How to treat hip joint arthrosis - methods and tools

Coxarthrosis is a disease that affects the patient's hip joint. Treatment is long-term. Just a few decades ago, such a diagnosis was a punishment for the patient who promised it: excruciating pain, gradual decrease in movement, and early disability.

But thanks to the most effective modern treatment methods, not only can stop the degenerative process, but also can completely cure coxarthrosis at an early stage.

Understanding the causes of disease has encouraged the use of integrated approaches in therapy. Treatment of arthrosis of the hip joint can include medication intake and physiotherapy methods.

What is hip arthrosis

Arthrosis is a disease in which the normal structure of joint cartilage tissue is disrupted. Unlike arthritis, the cause of the defect is not inflammation of the infectious tissue, but a violation of metabolic processes.

Arthritis of the deformed hip joint, with rare exceptions, is observed in patients over 40 years of age. The pathological development is as follows:

• Metabolism is disrupted. Cartilage has no blood vessels, so it is nourished by nearby muscle tissue. For a variety of reasons, nutrient synthesis is disrupted.
• Due to inadequate nutrition, cartilage begins to lose its elasticity. Over time, it becomes thinner. Interosseous lumen is significantly reduced. Arthrosis of the hip joint of grade 3 is characterized by the fact that the growths of bone tissue rub against each other. Cartilage is almost non-existent.

• Loading of bone, reduction of cartilage thickness contributes to bone tissue deformation.

After the onset of degenerative changes, it can take many years for the patient to experience the third stage of the disease, but in unfavorable conditions and not following precautions, pathological changes can occur more quickly.

How arthrosis manifests itself

Symptoms of arthrosis of the hip joint and its nature depend on the stage of development of the disease. The most common symptom is pain. Because of the pain, patients often see a doctor for qualified help. Moreover, the anxiety of the disease is that in the early stages of degenerative changes, pain, as a rule, does not cause significant discomfort, is short-lived and is often associated with normal fatigue.

Delay leads to the fact that the most appropriate moment to start treatment is delayed, and to cure grade 2 hip arthrosis requires more time and effort. Chances for a successful prognosis are still there, provided the therapy is set correctly.

Symptoms of the disease are:

1. Pain - can appear on the thighs, groin and on the joints themselves. Be careful if pain symptoms appear during rest. This indicates the need for an immediate visit to the arthrologist.
2. Stiffness of movement, limp. It is observed after short leg movements, for example, after sleep.
3. Over time, sore feet become shorter than healthy ones, muscle tissue atrophy is observed, which is obvious.

In the diagnosis of a disease, one cannot do without modern diagnostic studies. Therefore, grade 1 hip arthrosis is diagnosed only with the help of X-rays, CT and MRI. The picture clearly shows the changes and narrowing of the interosseous lumen.

Stages of hip arthrosis

After diagnosing the pathology, the patient is coded according to ICD 10. This is an international disease classification, which is reviewed every 10 years.

Thanks to the code provided, not only statistics are collected. Therapy that gives the most significant results can be selected. Thanks to international cooperation, the medical treatment of hip arthrosis has improved over time.

It is recognized in world practice that hip joint arthrosis has three stages or stages of development. Each of them has its own symptomatology. Namely:

1. First stage.Painful sensations appear only against the background of excessive activity: running, exercising, exercising, and so on. Pain is concentrated mainly in the joint area. The pain usually goes away on its own after resting. In this case, the movement of the legs is completely fixed, the muscle strength is not limited. First-degree arthrosis can only be diagnosed with X-rays or tomography. The picture clearly shows a small defect in bone tissue that does not go beyond what is called the articular lip. Joint gaps are slightly narrower, usually in uneven areas.
2. The second stage.Characterized by pain that begins to spread to the groin, thigh. May occur spontaneously during rest. Pain in the arthrosis of the hip joint in the second stage does not go away on its own and requires the patient to take anesthesia. The range of motion is disturbed, and muscle tissue atrophy is observed. The picture clearly shows bone growth and femoral head deformity. Probably the appearance of cysts in the most loaded part of the thigh - the acetabulum. Diagnosis of arthrosis in the second stage is carried out quickly. Even with cursor examination, pathological changes are evident. An X-ray or MRI is performed to see the extent of the defect.
3. Third level.Pain begins to become chronic. It is possible to diagnose arthrosis even without a thorough examination. The patient cannot move without a crutch, there is a pelvic inclination, which causes the legs to become shorter. While moving, the patient should tilt his torso on the damaged joint. As a result, this leads to greater degenerative changes. The picture shows a broad bone defect. Joint gaps are almost invisible.

