Osteoarthritis Of The Hip Joint - 1, 2 And 3 Degrees, Treatment Of Hip Osteoarthritis

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 17:49

Osteoarthritis of the hip joint

Content:

• What is osteoarthritis of the hip?
• Degree of osteoarthritis of the hip joint
• Deforming osteoarthritis of the hip joint
• Treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip joint

What is osteoarthritis of the hip?

Osteoarthritis of the hip joint is a destructive process that is localized in the joint; cartilage plastics, which are its inner coating, suffer from pathology. Among all joint diseases, osteoarthritis of the hip joint is the most common. This pathology accounts for up to 40% of all cases. People have suffered from osteoarthritis of the hip joint for many millennia. This fact is confirmed by the bones found during the excavations, which have the corresponding signs of the disease.

These include the following:

• The nature of the destruction of cartilage tissue is degenerative - dystrophic in nature.
• Bone tissue grows along the edges of the joint.
• The joints themselves undergo significant deformations.

The essence of the disease is as follows: inside the joints located at the end of the bones there is cartilage, due to which normal limb mobility is ensured. It allows bones to slide without unnecessary friction. But over time, the cartilage begins to retain the fluid necessary to ensure movement, and in the process of "exploitation" it begins to crack. The bones begin to rub against each other, and certain growths, called osteophytes, form on them. Because of them, a person experiences painful sensations and other symptoms of osteoarthritis of the hip joint.

The risk of getting this pathology increases in people who have crossed the age limit of 45 years. Women are more prone to osteoarthritis than men. This is due to the changes occurring in her body during menopause, when the calcium so necessary for the bones begins to leave them against the background of hormonal changes. It accumulates in large quantities in cartilage and destroys them. But women do not always suffer more often than men, at a young age representatives of the strong half of humanity suffer more from the disease.

Degree of osteoarthritis of the hip joint

Depending on how much the disease has progressed, it can manifest itself with the following symptoms to varying degrees of severity:

• Pain in the thigh area of varying intensity. They can occur both with increased physical activity and during rest.
• There may be some stiffness of movements, their limitation.
• While walking, a sick person limps, a wide step becomes inaccessible to him.
• With the progression of the disease, one leg is shortened relative to the other. The affected limb becomes shorter.
• If left untreated, osteoarthritis will eventually lead to atrophy of the thigh muscles.

Osteoarthritis of the hip joint 1 degree

At the first stage, the diagnosis of the disease is significantly difficult due to a number of factors:

• Firstly, the symptomatology of the disease is not clearly manifested, which makes it possible to confuse the disease with a number of others or even associate recurrent pains with other causes that are not related to any pathology.
• Secondly, the patients themselves are in no hurry to see a doctor.

Nevertheless, X-ray examination already at this stage makes it possible to see some changes in the joints. Small bony growths are noticeable, but they are located within the bony lip. Localization of growths - along the outer and inner edges of the surface of the acetabulum. At this stage, the disease has not affected the femoral neck and head of the bone, no visible changes are found.

As symptoms inherent in this stage of the development of the disease, the following can be distinguished:

• Decreased motor activity due to recurrent pain.
• Pain that occurs with increased physical activity. In a state of immobility, a person is not disturbed by any manifestations.
• Occasionally, slight clicks can be heard while moving the hip.
• When making sharp swings with a limb, sharp pain may occur.

At the same time, human movements are practically unlimited, the gait pattern is not changed, and his muscle strength remains normal.

Osteoarthritis of the hip joint 2nd degree

Diagnosis of second-degree hip osteoarthritis is not so difficult. Most often, patients already independently come to the doctor with complaints of painful sensations. They arise when a limb moves, even when walking. On palpation of the affected limb, the patient feels pain.

An X-ray image reveals such conditions as: narrowing of the joint space, by about 45%, the synovial cartilage is already damaged, which causes the bones to rub against each other, and therefore pain. But to a greater extent, it manifests itself due to the occurrence of puffiness, which appears against the background of malfunctioning of the joint.

Osteophytes are clearly visible in the picture, they significantly aggravate the course of the disease and negatively affect the general condition of a person suffering from osteoarthritis of the hip joint. Sometimes the image can show the so-called "articular mouse" - as doctors call a splinter that has come off the bone and is inside.

The main symptoms are the following:

• Pain is present all the time, not just when a person is in motion. It can radiate to the groin area, as well as to the knee joint.
• The patient gets tired quickly, it is difficult for him to be in a standing position for a long time, and even more so to perform any active actions.
• Movement is largely limited, the joint is stiff.
• The pain does not appear in the process, but at the very beginning of the action of the affected limb.
• The articular surface is deformed.

The range of movements, although somewhat limited, nevertheless, a person is able to perform all self-service actions. Sometimes, already at this stage, the patient begins to use the cane. At least - this is a doctor's recommendation and greatly simplifies the patient's life.

Osteoarthritis of the hip joint 3 degrees

The third degree of osteoarthritis of the hip joint is very easy to diagnose, but it should be said that this is a rather late date for detecting the problem. X-ray examination shows that the joint space has almost completely disappeared.

