The hip joint is multi-axis and performs movements in different planes, providing mobility of the body. Its structure is quite complex and consists of two surfaces covered with cartilaginous tissue, enclosed in a strong connective tissue capsule. The articular surfaces, one of which is located on the femoral head, and the second on the outside of the pelvic bone synostosis , do not fit tightly together, and the space between them is moistened with synovial fluid. It reduces friction and provides nutrition to the cartilaginous hyaline tissue, since the structure of the bone and its apophyses does not imply the possibility of adequate blood supply.
Outside of the joint capsule, the hip joint is strengthened by ligaments. Among them there is an iliac-femoral ligament, which provides constant maintenance of the body in a straight position. It is the strongest and largest in the body, as its function is associated with a huge load. Also, three more types of ligaments that support the femur with the remaining regional bone structures in a certain position depart from the ilium .
The structure of the pathology of the hip joint
The hip joint, due to its functions and high volume of movement, is the organ that is often affected and malfunctions. At the same time, it is customary to classify the spectrum of diseases into fairly frequent traumatic injuries, infectious and age-related pathologies. Various dislocations, fractures of the hip at his neck, as well as sprains of the joint capsule can be corrected, however, it is very important to consult specialists quickly. Sometimes, both the safety of mobility and the absence of a cosmetic defect in the future depend on this. Infectious pathologies include rheumatism. With it, the hip joint really hurts, but the pain syndrome sometimes migrates. The cartilage tissue is not so much affected as it swells, and the synovial membrane synthesizes much more fluid than is required by the functions. Since the capsule cannot adequately stretch, this is manifested by severe pain, which becomes unbearable even when the sheet is touched.
Age-related pathologies affect the hip joint irreversibly, as this is a manifestation of the destructive process. Cartilages experience dystrophy, become thinner, reducing the range of motion. Also, the heads of the femurs are involved in the destruction process, which is accompanied by pain. It is worth saying that for women in the postmenopausal period, this pathology is very characteristic, although it is not the hip joint that is always affected.
Rare pathologies include tuberculous lesions and tumors of the apophyses of the femur. They are destructive and irreversible, as they are associated with the destruction of not only cartilage, which under normal conditions quickly regenerate, but also bones. As a rule, in isolation, one by one, the knee, ankle, and hip joint are affected. The treatment of the disease is radical. Since it is difficult to sanitize the joint cavity with tuberculosis, it is removed along with the cartilaginous surfaces with subsequent prosthetics. With oncopathology, the issue of joint resection becomes a key one, since the main goal of treatment is to prevent osteosarcoma metastasis to the lungs, liver and kidneys. At the same time, prosthetics can also be performed, which partially replaces the falling out functions after removal of the articular complex. However, it is practically impossible to completely restore mobility, and the implantation of metal structures is associated with various complications, the severity of which is incomparably less than the presence of destructive tuberculosis or osteosarcoma.