Doctors quite often identify coxitis of the hip joint in children and adults. This disease is an inflammatory process that occurs in the area of the joint connecting the pelvic bones to the femur. If the pathological process is not recognized in a timely manner and treatment is not carried out, it can provoke persistent bone deformation and disability.
What is a disease?
The hip joint is one of the largest. It is located between the femur and acetabulum. Often, coxitis of the hip joint is diagnosed in the elderly, but this disease can be observed at a young age and even in children. Most often, the disease occurs in women and can affect one or two joints at once. In children, coxitis is associated with intensive bone growth and occurs mainly at the age of 3-6 years, as well as during puberty.
Coxitis differs from other types of arthritis by certain features associated with the size of the hip joint, the course of inflammation and the depth of damage to soft tissues. The development of inflammation can occur synovial or bone. The synovial type occurs as a result of the course of infectious diseases or rheumatoid arthritis.
Bone coxitis may be tuberculous or non-specific. It is formed when the inflammatory process initially affects the bone, and then only the synovial membrane.
The duration of the inflammatory process is different, and depending on this, several forms of the disease are distinguished. Acute coxitis is especially difficult and lasts for several months. With the onset of the chronic form of the disease, mobility, disability and bone deformation occur.
Causes of occurrence
The causes of coxitis of the hip joint of acute and chronic course can be very different. Of great importance are such factors:
- bone injuries;
- gene mutations;
- intestinal infections;
- congenital dysplasia;
- harmful factors;
- psoriasis.
Purulent coxitis of the hip joint often develops against the background of the course of infectious processes. There are specific forms of arthritis, which include tuberculous coxitis. In addition, there are predisposing factors of the disease, which include:
- low-quality food intake;
- frequent infectious processes;
- difficult working conditions;
- exposure to toxic substances.
The causes of coxitis of the hip joint in children can be hidden in the course of dysplasia. This disease belongs to congenital pathologies.
Types of coxites
Depending on the provoking factor, several types of coxitis of the hip joint are distinguished, each of which has its own specific flow characteristics. The most common types of inflammatory process can be considered as follows:
- reactive;
- tuberculous
- transient.
Reactive coxitis is formed after a previous infection and is characterized by a rapid increase in symptoms. In addition, ligaments and internal organs are additionally involved in the inflammatory process. Significant lesions of the skin and inflammation of the lymph nodes can be observed.
The tuberculosis type of the disease is often observed in children. Initially, the lungs are affected, and then the infection spreads to the legs. Symptoms appear gradually, with the occurrence of acute pain in the buttocks, impaired gait coordination, and movement restrictions.
The transient type of coxitis occurs as a result of trauma or a previous inflammatory process. It is characterized by an acute onset and the presence of symptoms characteristic of inflammation. Quite often, it flows into the chronic stage.
Symptoms of the disease
Symptoms of coxitis of the hip joint in adults and children can be classic and specific, it all depends on the characteristics of the course of the disease. The classic signs of the disease include:
- discomfort in the joints, turning into pain;
- lameness;
- formation of bone growth;
- smoothness of folds in the inguinal and gluteal region;
- amyotrophy.
The most basic sign of the course of the disease is the presence of severe pain in the affected area. In addition, there are also specific signs of the course of the disease. With a purulent form of coxitis, there is a strong cooling of the skin in the affected area, increased sweating, fever, weakness and excessive fatigue, swelling and swelling. Temperature can reach very high rates.
The rheumatoid form of the disease is characterized by the presence of stiffness of movements in the morning, pain and swelling of the affected area. The main feature of the pathological process is the occurrence of a very sharp sudden pain for no apparent reason. A similar condition is observed for several days, and then comes relief. With the psoriatic type of the disease, the skin over the affected joint acquires a bluish tint.
Diagnostics
Often, to make a correct diagnosis, only a clinical examination is not enough, which is why doctors resort to additional research methods. To determine the course of articular pathology, the following diagnostic methods may be required:
- radiography;
- tomography;
- ultrasonography;
- puncture of the joint cavity.
