Osteoarthritis of the hip joint - how the disease is manifested and treated

In the elderly, people often develop arthrosis of the hip joint or scientifically coxarthrosis. The disease is characterized by rapid development and impaired motor ability of the musculoskeletal system. This disease usually begins with changes in the articular cartilage.

Transformations are associated with thinning, breaking and fragmentation. This means that the tissue loses its normal functions and becomes dystrophic. This disease is also manifested by other changes in the tissues. In the bones there are sprouting and other pathological changes. According to physicians, sclerosis and development of cysts in the acetabulum and femur become an inevitable process.

There are primary and secondary types of arthrosis. The disease occurs against the background of inferior functioning of the hip joint, as well as, Perthes' disease, congenital hip dislocation, pathological necrotic changes in the head of the femur, inflammation of the transferred trauma, for example, bruises, fractures, dislocations, microtrauma.

Sometimes arthrosis of the hip arises not only from one side of the skeleton, but also from both sides. Also, in diagnosing arthrosis, covers both the hip and other joints and the spine. The main complaint of patients is pain.

Symptoms of arthrosis of the hip joint are a characteristic pain that becomes stronger and longer. The intensity of manifestation can be different and depend on the stage at which the dystrophic process is located.

Degrees of arthrosis

In the first stage of pain arise after physical exertion. Thus, arthrosis of the hip joint of the 1st degree is rarely diagnosed, because patients do not associate pain with any changes in the body. After all, after a rest they pass.

It's another matter when arthrosis of the hip joint of the 2nd degree arises. During this 2nd stage, the pains become more intense, they are thrown into the hip, groin and even arise at rest. After a long walk, a person feels in addition to pain and problems with movement.

These factors indicate that the function of the joint is impaired due to a decrease in muscle strength associated with the hip joint. When carrying out the roentgenogram, the bony growths on the edges of the acetabulum are clearly visible, which extend beyond the boundaries of the cartilaginous tissue.

Stage 3 arthrosis of the hip joint( coxarthrosis) is most pronounced. A man is suffering constant pain. When walking, there are obvious problems. Even with other movements, there are obvious limitations.

On radiographs by physicians, large bony growths from the side of the femoral head, the edges of the acetabulum are recorded. There is also a sharp decrease in the joint space. The neck of the femur also undergoes pathological irreversible changes.

Therapy for arthrosis of the hip joint

Modern medicine uses various methods of diagnosing the disease:

• electromyography,
• rheovasography,
• subgraph,
• radionuclide scanning.

Such a differentiated approach and analysis of the results allows the specialists to prescribe the treatment of arthrosis of the hip joint. First, doctors try to reduce the sufferings of the patient, and afterwards to influence the process that take place in the tissues.

At 1 and 2 degrees of illness the patient can be treated out-patient. With arthrosis of the hip joint, the diet should be prescribed by the attending physician. This means that it is desirable to abandon fried foods, rich in cholesterol.
Another important point in the therapy of deforming arthrosis of the hip joint is a reduction in the load on the limb.

The patient should be at rest, avoiding physical exertion. At home use the prescribed funds, as well as a course of compresses with dimexidom. When a patient visits a clinic, physiotherapy is effective:

• electrophoresis of a solution of novocaine and other drugs,
• magnetotherapy,
• ultrasound therapy,
• laser therapy.

After the pain is reduced, massage the hip joint, and therapeutic gymnastics. Exercises help normalize muscle tone, restore motor function in the affected joint, strengthen the surrounding muscles. At gymnastics perform movements in the hip joint lying on the back, standing on a healthy leg, side.

Another type of treatment for arthrosis is joint traction and hydrokinetic therapy. These procedures help relax tight muscles, improve blood circulation in the limbs and increase diastasis between the articular surfaces of the joint. It is important to perform therapeutic gymnastics aimed at increasing the stability of the joint, since the periarticular muscles are strengthened.

After treatment in a hospital environment, patients are recommended to conduct maintenance therapy at home. Treatment includes exercises in therapeutic gymnastics, gluteus muscles and thighs, skiing, swimming. However, in no case should you subject your legs to prolonged static loads, that is, to engage in heavy physical work, sports and rhythmic gymnastics, figure skating, aerobics, wrestling, weightlifting.