How to treat arthrosis of the hip joint - methods and means

Coxarthrosis is a disease that affects the patient's hip joint.Treatment is long term.Just a few decades ago, such a diagnosis was practically a death sentence for the patient, promising him: severe debilitating pain, gradual decrease in mobility, early disability.

But thanks to modern and more effective treatment methods, it became possible not only to stop the degenerative process, but even to completely cure coxarthrosis in the early stages.

Understanding the causes of the disease gave impetus to the use of an integrated approach in therapy.Treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip joint may include medication and physiotherapeutic methods.

What is hip osteoarthritis

Arthrosis is a disease in which the normal structure of the cartilaginous tissue of the joints is disturbed.Unlike arthritis, the cause of deformation is not infectious tissue inflammation, but a violation of metabolic processes.

Deforming arthrosis of the hip joint, with rare exceptions, is observed in patients over 40 years of age.The development of pathology occurs as follows:

• Metabolism is disturbed.Cartilaginous tissue does not have blood vessels, so its nutrition is provided by adjacent muscle tissue.For various reasons, the synthesis of substances is disturbed.
• Due to insufficient nutrition, cartilage begins to lose elasticity.Over time, this decreases.The interosseous gap is significantly reduced.Arthrosis in the hip joint, grade 3, is characterized by the fact that growths in bone tissue rub against each other.Cartilaginous tissue is practically absent.

• The load on the bones and the decrease in cartilage thickness contribute to the deformation of bone tissue.

After the onset of degenerative changes, it may take years for the patient to develop the third stage of the disease, but under unfavorable circumstances and in the absence of precautions, pathological changes can occur much more quickly.

How does osteoarthritis manifest?

The symptoms of osteoarthritis of the hip joint and their nature depend on the degree of development of the disease.The most characteristic symptom is pain.It is because of pain that patients most often turn to doctors for qualified help.In addition, the insidiousness of the disease lies in the fact that at the initial stage of degenerative changes, pain, as a rule, does not cause major inconvenience, is short-lived and is often attributed to ordinary fatigue.

The delay means that the best time to start treatment is missed and curing grade 2 hip osteoarthritis requires more time and effort.There are still chances of a successful prognosis, as long as the therapy is prescribed correctly.

Symptoms of the disease are:

1. Pain can occur in the hip, groin area and the joint itself.You should be careful if pain symptoms appear at rest.This indicates the need for an urgent visit to the arthrologist.
2. Stiffness of movement, lameness.It is observed after prolonged immobility of the leg, for example after sleeping.
3. Over time, the diseased leg becomes shorter than the healthy one, atrophy of muscle tissue is observed, which can be felt on palpation.

Diagnosis of the disease cannot be made without modern diagnostic studies.Thus, grade 1 hip arthrosis is diagnosed only using radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.The image clearly shows changes and narrowing of the interosseous space.

Stages of hip osteoarthritis

After diagnosing the pathology, the patient is assigned a code according to ICD 10. This is an international classification of diseases, which is revised every 10 years.

Thanks to the assigned code, not only statistical data is collected.Therapies that produced the most significant results can be selected.Thanks to international collaboration, drug treatment for hip osteoarthritis has improved significantly over time.

In world practice, it is recognized that arthrosis of the hip joint has three stages or stages of development.Each of them has its own symptoms.Namely:

1. First stage.Painful sensations occur only against the background of excessive stress: running, exercise, exercise and so on.The pain is mainly concentrated in the joint region.The pain usually goes away on its own after some rest.At the same time, the mobility of the leg remains full, muscle strength is not limited.First-degree osteoarthritis can only be diagnosed using an x-ray or tomography.The image clearly shows small deformations of the bone tissue that do not extend beyond the so-called labrum.The joint space is slightly narrowed, usually in irregular areas.
2. Second stage.Migratory pain is characteristic, starting to spread to the groin and thigh region.It may occur spontaneously during rest.Pain due to arthrosis of the hip joint in the second stage does not go away on its own and requires the patient to take anesthetics.Range of motion is impaired and muscle tissue atrophy is observed.The image clearly shows bone growths and deformations of the femoral head.Perhaps the appearance of a cyst in the most loaded part of the thigh - the acetabulum.The diagnosis of osteoarthritis in the second stage is made quickly.Even with a superficial examination, pathological changes are obvious.X-rays or MRIs are ordered to see the extent of the deformity.
3. Third stage.The pain starts to become chronic.Arthrosis can be determined even without a complete examination.The patient cannot move without a cane;there is a tilt of the pelvis, which leads to shortening of the leg.When moving, the patient must lean the body over the damaged joint.As a result, this leads to even greater degenerative changes.The image shows extensive bone deformation.The joint gap is almost invisible.

