Osteoarthritis of the hip joint is a pathology that occupies a prominent place among several degenerative-dystrophic problems of the musculoskeletal system. There are many reasons for this disease, therefore different age groups of people are at risk. However, it should be borne in mind that most of the time the defeat of the hip joint occurs in middle-aged and elderly people.
Grade 1 osteoarthritis of the hip joint is successfully treated with medications without surgery. However, unfortunately, patients are not in a hurry to immediately consult a doctor, mistakenly believing that the painful sensations will disappear on their own. Meanwhile, the pathological process has already begun and progresses more and more every day. Distinguish between primary osteoarthritis of the hip joints, which has an unclear etiology, and secondary, resulting from such diseases:
- Perthes disease;
- congenital dislocation;
- abnormal development of tissue in the hip joint;
- aseptic necrosis of the femur;
- inflammatory processes;
- hip fractures.
One or two hip joints may be affected. Bilateral osteoarthritis is not uncommon, and with a unilateral disease process it can cover the spine and the knee joint.
Causes of osteoarthritis of the hip joint
- deterioration of arterial blood flow and its venous outflow, as a result of which the tissues are insufficiently nourished, there is an accumulation of poorly oxidized metabolic products, which are responsible for the activation of enzymes;
- mechanical factors causing joint overload, for example, overweight or professional sports;
- biochemical changes in cartilage, hormonal alterations, metabolic disorders;
- traumatic dislocations, cervical and pelvic fractures;
- necrosis of the tissues of the head of the hip bones;
- inflammation of the joints, infectious processes;
- pathological changes in the spine (kyphosis, scoliosis) and flat feet;
- congenital dislocation of the femur;
- congenital pathologies of joint development;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- hereditary predisposition of the body (skeletal weakness, metabolic disorders, structural features of cartilaginous tissues).
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the hip joint
The general symptoms of this pathological process are distinguished, however, it should be understood that they may differ at different stages of the development of osteoarthritis. The main signs of damage to the hip joint are:
- pain in the groin, hip, joint and knee that does not go away even at rest;
- stiffness and rigidity;
- limping;
- atrophy of the femoral muscle;
- the affected member becomes noticeably shorter.
The main symptom of osteoarthritis of the hip joints is pain, intensity and duration, as well as the nature and location of which depends entirely on the characteristics of the pathological process. It is better to start treatment at the beginning of the disease, when the discomfort is not yet very pronounced. If proper measures are not taken in time, the pain will begin to intensify, as a result of which the mobility of the affected limb will be significantly limited.
Grade 2 osteoarthritis of the hip is characterized by severe pain radiating to the groin and thigh. In this case, the functioning of the joint is interrupted, lameness appears, internal movement and abduction of the hip to one side are limited. The abductor and extensor muscles lose their strength, bony growths become visible on the X-ray, which can stand out strongly. The head of the femoral bone is deformed, its contour is distorted, and the volume increases. Also, cysts can form in the most stressed areas of the joint.
In stage 3 of the development of osteoarthritis, the pain becomes permanent and may even bother you at night. It becomes so difficult to walk that you have to use a special cane. At the hip joint, movement is limited, the muscles of the buttocks, affected thigh, and lower leg atrophy, and the leg shortens. All of this leads to a change in gait and an increased load on the affected joint. As a result of an increase in bone growths, the joint space disappears and the joint grows together, eventually losing its mobility.
Treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip joint
If the disease is detected at an early stage, preference is given to conservative treatment methods, using various drugs. The patient is mainly prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which perfectly relieve swelling and inflammation, due to which the pain syndrome subsides. With muscle spasms, muscle relaxants are prescribed, the action of which is aimed at stimulating blood circulation and relieving spasms. Also, for osteoarthritis, chondroprotectors are often used, drugs that allow the restoration of thinned cartilage tissue.
Do not forget about the therapeutic methods of massage and physiotherapy, since the effectiveness of such procedures is very high. Most often, they try to treat the affected joints with various compresses, lotions and ointments prepared according to folk recipes, but all these remedies cannot have the proper therapeutic effect. With its help, you can only temporarily relieve pain and muscle spasms. Before treating osteoarthritis of the hip joint, it is imperative to consult a doctor, since independent use of one or another drug can only worsen an already complex condition.
Gymnastics for osteoarthritis of the hip joint
Gymnastics plays an important role in treating the disease. Exercises specially selected for osteoarthritis of the hip joint prevent them from growing together and maintain mobility. When you develop a sore joint in this way, you must be very careful not to inflict additional injuries. Before performing physiotherapy exercises and immediately after them, it is recommended to perform a muscle massage in the thigh area and the affected joint in order to avoid the appearance of discomfort.
Water is an excellent helper in the treatment of osteoarthritis, making it useful for the patient to swim in a pool, river or sea. In addition, a warm bath, in which you can make gentle and slow movements of your legs, will help to relieve pain and relieve muscle tension. It is important not to overload the sore joint and to rest as much as possible.