Arthrosis of the hip joint should be treated comprehensively, and it helps to eliminate the provoking factors of the disease, as well as to relieve pain and inflammation. Thus, it is possible to eliminate the unpleasant symptoms associated with the pain and dysfunction of the limb associated with this disease. Therefore, the diagnosis of this pathology is important and consists of an X-ray examination in several projections.
Causes and degrees of flow
Factors provoking the development of arthritis are the following phenomena:
- hereditary predisposition;
- weakness of the musculo-articular ligament;
- anomalies in the structure of the skeleton;
- history of trauma;
- inflammation;
- autoimmune processes;
- purulent infections;
- heavy physical work or sports;
- advanced age.
The course of the pathological process has 3 stages. Thus, 1st degree arthrosis of the hip joint is characterized by the appearance of pain only after physical exertion, and the disease has no other symptoms. The next stage is characterized by constant pain, including at rest. X-rays show narrowing of the joint space. Grades 1 and 2 are reversible with proper and timely treatment, but in the absence of therapy, they quickly develop into a more serious form. With further progression of arthrosis, the pain becomes unbearable and limits the mobility of the femur in the hip joint. The muscles of the lower limb atrophy and do not perform their functions. The detection of osteophyte growths is characteristic of the 3rd degree of severity of arthrosis of the hip joint.
Symptoms of pathology
The first symptom of the disease is severe pain in the thigh during movement.
Osteoarthritis of the hip joint is characterized by the following manifestations:
- physical activity-induced pain syndrome;
- fever, while the body temperature ranges from normal to subfebrile;
- atrophy of the musculo-ligamentous ligament;
- lameness;
- limb deformity associated with massive edema and osteophyte formation;
- change in limb length;
- squeaking sounds when moving the TBS.
Deforming arthrosis develops more often in the region of the right than the left hip joint.
Signs are expressed depending on the stage of the process. Often, the patient's entire leg hurts completely, which is associated with damage or inflammation of the nerve endings passing near the joint. At the same time, arthrosis of the hip joint of the 2nd degree is characterized by the appearance of pain at rest. And the movements are also stiff, especially in the morning. This is caused by the accumulation of intra-articular secretions around the neck and head.
The hyaline cartilage atrophies, so the joint space narrows significantly, which causes a characteristic cracking sound during movement and a shortening of the length of the limb. In this case, the femur is destroyed and the density of its tissues is lost. Osteopathy is progressive and involves tissue trophic disorders. The development of chronic inflammation is a provoking factor in the destruction of the hip joint. Therefore, foci of abnormal ossification or osteophytes appear. This is typical of the 2 3, sometimes the first stage of the course of the disease.
How is the diagnosis made?
The traumatologist can determine arthrosis of the hip joint during an external examination and questioning the course of the patient's illness. X-rays are used to confirm the diagnosis. In the picture, arthritis looks like sealing and deformation of the pelvic ends of the thigh. This significantly increases the size of the head. An important symptom of the disease is the formation of osteophytes, which can also be easily detected with this method.
What is dangerous?
The hip joint is one of the components of the human musculoskeletal system. Therefore, the violation of its functions causes the immobilization of the patient and causes the development of disability over time. In addition, the inflammation spreads to the pelvic bones, causing dysfunction of urination and defecation. It is possible to damage the nerve endings passing near the femoral head, which causes a violation of the tactile sensitivity of the limb.
The progression of the disease leads to the development of cartilage defects, its wear and tear. Cartilage particles enter the joint cavity and cause aseptic or "sterile" inflammation, which occurs without the involvement of pathogens.
Furthermore, the inflammatory process spreads to the bone tissue, which causes aseptic necrosis (necrosis) in the area of the acetabulum and femoral head. Bone growths are formed - osteophytes - which damage the surrounding tissues, aggravate the inflammatory process and cause intense pain.
In the advanced stage of the disease, there are signs of periarthritis, when the periarticular soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, nerves, blood vessels) are affected. The final result of the disease is the complete destruction of the joint, which leads to immobilization - ankylosis of the hip joint.
Treatment of arthrosis of the hip joint
The therapy of joint diseases should be aimed at eliminating the cause of the process. It must be treated with drugs, and if necessary, surgical intervention is resorted to. The complex effect also includes folk remedies in the form of herbs, which should complement the main therapy. When the aggravation of the disease has been overcome, physiotherapy is used. They also help when an incipient pathological process is present. Prevention of osteoarthritis lies in proper nutrition. The diet should limit foods rich in salt.
In case of significant severity of the lesion, replacement of the joint is recommended, including the prosthesis of the pelvic section of the joint.
Preparations
Conservative treatment can remove the unpleasant symptoms caused by hip arthrosis in the early stages of development. It helps to anesthetize the soft tissues of the thigh and pelvis, as well as to remove some other unpleasant manifestations. For this purpose, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs based on Diclofenac or Ibuprofen are used. They must be administered intramuscularly, taken orally, or applied to the affected area. Muscle relaxants are also used to reduce muscle spasm in the affected limb. Drug treatment consists of long-term treatment with chondroprotectors and vitamin complexes.
Physiotherapy
It is possible to cure arthrosis of the hip joint in the initial stages of the course with the help of physiotherapy. It can also be used after long-term drug exposure and the elimination of signs of the inflammatory process. This type of intervention can help reduce muscle spasm and restore the functional activity of the joint.
If the patient has the initial stage of the pathology, then the following type of physiotherapy will be useful:
- magnetotherapy;
- electrophoresis;
- paraffin applications;
- sludge treatment;
- baths with essential oils.
Folk remedies
Treatment of arthrosis of the hip joint with non-traditional methods involves the use of various tools. You can also use crushed mint and aloe leaves for this purpose with the addition of petroleum jelly for viscosity and better application. Celandine soaked in olive oil for 2 weeks will be useful. Horseradish poultices or healing mud packs are also used.
In most cases, traditional methods of treating rheumatic pathology include the use of various medicinal ointments, creams and gels as local therapy. Traditional medicine also uses medicines in the form of ointments. Natural herbs are usually used for their preparation.
Home treatment of arthrosis with folk remedies cannot completely get rid of the disease, but it is quite possible to reduce clinical symptoms, such as pain, swelling and inflammation.
Exercise therapy and massage
Mild arthrosis of the hip joint is treated with this type of exposure. Manual therapy is recommended after complete elimination of inflammation and pain. The massage should be performed by a doctor after reviewing the patient's medical history. More often, 15 massage treatments are prescribed. Home treatment involves the use of special gymnastic exercises that help restore the joint's full functional activity.
Severe arthrosis is not treated with massage and exercise therapy.
Prevention
Adequate physical activity helps to prevent arthrosis of the hip joint, but physical activity causes rapid wear and tear of the cartilage tissue, so it is not recommended especially for those who are prone to joint diseases. Untreated hip dislocation or other limb injuries are also dangerous. Adequate nutrition with sufficient vitamin and mineral complex intake is also important.