Therapeutic treatment of deforming arthrosis of the hip joint is effective only in stages 1-2 of the disease.The third stage of the development of pathology often leads to the need for surgical intervention.

How to treat osteoarthritis in the hip joint

Regardless of what is used, gymnastics for osteoarthritis of the hip joint or the use of medications, all approaches are based on six fundamental principles.Namely:

• Relieve the pain.
• Ensure normal nutrition of cartilaginous tissue and, if possible, restore it.
• Improve blood flow to the affected area.
• Reduce stress on the joint.
• Strengthen atrophied muscles.
• Restore joint mobility.

To achieve all six goals, it is necessary to use complex therapy.So, for example, by prescribing injections into a joint, but without taking care to reduce the load on it, you can nullify all the beneficial effects of chondroprotectors.It is not surprising that in world practice usually from 2 to 10 different approaches are used simultaneously, depending on the patient's condition.

How to treat hip osteoarthritis

An integrated approach to the treatment of the hip joint provides better results compared to the use of only one therapeutic agent - a fact recognized by the world's leading arthrologists.Therefore, the patient often receives several types of treatment simultaneously, including the following:

• NSAIDs- non-steroidal medications to alleviate the inflammatory process are the “classics” of treatment.Medicines for arthrosis of the hip joint are necessarily prescribed in combination with non-steroidal medicines or contain them in their composition.NSAIDs are especially effective during exacerbations of the disease.Helps relieve pain and reduce swelling.The consultation allows you to perform physiotherapeutic exercises for arthrosis of the hip joint, move on to massages, gymnastics and other physiotherapeutic procedures.The disadvantage of NSAIDs is their negative effect on the gastric mucosa.Patients need to understand that non-steroidal medications for the treatment of hip osteoarthritis do not cure the disease, but simply eliminate the symptoms, making therapy possible.
• Chondroprotectors and hyaluronic acid.These drugs are a new stage in the treatment of the hip joint, so they can be divided into a separate group.
  1. Chondroprotectors are prescribed as restorative therapy.With prolonged use, chondroprotectors restore damaged cartilaginous tissue, but their effectiveness is limited to the initial stage of the disease.
  2. Hyaluronic acid creates a layer between the bones, reducing the load on the joint.Effective as a restorative therapy.
• Muscle relaxants- they are vasodilators and allow relieving muscle tissue spasm.Prescribed to reduce the load on the joint.Muscle relaxants can only be used as part of complex drug therapy.
• Pain relieving ointment- despite advertising that speaks of ointments as a way to miraculously eliminate the disease, in fact they only eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of the disease.On the other hand, analgesics in the form of ointments enhance the effectiveness of conservative treatment, allowing the swelling to be relieved and the patient's condition to be alleviated.
• Intra-articular injections- designed to relieve pain, restore cartilage tissue, or provide protection against excessive pressure on a joint.The most commonly used are corticosteroids.They relieve pain, allowing the patient to begin physical therapy treatment.The corticosteroid group also includes hyaluronic acid preparations.The effectiveness of intra-articular injections largely depends on the surgeon's experience (according to statistics, 30% of doctors miss the joint capsule when carrying out manipulations).

Some drugs can harm the body.Self-medication is strictly prohibited!

A bandage on the hip joint will relieve the load on the joint and reduce the factor that is the main reason for the appearance of tissue irritation that leads to the inflammatory process.Therefore, along with drug therapy, fixation of the damaged area is often prescribed.

Non-traditional methods and physiotherapy

In addition to prescribing anti-inflammatories, intra-articular injections and other medications, the patient can undergo physical therapy and take advantage of alternative therapy methods.