If tuberculous coxitis is suspected, a Mantoux test should be performed. Laboratory tests can help identify the rheumatoid and reactive types of the disease. In particularly difficult cases, a biopsy is indicated.
Treatment features
Treatment of coxitis of the hip joint is selected strictly individually for each individual patient, depending on what exactly caused the disease. With an acute inflammatory process, the following treatment methods are used:
- taking painkillers;
- reduced load on the damaged area;
- bandage application;
- intraarticular injections;
- massage;
- surgical intervention.
What kind of treatment methods to apply, only the attending doctor decides in each specific situation after a comprehensive examination.
Drug treatment
Quite often, it is the drug treatment of coxitis of the hip joint in adults that is carried out, since there are many drugs that can effectively cope with intense joint pain. In addition, pills and ointments are prescribed to help restore the affected area. These drugs include:
- anti-inflammatory;
- chondroprotectors;
- vitamins;
- antibiotics.
Anti-inflammatory drugs help eliminate pain, inflammation and fever. The most popular drugs are Voltaren, Ketoprofen, and Diclofenac. However, it is forbidden to use these drugs for a long time, since they have many contraindications and side effects.
Chondroprotectors are widely used to restore articular cartilage. If the pathological process is expressed too strongly, then glucocorticoids can be additionally prescribed. Among the most popular chondroprotectors, it is necessary to distinguish such as Arthron, Chondroxide, and Don.
Vitamins are prescribed to prevent the destruction of the hip joint and accelerate recovery. Basically prescribed “Theravit”, “Alphabet”, “Biovital”.
If the inflammatory process was triggered by pathogens, then antibacterial drugs are used to treat it. The doctor selects the type of antibiotic, its dosage and the duration of the course of therapy purely individually for each individual patient.
Surgical intervention
Surgical intervention is indicated if conservative methods have not brought the desired result and there are serious joint damage. Arthroscopic operations are mainly used to remove the affected area, followed by restoration of the removed structure.
With a very severe course of the disease, hip replacement is indicated. In this case, it is replaced by artificial.
Rehabilitation
It is important not only to quickly cope with the disease itself, but also to completely normalize the functioning of the hip joint, which is required to ensure full functioning.
For each patient, their own rehabilitation program is developed taking into account the nature of the course of the disease. For rehabilitation to be successful, the patient must clearly comply with all the instructions of the attending doctor. Particular attention is paid to physical activity. The recovery period can last for several months.
Features of the course of the disease in children
The causes and treatment of coxitis of the hip joint in children can be very different, however, it is worth noting that the disease is always very acute due to a weak immune system. Often there are signs of local and general inflammation. A purulent form can even lead to the death of a child.
Hip coxitis in children can be recognized by the following signs:
- the child stumbles while walking;
- often falls;
- refuses to fully stand up.
During the diagnosis, the doctor may ask you to perform certain leg movements. In addition, laboratory tests, an x-ray or tomography are prescribed.
The main goals of treatment of coxitis of the hip joint in children are as follows:
- elimination of inflammation;
- pain relief;
- elimination of factors that provoked the disease;
- restoration of cartilage tissue;
- strengthening immunity.
The choice of treatment methods largely depends on the type of course of the disease, the age of the patient and the presence of concomitant diseases.
Prophylaxis
The occurrence of coxitis can be completely prevented if preventive measures are taken in time. Among the main preventive measures are the following:
- sufficient physical activity;
- healthy eating
- weight control;
- protection of joints from cold;
- the use of comfortable shoes.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of a disease.
Possible complications
Launched coxitis can lead to coalescence of the hip joint or its destruction. Any of these conditions provokes disability. In addition, at the last stages of the course of the disease, the patient may experience lameness, shortening or lengthening of the limb, and prolonged intense pain.
Rapidly progressive coxitis can provoke atrophy of the groin and thighs. The course of infectious coxitis can lead to dangerous complications, among which it is necessary to single out the toxic toxic shock and sepsis infection.