Hip arthritis-symptoms and treatment

1 January 2021

Our body is a complex system in which the damage of one "screw" causes damage to other "parts". In addition to internal organ diseases, chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, especially joints, also cause a lot of trouble. Today, I propose to discuss arthritis of the hip joint. What are the symptoms and recommended treatments.

This is the largest joint in the human skeleton. It is often used when walking, bending, and turning, so this disease brings severe pain and stiffness to the patient. Fortunately, through early diagnosis, the disease can be well treated with drugs. It is not easy to suspect that there is a problem. You need to understand all the characteristics of the disease and be able to distinguish the initial manifestations. And, of course, please pay attention to the method to prevent it, which will help our article.

Arthritis or osteoarthritis of the hip joint is also called hip arthritis. All these terms mean one thing-a complex progressive disease in which the femoral head and the cartilage that line the acetabulum are destroyed. As a result, the joints gradually collapse, become bones, grow excessively, and lose mobility.

Hip Joint Disease-What is

Let us take a closer look at what is hip arthritis, because this is a term often used by doctors. The reason is that the term "arthritis" is no longer used in medical terms recently because it was previously thought to have nothing to do with inflammation, but then scientistsProof not. To us, these controversies are not important, mainly because all these names refer to the same very unpleasant disease.

Therefore, cervical spondylosis is a degenerative dystrophic disease that can cause cartilage tissue destruction and deformation. It is mainly diagnosed in women over 40 years old and men over 60 years old.

Why are women doing wrong in front of nature, so unfair? The main point here is the special structure of the female bones and the load on the hip joint, especially during labor and delivery. As a result, middle-aged women are more likely to suffer from this disease; in the elderly category, the number of patients of different genders is gradually becoming equal.

Causes of hip joint arthritis

There may be many reasons for hip joint arthritis.

The most common of these are:

Inheritance, if one of your parents or relatives has this disease, you need to pay more attention to your health, because although the disease itself has nothing to do with genetic factors, but the susceptibility to metabolic disorders and other diseasesMay cause joint problems;
Heavy objects on the pelvis, especially athletes who run, jump, and lift weights;
Obesity, even a slight increase in weight may be harmful to the joints, which will increase the burden on the joints, so obese people are more likely to suffer from joint diseases;
Injuries, fractures, pelvic contusions;
Endocrine disorders, such as diabetes can cause bone problems;
Inflammatory infection process in the body, such as purulent or rheumatoid arthritis;
There are problems with the spine or bones (flat feet, scoliosis, osteochondrosis), these problems can change the posture and pressure of the joints;
Hormonal imbalance;
weaken the blood circulation in the tissue;
Sedentary lifestyle;
Old age, this is related to deterioration of tissue nutrition.

Degree of hip joint disease

Doctors can distinguish 3 stages or stages of disease development, which will help distinguish the main symptoms. It is important to know that when the diagnosis is made in stage 1, it is very possible to completely cure the disease and forget for many years, while in stage 3, the only correct decision will be surgery, otherwise the patient will face the threat of disability.

Phase 1

The following symptoms will help determine whether there is arthritis in the 1st degree hip joint:

Pain immediately after the joint is under heavy load;
Only localize the pain in the bone connection area;
The gait remains unchanged.
No la line;
The muscles maintain their strength and shape.

During a computer diagnosis, the doctor may notice bone growth on the joint surface, especially along the inner and outer edges of the acetabulum. At this stage, the correct choice of drugs can fully restore the function of your joints, but not everyone sees a doctor when the pain first manifests.

Acknowledge that a little discomfort usually makes you think of stretching, dislocating, and fatigue. We started to use different creams and ointments to abrade the painful areas and try to use folk methods to heal them without understanding the reasons and wasting precious time. Therefore, if you experience leg pain, the first thing to do is to see a doctor and set aside some time for yourself-this is the key to longevity, fulfillment and happiness!

The second stage

If the problem is not diagnosed and resolved immediately, grade 2 arthritis gradually develops, which is characterized by the following symptoms:

Even if not exercising, there will be more frequent pain;
The pain is no longer limited to the area where the bones are connected, but radiates to the thigh, groin, and back;
The movement is restricted, the person cannot completely move his leg to the side;
The line la appears.