• Manual therapy- this procedure has a gentler effect on damaged tissues than massage of the hip joint for arthrosis.Any aggressive impact on the damaged area can easily trigger the beginning of the inflammatory process.In our region we are not yet used to manual therapy, but in the West it is widespread and is one of the official therapy methods.
• Therapeutic exercisewith deforming arthrosis - a wide area in which the patient can choose between traditional and non-traditional methods.For hip osteoarthritis, Pilates, yoga, as well as water exercises and other methods of restoring the function of atrophied muscles are popular.Physical education and moderate exercise, together with medications, have a beneficial effect and contribute to the patient's recovery.
• Traditional medicine- most arthrologists are against this method as an independent therapy.And their opinion has a basis.A large number of patients, having refused the help of traditional medicine, acquired a disability.But under the supervision of the attending physician, effective treatment of arthrosis of the hip joint with folk remedies is quite possible.Most of the herbs and infusions used have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.Some medications have serious contraindications, so before taking them you should consult an arthrologist.Non-traditional folk methods for treating arthrosis of the hip joint are recommended to be used with caution.Some recipes not only do not contribute to improvement, but also lead to the opposite effect, causing accelerated destruction of cartilage.
• Homeopathy- helps to normalize the synthesis of substances in the body.Homeopathy is especially effective in post-traumatic osteoarthritis, allowing you to address the main factor that led to the development of the disease.
• Apitherapy- treatment with bee stings is very effective, allowing you to combine the effects of acupuncture and drug therapy.Not surprisingly, many effective hot ointments contain processed bee venom.Often the use of apitherapy is more effective than a hip block.The appropriateness of using apitherapy should be decided by the treating physician.
• Magnetotherapy- used as auxiliary treatment and disease prevention.The action of a magnet increases blood flow in tissues and helps restore metabolic processes.Removes salt deposits.
• Hirudotherapy- Leech treatment has been used for several centuries.It has been proven that the saliva of leeches, which enters the blood, contains a substance that helps to dilute it.As a result, blood can even enter atrophied capillaries and vessels.
• Mud therapy- has a slight warming effect, helps to obtain essential nutrients.With proper use of mud therapy, the inflammatory process and pain syndrome are reduced.Prohibited for purulent arthrosis of the hip joint.Prescribed with caution in the presence of blood clots and vascular diseases.
• Shilajit for osteoarthritis- used both in pure form and as part of tinctures and compresses.The beneficial substances included in Mumiyo promote tissue regeneration.Mumiyo is especially effective in the early stages of the disease.
• Self-massage- aggressive popping and pressure are eliminated.When massaging, it is necessary to ensure the flow of blood and lymph.An experienced chiropractor or massage therapist will show you the types of movements and their direction.

Treatment of arthrosis of the hip joint at home using unconventional methods should be supplemented with proper nutrition.

Losing just 5 kg will reduce the likelihood of an inflammatory process by approximately 30%.

Osteoarthritis in the hip joint and pregnancy

Pregnancy with arthrosis of the hip joint is a double stress for a woman's body.Taking most medications during pregnancy is prohibited.At the very least, they must be taken with great care so as not to harm the child.

If hip osteoarthritis during pregnancy is at an early stage, it is recommended that drug treatment be postponed until after delivery.

It is possible to give birth with osteoarthritis in the hip joint, but you need to understand all the risks associated with this.Complications after the birth of a child are not uncommon, and deformation of cartilaginous tissue occurs at an accelerated pace.

Even when planning a child, it is necessary to carry out a complete examination of the body.All medications, ointments and painkillers can only be taken as prescribed by a doctor.

Consequences of osteoarthritis

In the later stages of the disease, it becomes impossible to cure coxarthrosis in the usual way.Immediate surgical intervention is required.The operation is a last resort and can be carried out in several ways.

1. Joint replacement- completely restores all motor functions.The disadvantage of the solution is the limited period of use of the prosthesis.On average, after 15 years, a second operation will be required to replace it.
2. Laser therapy for operated arthrosiship joint - used in case of rejection of the articular part of the bone.Using laser therapy, the damaged surface is removed and replaced with an artificial insert.

All types of surgical intervention are temporary, but without them the patient becomes disabled.

Early diagnosis of Coxarthrosis and a properly prescribed course of restorative therapy is the only reliable way to combat the disease.Ignoring symptoms leads to disability.