Hip arthritis is an inflammation of the joint tissues that occurs as an organism’s response to the entry of viruses and bacteria into them. Unlike degenerative pathologies, inflammation occurs in the lining of the joint cavity. Only in the later stages does this process spread to the bones and articular cartilage.
As a rule, the disease occurs at a young age, about 15-40 years. The first signs of damage can be observed as early as school years.
Types and types of disease
In connection with the cause, the following types of arthritis of the hip joint are distinguished:
- traumatic;
- dystrophic;
- infectious;
- rheumatoid;
- tuberculous
- transient.
In addition, the deforming form of the disease is distinguished, as well as the pathology of secondary origin. It is worth noting that there is no unified classification of arthritis of the hip joint, however, doctors distinguish 3 main types of pathology that they most often encounter. We list them:
- reactive;
- rheumatoid;
- purulent.
Reactive arthritis of the hip joint is a lesion of the articular surface that develops after a previous inflammation, initially localized outside. This disease can be triggered by various pathogens, but it has the same symptoms.
Rheumatoid arthritis of the hip joint is quite rare in children and adults. This is due to the fact that this type of disease often affects small articular surfaces. The rheumatoid type provoked can be autoimmune processes that occur after contact with infections of any origin.
The purulent type is accompanied not only by inflammation of the joint, but also by the release of pus. The pathological process occurs when bacteria and fungi enter the joint cavity. This is not always an independent pathology, since it can act as a concomitant disease with rheumatism, hepatitis, and lupus. Quite often, a similar problem is observed in children.
Defeat stages
There are various degrees of arthritis of the hip joint, which are classified by level of impaired functionality. In the first stage of the course of the disease, the functions are preserved, in the second - somewhat impaired, and in the third - completely lost. In addition, the violation is subdivided by the duration of the course. The following types are distinguished:
- acute;
- subacute;
- chronic;
- recurrent.
Depending on the degree of the disease and especially the course of inflammation, doctors select the most effective methodology for conducting therapy.
Causes of occurrence
The causes of arthritis of the hip joint can be very different, it all depends on what exactly provoked the pathological condition. Reactive types of the disease are usually associated with various infectious processes provoked by intestinal microflora and many other pathogens.
In this case, microbes are not found in the articular cavity and synovial membrane. This form is rare in adults. Inflammatory arthritis includes lesions associated with allergies, metabolic disorders, cancer, aggression of one's own immunity, and hereditary factors. Among the most common causes of arthritis and arthrosis of the hip joint are the following:
- metabolic disease;
- autoimmune disorders;
- excessive load on the joint;
- the presence of concomitant lesions;
- complication of infectious and viral diseases.
Among the causes of periarthritis, frequent tendon microtrauma can be distinguished. This is due to the profession of a person or sports loads. The development of the pathological process can contribute to endocrine and vascular disorders.
Main symptoms
Symptoms of arthritis of the hip joint are characterized by the occurrence of inflammation inside the joint cavity, that is, they provoke pain in the affected area. Physically, you can feel the following manifestations:
- painful sensations;
- a feeling of stiffness in the affected area;
- swelling and damage to the skin;
- limitation of joint mobility.
Despite the variety of symptoms, the greatest discomfort provokes exactly the pain that occurs in the groin. Inflammation may also be accompanied by fever, fever, and migraine.
With rheumatoid arthritis, pain, a feeling of tightness and swelling of the affected area are observed. The joints are affected equally, and sometimes against this background, diseases of the internal organs arise. With purulent arthritis, increased sweating, constant pain, fever, swelling and redness of the skin are observed.
The gouty type of disease is characterized by the occurrence of a sharp pain that lasts for a long time. In addition, there is fever and swelling. With psoriatic arthritis, an asymmetric lesion is observed. The skin near the inflamed joint acquires a bluish tint. In addition, doctors can diagnose spinal diseases.
When the first symptoms of arthritis of the hip joint appear, seek medical attention. With severe pain and fever, you need to take anti-inflammatory drugs. In addition, it is necessary to ensure the immobility of the affected limb.
Diagnostics
Symptoms and treatment of arthritis of the hip joint largely depend on the form of the course of the disease, which is determined during the diagnosis. To choose the most appropriate method of therapy, you must know why the inflammation has occurred. For this, the doctor specifies the intensity of the pain, their localization. He also asks if the patient had infectious diseases or joint injuries.
After this, the joint is examined. It is important to evaluate the articular surface not only in a static position, but also during movement. This will help to clarify how limited movements are, how much functioning is affected, and whether deformation is present.
The decisive role in the diagnosis is played by visual research methods. For this, tomography, radiography, and ultrasound are used. If you need to determine how strong and in what form the inflammatory process proceeds, you will have to perform a joint puncture. It will help determine the type of pathogen and choose antibiotics for therapy.
Treatment feature
Only the doctor decides how to treat arthritis of the hip joint, while relying on information about the form of the disease and the features of its course. During the treatment, the patient is prescribed a whole range of measures, including surgical and orthopedic techniques, medications, folk remedies, as well as sanitary and spa treatment.
Initially, it is necessary to eliminate painful sensations and only after that proceed to the restoration of the affected joint. The basis of drug therapy is the use of anti-inflammatory drugs along with intra-articular injections of glucocorticoids. However, they can be administered only with acute pain in the affected area and under the supervision of a specialist.
The surgical method is hip replacement. It is used for the most severe forms of damage, when conservative methods do not bring the desired result. After the acute period subsides, therapeutic gymnastics and massage are used. Alternative methods also show good results, but it is advisable to use them in combination with other means.