During the inspection, the image shows the growth of bones at the edge of the cavity, the enlargement of the top of the bone, the displacement and destruction of its edges.

Fortunately, with the help of complex treatment methods, second-degree arthritis can still be treated conservatively.

Phase 3

Well, this is really bad for patients who seriously neglect their health and suffer from stage III arthritis. This is typical:

Pain all the time, even without physical exertion;
Need to use crutches or crutches;
Atrophy means shortening of the muscles of the affected leg and a change in posture.

During the examination, the doctor found a lot of bone growth, the size of the bone edges increased, and the joint space decreased. And there is only one way out-this is a kind of surgery that replaces the unusable joint with a special artificial prosthesis.

Logo

We have briefly mentioned the symptoms of the disease, and we need to summarize all of these symptoms.

Hip joint disease manifested as:

Severe joint pain, which can further radiate to the legs, groin, and knees;

Impaired movement, difficulty walking without support;
shortening of the diseased limb;
Bad posture;
The range of motion of the affected joint is reduced;

X-ray shows muscle atrophy;

MRI shows that there is a problem with the soft tissue and inflammation;

CT shows bone growth.

The symptoms are obvious, but not so simple. Therefore, for one of these symptoms, it is necessary to consult a specialist for diagnosis, because it can be arthritis or other diseases with similar symptoms.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of this disease should be done by more than one doctor, because pelvic pain can cause various diseases.

Like this:

ruled out or confirmed the existence of intervertebral hernias, which sometimes cause the same symptoms as arthritis;
Urologists examine male prostatitis, these diseases usually cause pelvic pain and radiation to the legs;
Gynecologists are looking for patients’ adhesions, and they are also very similar in the performance of this disease;
A rheumatologist is a narrow expert who is responsible for dealing with such problems. He will help determine the stage, cause and treatment of the disease;
When patients need surgery, surgeons and orthopedics will come in handy in the late stages.

Therefore, in order to make a correct diagnosis, it will not be possible to visit the doctor only once. In addition, you still need to pass the test:

Urine and blood are used for clinical and biochemical analysis of inflammation in the body;
MRI is used to examine soft tissues;
CT for examining bones;
X-rays will show bone damage;
arthroscopy is required.
Sometimes an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs is required.

The success of treatment depends on the correct diagnosis, the degree of injury and the cause of the deformity. For example, if osteoarthritis causes bone tuberculosis, conventional treatments are prohibited, and in the case of metabolic disorders, the root cause must first be eliminated, and then the consequences must be eliminated.

Treatment of hip joint arthritis

The most effective treatment is in the early stages, and then you can just use various drugs. How to treat inflammation-the doctor decides after a series of studies. Treatment largely depends on the cause and extent of the damage, but mainly they try to relieve pain, eliminate inflammation, and improve blood circulation. For this, they use:

Non-steroidal drugs can relieve inflammation;
Painkillers can restore patients to normal life and make walking easier;
Muscle relaxants can restore blood circulation in diseased parts of the body;
Cartilage protectant, helps prevent the deformation of cartilage tissue;
Use steroid injections when the pain gets worse.
Vasodilators.

In addition to pills, injections and ointments, treatment also includes the use of special diet and exercise therapy. A series of measures can help significantly improve the condition and restore leg mobility.

Surgery

If conservative treatment does not bring significant results or the disease is diagnosed in the final stage, there is only one way out-this is an operation. The process is very complicated. In rare cases, it may lead to rejection or risk of thromboembolism and other fatal complications. At the same time, for severely ill patients, this is the only opportunity for a normal life, because with artificial joints, people who have recovered and recovered will be able to walk around peacefully.

As with any operation, patients with hip joint disease must be prepared for general anesthesia in advance, and they are not allowed to eat or drink before the operation and clean their intestines. Then, wrap his legs with an elastic bandage to avoid edema, put it on his side and immerse himself in sleep. After that, the doctor made an incision in the thigh, opened the channel to the joint, cut off the bone of the femur, and then put a pin on the nail, and the titanium alloy head was fixed on the nail.

