Osteochondrosis is a disease that affects the vertebral joints. For this disease, the coating of tissues with osteophytes or salt growths is characteristic. This condition leads to inflammation, swelling and pain. Osteochondrosis of the knee, shoulder, hip and elbow joints is relatively rare, but it causes a lot of inconvenience. Therefore, when the first symptoms appear, you should immediately seek help. In this review, we will consider the reasons for the occurrence of osteochondrosis of the hip joint, as well as analyze the main methods of treatment for this unpleasant disease.
Structural features
The hip joint is the link between the femoral head and the pelvic bone. In the latter there is a special hollow - the acetabulum. A cartilaginous rim runs along the edge of this recess. The cavity and head of the femur are covered with cartilage tissue. It is located inside the acetabulum. The space between them is filled with synovial or articular fluid.
The purpose of this substance is to lubricate rubbing surfaces. For hard bone, cartilage is a kind of shock absorber. Cartilage can change its size when squeezed, for example, when carrying heavy loads or walking. In this case, a certain amount of lubricating synovial fluid is released from the cartilage tissue. As a result, a special protective layer is formed. The stronger the load on the joint, the more fluid is released.
Disease development
So what do you need to know about this? What causes osteochondrosis of the hip joint? With proper blood supply to bone and cartilage, they receive all the necessary nutrients. However, there are a number of negative factors that prevent this. These include:
- stagnation due to a sedentary lifestyle;
- age-related fluid loss;
- insufficient amount of nutrients.
Destructive changes primarily affect the more stressed parts of the hip joint, namely, cartilage tissue. With degeneration, the cartilage changes its structure, becomes thinner and destroyed. As a result, bone growths appear on the joint, inflammation develops. Cartilage no longer fulfills its purpose. This disease is called osteochondrosis of the hip joint. Symptoms, treatment, and prognosis for recovery — all of this information will be discussed later.
First signs
Let's dwell on this in more detail. How is osteochondrosis of the hip joint manifested ? Symptoms at the initial stage of the disease are expressed in the appearance of a characteristic crunch. Also, a person may feel discomfort and fatigue. At the first stage of destruction, x-rays usually allow you to see small growths along the edges of the pelvic cavity. In addition, narrowing of the gap between the head of the bone and the cavity is still observed. The first dystrophic changes in the joint are marginal growths.
Second stage
Grade 2 osteochondrosis is characterized by the appearance of degenerative changes in the bone tissue. The femoral head is deformed. Cartilage tissue also becomes much thinner. At this stage, osteophytes or bone growths can still form. There is inflammation. It is at this stage that the patient begins to feel pain when walking, running or carrying heavy loads. Unpleasant sensations can spread to the inguinal region. The patient's gait changes, lameness appears.
Third degree
The last stage of the disease is characterized by complete destruction of the cartilage tissue. Only individual cartilage remains between the pelvic and tibia. In some areas, cartilage may be replaced by bone growths. As a rule, significant edema and severe pain appear at this stage. Unpleasant sensations can occur both at rest and when turning the joint. A person with difficulty is able to move independently.
Symptoms
How does osteochondrosis usually manifest itself? Pain in the hip joint, swelling, limitation of mobility - these are the most obvious symptoms of the disease. At first, the discomfort is periodic. Also, they can manifest themselves only with physical activity. However, with the development of the disease, the pain becomes permanent. In addition, there is inflammation, swelling. Visually, you can notice that the affected area has increased in size. Squeezed cells of the cartilage tissue while experiencing a state of compression. This is what causes pain at rest.
Formation paths
What causes osteochondrosis of the hip joint? The causes of this disease are not fully understood.
Doctors usually consider two options:
- First, the destruction of cartilage occurs, inflammation and subsequent growth of osteophytes. Due to the depletion of cartilage tissue under the influence of loads, microcracks are formed. In the destruction zone, inflammation appears and the regeneration process is activated. It is these affected tissues that lead to the appearance of marginal growths.
- The growth of osteophytes leads to the development of inflammation. Bone growths are formed due to a sedentary lifestyle. This causes stagnation of joint fluids. As a result, salts from this water mass precipitate and form osteophytes. These formations cause deformation and subsequent destruction of the joint. Pain and inflammation appear.
How to diagnose?
What to do if you have osteochondrosis of the hip joint? Treatment should begin only after the final diagnosis of the disease. Indeed, very often the picture of the disease is quite blurry: osteochondrosis can give off to neighboring areas - the lower back, groin or knee. Inflammation is usually accompanied by tissue edema.
