Hip arthropathy is a progressive degenerative dystrophic disease based on functional and structural wear and tear of the hip joint.
At first, the articular cartilage is pulled into the process and it becomes thinner and more fragmented. As the pathological process progresses, bone growths begin to form along the articular surface. Among disorders of the musculoskeletal system, hip arthropathy accounts for 39% to 48% of cases.
Typically, the disease occurs in people over the age of 40, with equal incidence in women and men. The only gender difference was that hip joint disease was more severe in women than in men.
Assign the primary and secondary joints of the hip. If primary hip disease is diagnosed, the cause of the process cannot be determined. In primary hip arthropathy, other joints can be involved in the process at the same time - knee, spine.
Secondary osteoarthritis of the hip occurs in the context of existing pathologies of the hip: congenital dislocation, Perthes disease, joint inflammation, trauma. The classification of hip disease depends on the cause of the disease.
What is Hip Disease
- Involution - occurs due to age-related changes
- Dysplasia - in the context of congenital joint dysplasia
- Post-traumatic - after neck, femoral head fractures
- Post-infection - as a complication of purulent, allergic processes in the joints
- Abnormal - due to long-term corticosteroid use
- Metabolism - developed due to metabolic disorders
- Hip hip disease - as a complication of Perthes disease
- Idiopathic - Cause unknown (primarily).
Causes of hip osteoarthritis
- Continued overloading of the joints (professional athletes, people who walk a lot, people who are overweight are at risk)
- Joint trauma (if you have a previous hip neck or head fracture, arthropathy may develop over time)
- Burden genetics (if your relatives have metabolic problems and weak bone tissue, you are at risk). However, there is no clear genetic relationship between patients with hip arthropathy.
- Previously metastatic arthritis - an inflammatory process in the joint (even with treatment) that may trigger hip disease in the future
- Hormonal and metabolic changes - in the context of impaired metabolism, hip arthropathy may develop.
Symptoms of Hip Osteoarthritis
The main symptoms of hip disease are thigh and groin pain, lameness, shortening of the affected leg, and atrophy of the thigh muscles.
There are three degrees of hip disease or stages of the disease depending on the severity of symptoms and changes on X-rays:
- Level 1: Pain in the joint area only occurs after overwork and disappears with rest. Only small bone growths can be identified on an X-ray.
- Grade II: The pain becomes more severe and occurs in the knee and groin. It can happen even while resting. Gait changes. X-ray showed obvious bone hyperplasia.
- Level 3: Pain becomes an eternal companion, disturbing even in dreams. The patient can only move with crutches. Radiographically, extensive skeletal growth, deformity of the femoral head can be identified; in the upper lateral portion, the joint space can hardly be identified.
Treatment of hip joint disease
Hip disease is a disease that gradually leads to disability. This is why the treatment of hip arthropathy should be done under the close supervision of an experienced doctor. Depending on the severity of the condition, he will choose the appropriate treatment plan to help you get back into a normal lifestyle.
The first step in treatment is to "unload" the diseased joint: you will need to reduce your motor activity and choose an assisted movement method (eg, a cane).
The next step is medication: pain relievers, NSAIDs, vasodilators, chondroprotectants.
If the disease has spread, an arthroplasty - replacement of the hip joint is required. Thanks to surgery like this, patients who have lost hope of being able to act independently are once again able to live comfortably and independently.
The outcome of the disease is largely up to the patient himself: whether he will strictly follow the doctor's recommendations and whether he will agree to the surgery. Unfortunately, hip arthropathy of the hip is an ongoing process. And successful victories in the battle against this disease are only the result of patient perseverance.
Prevention of hip joint disease (hip disease)
Any disease is easier to prevent than to treat. How to prevent hip osteoarthritis? No specific preventive measures for hip arthropathy have been developed. However, there is no need to give up and let everything take its course. There are a few general principles, adherence to which will help prevent hip disease:
Rule 1: Strict weight control. People who are overweight are not only at risk for high blood pressure.
Likewise, the extra weight increases the load on the hip joint. Therefore, the slogan "weight loss" is not redundant in preventing hip joint disease.
Rule 2: Appropriate physical activity. As it happens, symptoms of hip joint disease often appear in professional athletes who run and jump.
Excessive loads on the hip can wear it down, and professional athletes can develop hip disease as they age. That's why you shouldn't abuse walking. Any physical activity should be done.
Rule Three: If you have metabolic disorders, you should try to remedy them. It just so happens that metabolic disturbances can lead to a number of concomitant diseases, including hip disease.
This is why any metabolic disorder requires effective treatment. Adjust your metabolism - significantly reduce the risk of hip disease.
Note that it is impossible to prevent hip disease without proper professional options. If you have a history of congenital hip dysplasia, neck fracture, femoral head fracture, hip suppuration, you are at risk.
You should not test fate. Careers related to increased physical activity are taboo for you. But the "sedentary" specials are best for you.
Regular swimming is the best way to prevent hip disease. After all, it is while you are in the water that the joints are unloaded, which is a rest.
The primary prevention of hip joint disease is the timely detection, treatment and monitoring of patients with congenital hip joint defects.
Secondary prevention of hip arthropathy involves timely diagnosis of the initial extent of hip arthropathy, treatment of major manifestations, and slowing of further disease progression. Prompt detection and early treatment of hip arthropathy of the hip can have a positive impact on the further prognosis of the disease.