The damaged pelvic bone tissue will also be removed and replaced with a polymer pad to allow normal movement of the legs in the future. Next, suture the wound and put a bandage on it. After recovery, the recovery period is still going on, but without rejection, a person can walk for 20 years or even a lifetime, and walk peacefully with artificial joints without feeling pain and stiffness.

Cartilage protector

Due to the disease, it can be observed that the hip joint loses mobility, tissue changes, cartilage destruction and bone growth in its place. Fortunately, effective drugs have been invented to restore cartilage tissue. They are also called chondroprotectants, which means "protection of cartilage" in Latin.

So what can these drugs do?

Stop the process of destroying cartilage tissue;
Promote the metabolism of joints;
Stimulate the production of synovial fluid, that is, natural lubrication, usually produced in cartilage tissue, and promote easy sliding of bones in joints;
Reduce inflammation;
Helps joint movement.

The preparation can contain two main ingredients-glucosamine and chondroitin.

As for the form of the medicine, it may be different, from tablets, capsules, ointments, creams to injections. The attending physician should take into account the characteristics of the organism, and prescribe the choice, dosage and duration of use of the drug. However, injections are usually given during exacerbations, and then the patient is transferred to milder treatment, which can last for several months, at least six months. After all, restoring cartilage tissue is a long thing, but it allows you to return to movement without surgery.

Injection

In some cases, the treatment of the disease involves injections. Only doctors should do this, and only use this solution in extreme cases, because treating the disease in this way is risky. The fact is that the gap between the bones of the hip joint is very small, and the stenosis of the hip joint will shrink even further. As a result, sometimes even experienced physicians cannot access the joint capsule itself, and there is a high risk of touching nerves and blood vessels.

At the same time, sometimes injection is the only way to relieve pain and inflammation; different drugs are used for these purposes:

Corticosteroids are used to relieve pain, injected once every two weeks, no more than 7 times per treatment course;
The chondroprotectant helps restore tissues, stimulate the production of synovial fluid, make bones slide normally, and improve tissue elasticity. In the form of injection, the drug acts faster than the tablet or ointment, so that the drug can be delivered directly to the destination.
Hyaluronic acid is the newest way to relieve inflammation and pain. After trying all other medicines and failing to obtain the desired results, the effect is long-lasting and one injection.

Physical Therapy

Unfortunately, in the process of fighting hip joint arthritis, the physiotherapy procedure is ineffective due to the deep bedding of the affected area. However, sometimes doctors prescribe treatments to relieve pain.

Massage

If medical massage is performed by professionals, it will help improve the blood circulation of the joints, restore mobility and stop tissue destruction. However, it is only instructed to use it during remission and when there is no pain.

In addition, to get a clear result, you don't need to see a specialist once, but two or three courses a year to maintain the condition of bones and joints.

Folk remedies for hip arthritis

Although only folk remedies, especially in serious and advanced forms, it is quite difficult to completely cure hip joint disease, and even doctors recognize the effectiveness of natural medicine. Many formulas based on herbs, roots and essential oils can significantly relieve the patient’s condition, prevent the destruction of cartilage and the formation of bone and scar tissue, and stimulate the production of synovial fluid, which is very important in fighting disease.

For the most effective treatment and positive results, it is worth discussing with your doctor what alternative methods you can use at home.

Some of the most popular tools:

Perestroot ointment. To prepare it, the roots must be crushed in a coffee grinder, mixed with melted pork fat in a ratio of 2: 3, boiled on low heat for 5 minutes, cooled and lubricated with ingredients from the sore parts at night for a month. Then rest for a week and continue treatment;

Folk remedies for treating hip joint disease

Use celandine ointment-dry 7 plants, cut the leaves from the stems and chop them, pour in 1 cup of olive oil, and let stand in the cold for 14 days, after which the medicine will turn into jelly. Then it melts in the hands. Lubricate the affected area with a certain substance every night;
Every day birch leaves, linden flowers, parsley are dried, chopped, brewed instead of tea and drinks;
Wash the lemons, chop them, and pour 1 liter. Boil water, filter after a few hours, add honey, drink three times a day;
Mix equal amounts of honey, iodine, ethanol and glycerin, leave it for 3-4 hours, lubricate the skin on the joint 3 times a day with a cotton swab;
Take 60 grams of five-petal leaves and elemi root and mix with 0. 5 liters. Vodka, please infuse it in a cool place for a day, tighten it, 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals, 25 to 30 drops each time, and can also be used for friction.