Diagnosing the disease at the initial stage is quite difficult, since it does not cause discomfort. Usually, patients seek medical help even when changes in the joint lead to pain during movement. The second degree is characterized by overgrowth of bone tissue, swelling and inflammation.
The third stage is characterized by sharp pain, in addition, the hip joint is significantly increased in size. Therefore, one cannot do without professional help from doctors. How to treat osteochondrosis of the hip joint? We will try to answer this question further.
Treatment
What you need to know about this? The recovery process after osteochondrosis of the hip joint can be reduced to the following measures:
- cartilage tissue regeneration;
- normalization of blood supply to the affected areas;
- restoration of synovial fluid volume;
- full supply of joint tissues with nutrients and oxygen;
- relieving muscle cramps;
- elimination of pain.
What methods are used today to treat the disease? Consider the most common of them.
Traditional therapy
What is its feature? How to overcome osteochondrosis of the hip joint? Treatment according to the classical scheme brings very good results. However, taking medications does not guarantee a complete recovery. Pharmacy drugs help prevent the further development of the disease.
As a rule, with osteochondrosis, doctors prescribe the following drugs:
- Novocainic blockade. Used to anesthetize the affected area. Not in all cases this gives a positive effect. Many patients, feeling relieved, stop observing bed rest. This can significantly aggravate the further course of the disease.
- Preparations for the restoration of blood supply and blood circulation.
- Bracing: a complex of vitamins and minerals.
- Chondoprotectors: special preparations responsible for the restoration of cartilage.
- Distractions for external use: warming creams and ointments.
Operation
An extreme measure to cure osteochondrosis of the hip joint is endoprosthetics. They resort to surgery only when it is already impossible to restore the joint by other methods. During the operation, the surgeon removes the damaged tissue and sets the prosthesis. As a result, instead of a worn tibia head, a titanium pin with an artificial joint head is implanted into the patient. The acetabulum is coated with high density polyethylene. Then a titanium head is inserted into it. If the engraftment was successful, such a prosthesis can last up to 18 years. After this period, the pin may become loose and require replacement. Therefore, surgery is considered only a temporary treatment for the disease.
Folk methods
Is it possible to overcome osteochondrosis of the hip joint? Home treatment usually involves the use of traditional medicine. They can be used in combination with traditional medicines. Folk remedies help to resist both osteochondrosis and arthrosis.
Consider their main types:
- General strengthening: with osteochondrosis various vitamin preparations based on herbs (dandelion, nettle, celery) help well. You can also try freshly squeezed juices (carrot, celery, pumpkin, birch, cranberry). To prepare a natural complex of minerals, cedar gum and mummy are used.
- Anti-inflammatory: Calendula, yarrow, and chamomile help relieve swelling and inflammation. These herbs must be brewed and insisted a little. Aloe juice also has a good anti-inflammatory effect. It can be used both externally and internally.
- To remove toxins: you can cleanse the body using a decoction of oak bark, aspen and birch. The use of oatmeal with honey also gives a good effect.
One of the most common causes of impaired blood supply to the joints is liver disease and helminth infestations. Significant relief can give the use of liver fees. They usually include chamomile, calendula, burdock root, milk thistle and wormwood.
How else can get rid of osteochondrosis of the hip joint? Alternative treatment involves the use of special compresses and wraps.
Here are a couple of simple and effective recipes:
- a mixture of camphor oil and medical bile;
- alcohol tinctures of saber-eared, propolis;
- saturated saline (helps relieve inflammation and disinfect the affected area).
Physical exercise
One of the reasons for the development of the disease is a sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, special exercises for osteochondrosis of the hip joint must be done.
The complex of exercise therapy for this disease usually includes:
- swings, shaking, swinging legs;
- raises the legs in the knee;
- stretching and hanging;
- leg raises over the floor in a prone position;
- Slow jogging or walking.
Reviews
Most patients diagnosed with "osteochondrosis of the hip joint" say that they are well helped by medications such as Troxevasin and Ketorol. These drugs are more gentle than novocaine blockade. However, without performing special physical exercises it is almost impossible to achieve a positive result. Jogging, aerobics and hanging on the horizontal bar help a lot. As a supportive therapy, you can use proven folk remedies.
Always try to monitor your health, because no one will do this better than you!