the main symptom. The addition of their severity and other manifestations of coxarthrosis depends on many factors, especially weight, lifestyle, age. In the initial stage, patients experience moderate, intermittent pain in the hip joints, which occurs mainly during physical exertion and resolves on its own. Then the pain begins at low loads, does not go away at rest, "shoots" in the knee joint. The mobility of the joint or both joints is limited.
Patients are forced to limit physical activity, a lameness appears, "duck walking". In the final stage, excruciating constant pain can be observed, the movement of the hip joints is sharply restricted, walking is only possible with a cane or crutch, patients need help around the clock, they have limited mobility.
Development
As the disease progresses, the hip joint gradually collapses and completely loses its function.
The articular cartilage becomes thinner and the joint space narrows slightly. The bone tissue under the cartilage becomes denser. At this stage, the pain appears after physical exertion.
In the second stage, cartilage destruction progresses. Marginal osteophytes appear - bone growths. The narrowing of the common space is advancing. Pain occurs while walking, limiting joint mobility (contracture).
In the last stage of coxarthrosis, bone growth is extensive, femoral flattening and subluxation occurs, and joint space virtually disappears. Constant severe pain, joint mobility significantly limited.
Coxarthrosis Diagnosis
If you experience pain in the lumbar region, restriction of joint mobility and other symptoms listed above may occur with a therapist, but the lead physician diagnosing and treating hip arthrosis is a specialist orthopedic traumatologist.
The main method of diagnosing coxarthrosis is radiography. This is an informative method that allows an accurate assessment of the structural changes in the affected joints. Due to its cost-effectiveness and affordability, common radiography is still very widely used. X-ray computed tomography is a more informative (but more expensive) method. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the joints is also used. For the detection of coxarthrosis in the pre-X-ray stage (when there is no change in the X-rays) as well as for differential diagnosis.
Treatment of hip coxarthrosis
In the early stages of coxarthrosis, with a favorable course of the disease, conservative methods can be used with physiotherapy techniques, including kinesiotherapy, massage and physiotherapy, especially water and mud therapy, a physiotherapy complex. Among the well-proven physiotherapy techniques, magnetotherapy can also be distinguished.
Magnetic therapy for coxarthrosis is used for a variety of purposes. Under the influence of the body's magnetic field, regeneration processes are activated, including bone tissue, and blood circulation is improved. The latter point is particularly important because osteoarthritis does not have sufficient blood supply to the joints, so there is a lack of nutrients to maintain the normal condition of cartilage and bone tissue, and this can aggravate pathological changes in the joint. Improving blood circulation in the hip joints promotes the flow of essential nutrients into the joints, activating metabolism in bone and cartilage tissues, which is the basis for the positive effect of magnetotherapy in coxarthrosis.
Due to the enhancement of metabolic processes and the release of certain biologically active substances, the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of magnetotherapy can also be observed.
Diet therapy is recommended to normalize metabolism and reduce weight. Along with a rational diet, it is possible to use complementary drugs (drugs and biologically active pharmaceutical additives) that affect the metabolic and healing processes of the musculoskeletal system - glucosamine and chondroitin (chondroprotectors), minerals and vitamins, based on standardized plant extracts.
Anesthetic and anti-inflammatory drugs, namely non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, GCS, muscle relaxants, and some are used at all stages of coxarthrosis to relieve pain and inflammation. Their use should be strictly dosed, under the supervision and prescription of a physician.
Conservative treatment or surgery is recommended during the second or third stage of the disease, depending on the patient's symptoms and condition. Various surgical methods are currently used, the best results (complete restoration of joint functions and human mobility) can be achieved with complete arthroplasty - replacement of the hip joint.
Medication, diet therapy and lifestyle changes, physiotherapy and treatment are also recommended, both for surgeries and with a conservative approach. Physiotherapy techniques for complex treatment can reduce the amount of medication and load on the body, contribute to faster recovery after surgery, and improve the overall condition of the patient. In particular, magnetotherapy shows good efficacy and tolerance even in debilitated elderly patients and in patients with chronic diseases of the nervous system and cardiovascular system.
Prevention of hip arthrosis
Early detection of coxarthrosis at an early stage is very important as a preventative measure. If you experience symptoms (pain, limited mobility) in the hip area, you should see a doctor - you can see a therapist first and then an orthopedic surgeon. The therapist may prescribe initial pain relief, recommend chondroprotectors, and the orthopedist may prescribe special treatment.
Lack of overweight and normal physical activity, correction of working conditions and lifestyle in general, and timely treatment of diseases that can lead to the development of coxarthrosis (inflammatory, joint infectious diseases, congenital anatomical defects of the joints, degenerative symptoms)dystrophic diseases).