Exercise methods for hip joint arthritis

Specially selected exercises will help significantly improve hip joint disease, and the doctor will recommend some exercises. Before using them, you must consult your doctor, because choosing incorrect complexes and contraindications can cause greater harm to your health.

For example, treating arthritis through physical exercise is very dangerous-full of greater pain and tissue destruction.

Gymnastics is also prohibited under the following circumstances:

Obvious pain during exercise;
Increased body temperature;
Deterioration of chronic disease;
Menstruation;
Hernia;
Severe heart and lung disease.

It is believed that therapeutic exercises for hip joint disease should be aimed at restoring muscles and ligaments, but not to stress the already fragile joints. Therefore, it is not suitable for dynamic exercise, but more suitable for static exercise. I am also very happy to be able to perform this set of exercises at any convenient time without having to spend money and energy to see an expert, and given its effectiveness, not using this generic drug would constitute a crime.

Here are some exercises:

Lie on your back, raise the sick leg by 10-15 cm, freeze for 20-30 seconds, repeat this operation on the other leg;
Perform the same action, but very quickly, only hold the leg for 1-2 seconds;
is not raising straight legs, but raising legs at right angles to the knees;
Lie on your back, tear your legs off the floor and hold for a few seconds, then slowly stretch to the sides, connect again, and then lower to the floor;
Lie on your side, bend your calf, raise your thigh and hold it at an angle of about 45 degrees, wait 30 seconds, return to the starting position, and repeat with the other leg;
Perform the previous exercise, but alternately rotate the feet outward and inward at the same time.

Yes, it is not recommended to practice only by describing exercises and videos. It is best to discuss this with a doctor, or even visit a rehabilitation specialist several times, because for different types of diseases, it is necessary to adjust the complex to avoid complications.

Nutrition

Since osteoarthritis is largely dependent on metabolism, it is important to adhere to proper nutrition when treating diseases. Should be often but not too much. Exclude:

Salty food;
Fatty broth, mayonnaise, oil, dairy products (sour cream, cream);
Preservative;
Baked goods made of high-quality flour;
Smoked.

These should be replaced with more cartilage friendly:

Milk and low-fat dairy products are especially important because cheese promotes tissue regeneration and calcium absorption;
Lean fish;
Beans, mushrooms, buckwheat, lentils rich in plant protein;
Meat, fish, jelly, which contain collagen;
Vegetables, fruits;
Complex carbohydrates (dried fruits, honey).

Drinking plenty of liquids is important to maintain salt balance.

Appropriate nutrition helps to remove uric acid, which is dangerous to joints. It can reduce inflammation, remove excess weight and swelling, thereby reducing the burden on the diseased area and even restoring cartilage tissue. The maximum effect can be achieved in the first stage of the disease.

Prevention

If there is a disease in the family, or if hip arthritis already exists and has been successfully treated, then correct and regular prevention is very important, including the following:

Proper nutrition, which contains all the vitamins and trace elements required for normal tissue metabolism;
Weight control to avoid extra load;
Moderate physical activity to avoid injury and the ability to exercise the diseased joints in a way that is overworked;
Beware of hypothermia, as it may increase body temperature. It is important to get dressed, wrap the basin in cold weather, and avoid sitting on a cold surface and staying in a draught place.
Lead a healthy lifestyle, walk in the fresh air and gently strengthen the leg muscles.

Osteoarthritis is a very unpleasant disease. Without proper treatment, bone fusion can lead to wheelchair disability and life deterioration. Therefore, when symptoms first appear, you should see a doctor for diagnosis and help. Timely and comprehensive treatment can help you get rid of the problem and live comfortably.