Arthrosis of the hip joint

Arthrosis of the hip joint (Evaluation) is a progressive degenerative-dystrophic disease of the musculoskeletal system, which is difficult to treat. Pathology is characterized by a chronic course in which there is consistent destruction of the cartilaginous structure and bone tissue of the joint.

According to statistics, almost 40% of all diagnosed musculoskeletal pathologies account for coxarthrosis. And suppose we consider the disease in conjunction with severe consequences, including the risk of a patient becoming disabled. In that case, the need for effective and timely hip evaluation becomes a socially significant task. The disease is faced not only by the elderly but also by the able-bodied part of the population. As a result, a deterioration in the quality of life due to pain, irreversible deformities in the joints and a forced cessation of work.

Therefore, the appearance of pain in the hip joint should not only alert but become a reason for an immediate appeal to a specialist.

Symptoms of arthrosis

It is impossible not to notice the development of arthrosis of the hip joint. The disease gradually progresses, but even at an early stage, it makes itself felt, and the main symptom is pain. Since the joint is destroyed gradually, there are four stages of the disease, each characterized by its symptoms.

In the first stage, the pathology is mild. Symptoms:

• soreness of the anterior and lateral surfaces of the thigh after intense exertion, radiating to the groin;
• the feeling of stiffness in the joint after a period of immobility;
• crackling in the joint when moving.
• In the second stage, the destruction progresses, and patients most often seek help during this period. 

Symptoms:

• constant pain that does not disappear even at rest;
• severe impairment of joint mobility;
• severe lameness due to an instinctive desire to reduce the load on the diseased joint.
• Symptoms of the third stage, in which conservative treatment is no longer effective and surgery is often required:
• severe pain in the joint area, passing to the entire thigh and affecting the knee;
• lameness;
• change in the length of the leg (it becomes longer or shorter) from the side of the diseased joint;
• atrophy of the thigh muscles.

In the fourth stage, the patient constantly experiences severe pain, and the thigh muscles are almost completely atrophied. In this case, doctors most often suggest replacing the destroyed joint with a prosthesis.

Reasons for the development of the disease

Arthrosis of the hip joint can be primary or secondary. In this case, the primary form is typical for elderly patients. The main cause of pathological changes is the natural ageing of the body. Since the articular hip joint experiences significant loads throughout life, it suffers first as we age.

Examination methods

At the first signs of arthrosis, seeking advice from an orthopedist is necessary. First, the doctor examines and listens to the patient’s complaints about the nature of the pain, its intensity, and its localization. The upper part of the thigh is examined to determine possible movements, and the leg is retracted back, forward, to the side.

An additional hip evaluation is prescribed to make an accurate diagnosis. In most cases, x-rays can determine the stage of the disease and the cause of its occurrence. This is the simplest and most accessible method that provides comprehensive information, for example, on previous injuries, changes in the configuration of the femur, the state of the acetabulum or the femoral cervical-diaphyseal angle.

Prevention recommendations

Compliance with the recommendations will minimize the risk of developing arthrosis:

• stop smoking and drinking alcohol;
• include in the diet plant foods, lean meat, cottage cheese, and dairy products;
• perform simple gymnastic exercises daily;
• try to get away from a sedentary lifestyle and introduce aerobic exercise.
• In addition, you should control your weight and prevent the appearance of extra pounds. All patients should follow these recommendations at risk.

If you have problems with the musculoskeletal system and there are symptoms of arthrosis, make an appointment with the clinic’s specialists, “Mother and Child”. The doctor will prescribe an examination and make an accurate diagnosis.