One of the most serious diseases of cartilage is coxarthrosis of the hip joint. Its symptoms in the early stages of development are invisible. It is for this reason that most often patients turn to specialists for help, when it is almost impossible to carry out treatment without resorting to surgery. This is why it is important to detect the disease at an early stage.
Symptoms of the development of the disease
In modern medicine, people, especially the elderly, are increasingly diagnosed with coxarthrosis of the hip joint. Symptoms of this disease can not be called specific. Most often, the beginning process of cartilage deformation makes itself felt with mild discomfort in the joint. There is a slight pain syndrome with prolonged walking. But he quickly disappears alone. In this case, pain can occur not only directly in the hip joint, but also in the groin and in the knee. These symptoms rarely alarm people. Therefore, very few timely calls to doctors are recorded. As cartilage deformation develops, new signs appear. First of all, the so-called morning stiffness arises. This syndrome is direct evidence of coxarthrosis. It is expressed in the fact that after sleep or prolonged sitting in the joint, a tension is felt that prevents it from fully moving. It disappears after half an hour after continuous walking. This symptom is regular. In addition, over time, crunching during extension and a specific creak of bones of the lower extremities are added to it. These are only the first harbingers of such a serious disease as coxarthrosis of the hip joint. Symptoms will only get worse. The gait will change, movements will be more and more limited, the pain will intensify. The ligaments of the joint, undergoing constant overstrain, will weaken, after which muscle atrophy will be observed. At this stage, a person can no longer do without a cane.
Causes of coxarthrosis
Of course, it is important to know and in time to recognize all the signs of coxarthrosis of the hip joint, but it is also necessary to understand the causes of this disease. Congenital hip dislocation accounts for 20-25 percent of cases of subsequent development of this disease. In addition to joint dysplasia, hypermobility syndrome and, of course, Perthes disease lead to coxarthrosis. Subsequent deformation of the cartilage tissue can cause many congenital and acquired pathologies. This serious ailment often develops due to injuries, for example, fractures of the hip and pelvic bones, as well as dislocations and torn ligaments. Another reason is infectious diseases, in which there is a violation of the normal blood supply to the joint. This condition is often detected in the elderly and in patients with diabetes mellitus. At the same time, the disease violates not only the patency of blood vessels, but also the work of the joints completely. Coxarthrosis can develop in athletes. This is due to constant large loads on the legs. For training, you have to pay with problems with cartilage, not only in the hip, but also in the rest of the joints.
Coxarthrosis of the hip joint of 1 degree
At the first stage of the disease, coxarthrosis is difficult to detect. Symptoms that would clearly indicate a serious illness are not detected. In the first stage, as a rule, only pain occurs during physical exertion on the legs. At rest, discomfort is not observed. During this period, the cartilage tissue of the joint experiences oxygen starvation due to insufficient blood supply. But overall, it functions well.
Coxarthrosis of the hip joint 2 degrees
At the second stage of the disease, cartilage malnutrition is much more significant. You can already detect its destruction. Dead tissue particles float freely in the joint fluid. This enhances the pain syndrome. But most importantly, the normal mechanism of movement of the articulating bones begins to break. The gait is gradually changing. On the bones themselves in the cartilaginous part dense outgrowths - osteophytes form. They intensify pain when walking, as well as after a long state of rest. There is a morning stiffness syndrome. Mild lameness may appear due to severe overstrain of the ligaments of the joint.
Coxarthrosis of the hip joint 3 degrees
In the third stage of the disease, cartilage tissue is almost completely destroyed. The joint is severely deformed. Normal movements of the lower limb in this place are impossible. In the joint, complete immobility was finally formed. Tissues atrophy. If movements can still be made, then along a pathological trajectory that does not correspond to the norm. The pain syndrome is present almost constantly, both when walking and at rest. He often appears in the middle of the night, causing insomnia. At this stage, drug treatment, and even more so local treatment, is useless. Only joint replacement with replacement for artificial joint can improve the patient’s condition.
