It is necessary to treat arthrosis of the hip joint comprehensively, and to help is to eliminate the provoking factors of the disease and relieve pain and inflammation. Thus, it will be possible to eliminate the unpleasant symptoms associated with pain and dysfunction of the limb that occur with this disease. Therefore, the diagnosis of this pathology is important and consists in conducting an X-ray examination in several projections.
Causes and degrees of flux
The provoking factors causing the development of arthritis include the following phenomena:
- hereditary predisposition;
- weakness of the musculo-articular corset;
- abnormalities in the structure of the skeleton;
- history of trauma;
- inflammation;
- autoimmune processes;
- purulent infections;
- heavy physical work or sports;
- old age.
There are 3 stages of the course of the pathological process. Thus, arthrosis of the 1st degree of the hip joint is characterized by the appearance of pain only after physical exertion and there are no other symptoms of the disease. The next stage is characterized by constant pain, even at rest. The radiographic examination shows a narrowing of the joint space. 1 and 2 degrees with adequate and timely treatment are reversible conditions, but in the absence of therapy they quickly develop into a more severe form. With further progression of osteoarthritis, the pain becomes excruciating 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 typical for 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 when moving.
Arthrosis of the hip joint is characterized by the occurrence of such manifestations:
- pain syndrome provoked by physical activity;
- fever, while body temperature ranges from normal to subfebrile;
- atrophy of the musculo-ligament corset;
- lameness;
- limb deformity associated with massive edema and osteophyte formation;
- change in limb length;
- creaking sounds when moving the TBS.
Deforming arthrosis develops more often in the region of the right hip joint than in the left.
Signs are expressed depending on the stage of the process. Often the patient's entire leg hurts completely, which is associated with a violation 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 there is also stiffness in movement, especially in the morning. This is caused by the accumulation of intra-articular exudate around the neck and head.
The hyaline cartilage atrophies, then the joint space noticeably narrows, which causes the appearance of a characteristic crunch during movement, 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 in nature and is associated with trophic tissue disorders. The development of chronic inflammation is a provoking factor in the destruction of the hip joint. Thus, foci of pathological ossification or osteophytes appear. This is typical for 2 3, and sometimes the first degree of the course of the disease.
How is the diagnosis made?
A traumatologist can determine arthrosis of the hip joint during an external examination and question the course of the disease in a patient. X-ray examination is used to confirm the diagnosis. In the photo, arthritis looks like a seal 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 is also well detected with this method.
What is dangerous?
The hip joint is a component of the human musculoskeletal system. Thus, a violation of its functions leads to immobilization of the patient and over time causes the onset of disability. Also, the inflammation spreads to the pelvic bones, causing urination and defecation dysfunction. It is possible to violate the nerve endings passing near the femoral head, which will lead to a violation of the tactile sensitivity of the limb.
The progression of the disease leads to the formation of cartilage defects, its abrasion and cracking. Cartilage particles enter the joint cavity and cause aseptic or "sterile" inflammation that occurs without the participation of pathogens.
Further, the inflammatory process spreads to the bone tissue, causing aseptic necrosis (necrosis) of the areas of the acetabulum and femoral head. Bone growths are formed - osteophytes - which injure the surrounding tissues, exacerbate the inflammatory process and cause severe pain.
In the advanced stage of the disease, there are signs of periarthritis, when periarticular soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, nerves, vessels) are affected. The finale of the disease is the complete destruction of the joint, leading to its immobilization - ankylosis of the hip joint.
Treatment for osteoarthritis of the hip joint
Therapy of joint disease should be aimed at eliminating the cause of the process. It is necessary to be treated with the use of medications and, if necessary, resort to surgery. The complex effect also includes folk remedies in the form of herbal medicine, which should complement the main therapy. When the exacerbation of the disease has passed, physiotherapy is used. They will also help if there is an incipient disease process. The prevention of osteoarthritis lies in proper nutrition. The diet should limit foods high in salt.
With a significant severity of the injury, it is recommended to replace the joint, including the prosthesis of the pelvic section of the joint.
Preparations
Conservative treatment is able to 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 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 smeared on the affected area. Muscle relaxants are also used to reduce muscle spasm in the diseased limb. Drug treatment consists in prescribing a long course of 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 a long exposure to the drug and the elimination of signs of the inflammatory process. This type of surgery can help reduce muscle spasm and restore functional activity in the joint.
If the patient has an initial stage of pathology, it will be useful to perform the following types of physiotherapy:
- 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 means. For this purpose, chopped mint and aloe leaves can also be used with the addition of petroleum jelly to give viscosity and better application. Celandine, which has been soaked in olive oil for 2 weeks, will be useful. Horseradish root wraps or healing mud wraps are also used.
In most cases, traditional methods of treating rheumatic pathology include the use of various medicinal ointments, creams and gels as topical therapy. Traditional medicine also uses drugs in the form of ointments. Natural herbs are usually used for their preparation.
Treatment of arthrosis with folk remedies at home is not able to completely get rid of the disease, but it is quite possible to reduce clinical symptoms such as pain, swelling and inflammation.
Physical therapy and massage
Hip osteoarthritis with a mild course is treated with these types of exposures. Manual therapy is indicated after the complete elimination of inflammation and pain. The massage should be performed by a doctor after examining the patient's medical history. Most often, a course of 15 massage sessions is prescribed. Home treatment involves the use of special gymnastic exercises that will help restore full functional activity of the joint.
Severe osteoarthritis is not treated with massage and physical therapy.
Prevention
Sufficient physical activity will help prevent arthrosis of the hip joint, but physical activity causes rapid wear and tear of the cartilage tissue, therefore it is especially not recommended for people predisposed to the occurrence of joint diseases. An untreated hip dislocation or other limb injury is also dangerous. Proper nutrition with a sufficient supply of vitamins and mineral complexes is also important.