Symptoms typical for this stage are as follows:

• Constant, unremitting pain.
• Pronounced crunch of the joint during movement.
• Palpation is incredibly painful.
• The joint is significantly deformed.
• Movements are almost impossible, and if untreated, they will be completely lost.
• The patient is able to move only with support on a cane.

On the subject: Pain in the hip joint

Deforming osteoarthritis of the hip joint

Deforming osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that slowly recurs. It results in persistent disorders in the activity of the joint. If we consider all bone diseases associated with degenerative - dystrophic changes in the bones and cartilage, then it is the deforming osteoarthritis that takes the leading position. This is largely due to the fact that it is the hip joint that experiences the most severe stress and is the largest in the human body.

The process proceeds as follows: the hyaline cartilage begins to deplete, irregularities and roughness can be found on it. Then the disease leads to the fact that he completely disappears, exposing the bone tissue. During movement of the limb, the bones rub against each other, since there is no natural shock absorber between them. Within a short period of time, this leads to the fact that the joint loses its function and is significantly deformed.

There are two types of deforming hip osteoarthritis: one that occurs against the background of a functional load and affects an absolutely healthy joint (called primary osteoarthritis) and one that arises as a result of an already existing disease (called secondary osteoarthritis).

The factors affecting the occurrence of this pathology include the following:

• Overt and hidden injuries of the hip joint.
• Increased stress on the joint.
• Age over 45.
• Hereditary predisposition.
• Hormonal disruptions in the body, as well as disruption of normal metabolism.
• Excess weight.
• Congenital dislocation of the hip or dysplasia of the hip joints.
• Peters' disease.
• Arthritis.

The disease can destroy one or both joints.

Treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip joint

Treatment requires, if not complete, then the maximum possible rest for the injured limb. It is also required to eliminate the main symptoms of pathology: to alleviate or completely eliminate pain, as well as return the person's freedom of movement. Hospitalization for the treatment of osteoarthritis is most often not required.

The therapeutic scheme is selected individually, taking into account the age characteristics of the patient, as well as the stage of development of the disease:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs. To relieve painful sensations, a person is prescribed the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or standard analgesics. Hormonal agents may be recommended that are injected into the affected joint. For this purpose, Kenalog or Dexazon is used, which greatly facilitates the patient's condition, gives him the opportunity to move freely.

On the subject: List of modern drugs and drugs for joints

• Chondroprotectors. Chondroprotectors can be prescribed, for example Teraflex and Alflutop, it is they that contribute to the fact that the cartilage tissue begins to regenerate on its own.

On the subject: Modern dietary supplements for the restoration of joints

• Physiotherapy. After the mobility of the joint is somewhat restored, and the pain is relieved, doctors prescribe a course of physiotherapy procedures. They are great at reducing inflammation. For treatment, a specialized set of exercises is prescribed, and electrophoresis is possible. A visit to a massage room and laser therapy give good results. After the inflammation has been relieved, most doctors recommend that patients visit the pool. It is the water procedures that will help to strengthen the muscles and tissues and will more reliably fix the diseased joint.
• Operative intervention. As for the surgical intervention, it is usually used at 3 stages of the development of the disease, when the process of the joint is steadily deformed, and the person is unable to perform normal movements. Surgical intervention is called endoprosthetics and consists in replacing the diseased joint with an artificial one. After it is carried out, a person will be able to move independently and will not be limited to bed rest.
• Diet. It is also necessary to combine medical procedures with a specific diet recommended by the doctor. Its principle is that a person should refuse to consume meat, fatty and sweet foods. You should not completely exclude meat from the diet, but you should limit yourself to the consumption of lean beef and chicken. It is important to eat fish, fruits and vegetables, and brown bread.
• Hirudotherapy. Hirudotherapy has proven itself well, but it should be remembered that the effect of it is not too long. Although many patients trust their limbs to leeches to relieve symptoms.

To reduce the load on the sore joint, especially during treatment, it is important to use a cane.

On the subject: Effective Home Remedies

A method of stretching the damaged joint is also practiced. It is possible to carry out such manipulations only in a hospital, in inpatient treatment. Patients can move during the course of the course only with the use of crutches, so that the load on the injured leg is minimized. When combined with a massage performed by a professional, the results will exceed all expectations. After completing the course and returning the patient home, it is necessary to continue to carry out therapeutic actions on their own. To consolidate the result obtained, you need to do physical education, massage the sore limb and attend specialized classes in the pool.

It should be understood that osteoarthritis of the hip joint, thanks to the achievements of modern medicine, is perfectly treated. But it is important to start therapy on time. If time is lost and the doctor recommends an operation, then you should not refuse it. Surgical intervention gives excellent results and allows patients to live an active life without discomfort in movement.

Author of the article: Kaplan Alexander Sergeevich | Orthopedist

Education: diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received in 2009 at the Medical Academy. I. M. Sechenov. In 2012 completed postgraduate studies in Traumatology and Orthopedics at the City Clinical Hospital named after Botkin at the Department of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Disaster Surgery.