Features of nutrition in coxarthrosis
In order for the cartilage cells of our body to recover, B vitamins are necessary. This is a basic condition. Also, the body should not be deficient in vitamins C, A, E. Diet for coxarthrosis of the hip joint primarily provides for the presence in the daily diet of a large number of fruits, fresh vegetables and cereals, which have all the necessary minerals. Another important component of nutrition for the restoration of cartilage is by-products. The heart, liver, kidneys, stomachs should first be thoroughly soaked and boiled. Then they can be used in the preparation of main dishes and salads. Phosphorus and fluoride will produce seafood and fish. Products from white flour are completely excluded from the diet for coxarthrosis. At the same time, it is better to give preference to grain bread. It is also required to limit salt intake. A large number of it leads to swelling in the tissues of the joints.
Non-drug methods for the prevention and treatment of coxarthrosis
Of course, a diet for coxarthrosis of the hip joint can slow down the development of the disease in the initial stages a little, but it is not a treatment. When the first signs of damage to the cartilage tissue appear, consult a doctor. The following non-drug methods for the prevention and treatment of coxarthrosis of the first and second degree are also recommended. First of all, you need to remove the load from the diseased joint. To do this, reduce the time allotted for walking, running. It is also necessary to avoid prolonged standing. If possible, it is better to sit. This is very true for those people whose work involves constant movement. Use every opportunity to rest your legs. Of course, this is not an answer to the question of how to treat coxarthrosis of the hip joint, but as a prophylaxis of the disease, reducing the load is very effective. True, getting involved in constant sitting in place is also very harmful. It is necessary to find a middle ground between rest and physical activity. If the disease increasingly makes itself felt, then it is necessary to begin medication and local treatment, attend physical therapy sessions and gymnastics.
Medications
Gymnastics with coxarthrosis of the hip joint, of course, has a positive effect on the development of the disease, slowing it down. But in the second stage, it is also necessary to resort to drugs. First of all, we are talking about painkillers - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They not only remove partially or completely pain syndrome, but also reduce swelling, swelling and other symptoms of inflammation. These are the well-known drugs "Paracetamol", "Indomethacin" and "Diclofenac". But when using them, you must remember about side effects and overdose. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have an adverse effect on the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, in particular, the stomach. This can trigger the development of gastritis and ulcers. So the intake of these drugs should be monitored by the attending physician.
Chondroprotectors
In addition to anti-inflammatory drugs, chondroprotectors are used in the treatment of coxarthrosis. These funds improve the nutrition of cartilage in joints affected by the disease , which significantly slows down the development of pathology. But still you can’t call them very effective, because how to treat coxarthrosis of the hip joint so that the cartilage tissue is completely restored, they are not capable. But still, with improved blood supply, cellular building elements are delivered faster to the affected area. Chondroprotectors currently include glucosamine sulfate, diacerein, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate.
Local treatment
In the treatment of the disease at all stages of development - in addition to oral medications - you can use local drugs. These include various ointments and gels. They also produce an analgesic effect, but, importantly, practically do not give side symptoms. Most often, doctors prescribe Diclofenac (ointment), Voltaren Emulgel, Butadion, DIP-Relief, and Fastrum Gel to their patients with cartilage deformity. Massage with coxarthrosis of the hip joint with the use of these agents helps very well. In addition, physiotherapeutic procedures, laser therapy, acupuncture, mud therapy and therapeutic baths can alleviate the patient's condition.
Arthroscopic debridement
Coxarthrosis of the hip joint of the 2nd degree is quite difficult to treat. To alleviate the condition of the patient using surgical manipulation - arthroscopic debridement. Its essence is to remove destroyed small particles of cartilage from the cavity of the hip joint. For this, the doctor uses a special apparatus - an arthroscope. With the release of foreign particles of the synovial fluid of the joint, a positive effect is achieved during the course of the disease. The pain is reduced. The morning stiffness syndrome disappears. However, it is worth remembering that this effect, unfortunately, is temporary and lasts no more than two years. In later stages, this manipulation is not performed.
Periarticular osteotomy
This method is very complex and time-consuming, but thanks to it it is possible to alleviate the condition of a person who has been diagnosed with coxarthrosis of the hip joint. The operation, the cost of which starts from 100 thousand rubles, is that the thigh bone is filed in several places. Then it connects again, but under a different slope. Thanks to this rather complex manipulation, the points of load on the joint change. As a result, his work becomes better, pain decreases.