Drug therapy
The treatment of arthrosis and arthritis of the hip joint must be carried out comprehensively, since only in this way can a good result be achieved. A major role is played by drug therapy, which includes:
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- muscle relaxants;
- antibiotics
- analgesics;
- vitamin complexes.
Anti-inflammatory drugs help quickly and effectively eliminate inflammation, reduce swelling, reduce vascular permeability and normalize the patient’s well-being. In particular, the doctor may prescribe such drugs as Ibuprofen, Indomethacin, Ketoprofen, Diclofenac. It is worth remembering that prolonged use of these drugs can adversely affect the condition of the stomach and intestines, so you must strictly follow the doctor’s instructions.
Local anesthetics have proven themselves well: ointments, gels, creams. Such drugs include Apizatron, Fastum Gel, Voltaren Emulgel. Among their main advantages, it can be distinguished that these are external agents. However, the joint is located far from the skin, so the effect of such ointments and creams is usually negligible.
Muscle relaxants help to relax muscles, as muscle contractions lead to aggravation of arthritis during joint damage. Among the most popular drugs of this group are Sirdalud, Baclofen, and Midokalm. It is worth noting that these drugs have certain contraindications.
Vitamin complexes will help normalize the condition of bone tissue. In particular, such drugs as “Theravit”, “Calcemin”, “Vitrum Calcium” are prescribed. With infectious arthritis of the hip joint, treatment involves the use of antibacterial drugs. Only the attending physician should prescribe them.
The use of folk remedies
Treatment of arthritis of the hip joint with folk remedies involves the use of various methods and techniques. Among the most effective are:
- healing baths;
- decoctions and infusions of herbs;
- compresses;
- ointments.
You can take a bath with the addition of a decoction of bran, birch leaves, sea salt. In addition, coniferous baths show a good result. You need to take them for a month.
At home, you can prepare healing ointments that need to be applied to the affected area of the joints until the pain is completely eliminated. You can prepare a curative if you mix 100 g of mustard, paraffin and 200 g of salt until a homogeneous mixture is obtained. Then it must be applied to the affected joints and left until the agent has completely dried. A decoction made from nettle leaves, elderberry flowers, willow bark and parsley root helps a lot. You can take it instead of tea. You can also insist horse chestnut flowers on alcohol. Take the finished product should be 1 tbsp. l
To set up a compress, Dimexide should be diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 4, and then applied to the affected area.
Surgical intervention
Surgical treatment of arthritis of the hip joint is carried out only in case of deformation and bone necrosis. In this case, such techniques are used to restore the affected joint, such as:
- arthroplasty;
- arthroscopic synovectomy;
- cartilage transplantation;
- implant implantation in the joint.
Arthritis treatment is a long and very complex process that cannot be carried out without the qualified help of a doctor.
Massage and physiotherapy
At the initial stage of the course of arthrosis, the complex of therapy should include therapeutic exercises, which will help strengthen muscles, normalize blood circulation, and increase joint mobility. However, do not carry out the complex of therapeutic exercises too intensively, since excessive loads can quickly destroy the thinned cartilage tissue. As a result, acute pain may occur. You can perform exercises that simulate riding a bicycle, lying on your back. In addition, it is advisable to include swimming, riding a stationary bike, skiing, and cycling in the complex.
At the initial stages of the lesion, doctors recommend that physiotherapy procedures be included in the treatment complex. They will help eliminate inflammation, reduce pain, and increase blood circulation. These procedures include:
- laser therapy;
- magnetotherapy;
- electrophoresis;
- shock wave therapy.
It helps in the treatment of arthrosis massage. In particular, it is possible to massage the inside of the thigh, legs, lower back, buttocks. With the help of such manipulations, blood circulation can be enhanced, which contributes to better penetration of nutrients to the affected area. In addition, muscle tone is significantly increased, painful sensations are reduced, and spasms are eliminated.
The course of the disease in childhood
Arthritis of the hip joint in a child is diagnosed much more often than in an adult, since children are more prone to inflammatory processes of cartilage. The disease proceeds quite acutely with severe symptoms of general and local inflammation.
Purulent form of arthritis is especially dangerous for young children. With untimely diagnosis and treatment, it can lead to the death of the child. At the very beginning of the course of inflammation, there may be no symptoms, and the first signs appear only with significant physical exertion. A urological, intestinal or genital infection can provoke the development of the disease. The prerequisite for its occurrence is the suppression of the immune system. As a rule, boys suffer from this disease.
At the very beginning of the course of inflammation, swelling of the legs and knees is observed. Unlike adults, children tolerate the disease quite easily and they are not worried about pain. Reactive arthritis can occur in the form of fever, fever and chills. Sometimes there is pain in the hips and lower back.
Treatment is carried out in a hospital with the help of medications, immunomodulators and immunostimulants. Be sure to follow a diet. It is necessary to exclude eggplants, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers from the diet. It is good to eat dairy products, poultry, fish, berries, fruits and garlic.
It is very important to conduct timely treatment, since this disease can provoke a significant deterioration in well-being. In case of complication, an infectious toxic shock may develop. In addition, the spread of infection throughout the body is not excluded.
Prophylaxis
Any disease is much easier to prevent than to treat for a long time. It is very important to observe certain preventive measures, which include:
- proper nutrition;
- light physical exertion;
- compliance with the regime of the day;
- wearing comfortable shoes.
In addition, it is very important not to allow hypothermia, as it negatively affects the condition of the joints. All this will help prevent the development of arthritis, and when it occurs, facilitate the course of inflammation.