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

How to treat arthrosis in the hip joint

Regardless of what is used, gymnastics for hip joint arthrosis or taking medication, all approaches are based on six basic principles. Namely:

• Relieves pain.
• Give normal nutrition to cartilage tissue and, if possible, restore.
• Increases blood flow to the affected area.
• Reduces pressure on joints.
• Strengthens atrophic muscles.
• Restore joint mobility.

To achieve all six goals, it is necessary to use complex therapies. So, for example, by fixing the injection into the joint, but without taking care of the reduction of the load on it, it is possible to cancel all the beneficial effects of chondroprotectors. Not surprisingly, in world practice, 2 to 10 different approaches are usually used simultaneously, depending on the patient's condition.

How to treat hip arthrosis

A comprehensive approach to the treatment of hip joints gives better results than using just one therapeutic agent - this is a fact recognized by the world's leading arthrologists. Therefore, it is not uncommon for patients to simultaneously prescribe several types of treatment from the following:

• NSAIDs- a non-steroidal drug for relieving inflammatory processes is a "classic" treatment. Medications for arthrosis of the hip joint must be prescribed either with non-steroidal drugs, or in their composition. NSAIDs are very effective during the worsening of the disease. They help relieve pain and reduce swelling. Reception makes it possible to do exercise therapy exercises for arthrosis of the hip joint, go to massages, gymnastics and other physiotherapy procedures. The disadvantage of NSAIDs is its negative effect on the gastric mucosa. Patients need to understand that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for hip arthrosis do not cure the disease, but simply relieve symptoms, making therapy possible.
• Chondroprotectors and hyaluronic acid.These drugs are a new stage in the treatment of hip joints, so they can be distinguished into separate groups.
  1. Chondroprotectors are prescribed as a restorative therapy. With prolonged use, chondroprotectors restore damaged cartilage tissue, but its effectiveness is limited by the early stages of the disease.
  2. Hyaluronic acid forms the layer between the bones, thus reducing pressure on the joints. Effective as a restorative therapy.
• Muscle relaxation- is a vasodilating drug and can relieve muscle tissue spasms. It is prescribed to reduce the load on the joints. Muscle relaxation can only be used as part of a complex drug therapy.
• Anesthetic ointment- although there are advertisements about the ointment as a magic remedy to relieve the disease, in fact it only relieves the symptoms of the disease. On the other hand, painkillers in the form of ointments increase the effectiveness of conservative treatment, which allows you to relieve swelling and alleviate the patient's condition.
• Intra-articular injection- designed to relieve pain, restore cartilage or provide protection from excessive pressure on the joints. The most commonly used drug is corticosteroids. They relieve pain by letting patients begin treatment with physical therapy. Corticosteroid groups may also include hyaluronic acid preparations. The effectiveness of intra-articular injections is highly dependent on how experienced the surgeon is (according to statistics, 30% of doctors, when performing manipulations, lose joint capsules).

Some drugs can be harmful to the body. It is strictly forbidden to cure oneself!

The hip joint wrap will relieve pressure on the joint and reduce the factor, which is a major cause of tissue irritation leading to inflammatory processes. Therefore, along with drug therapy, fixation of the damaged area is often prescribed.

Alternative methods and physiotherapy

In addition to prescribing anti-inflammatory drugs, intra-articular injections and other medications, patients can undergo physiotherapy and use the help of non-traditional therapeutic methods.

• Manual therapy- this procedure has a milder effect on damaged tissue than massaging the hip joint for arthrosis. Any aggressive effect on the damaged area can easily trigger the onset of the inflammatory process. In our area, manual therapy is not yet common, but in the West it is widespread and is one of the official methods of therapy.
• Physical therapyfor arthrosis deformity is a wide area where patients can choose between traditional and non-traditional methods. With hip arthrosis, Pilates, yoga is very popular, as well as exercises in water and other methods to restore the function of atrophic muscles. Physical education and moderate exercise, along with medications, have a beneficial effect and contribute to the patient's recovery.
• Traditional medicine- most arthrologists oppose this method as independent therapy. And their opinions are justified. A large number of patients, after refusing traditional medical help, caused them to have a disability. But under the supervision of the attending physician, effective treatment of hip joint arthrosis with folk remedies is possible. Most of the ingredients and infusions used have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Some drug charges have serious contraindications, so you should consult an arthrologist before taking them. It is recommended to use unconventional alternative methods to treat hip joint arthrosis with caution. A number of recipes not only do not contribute to the increase, but also lead to the opposite effect, which leads to accelerated cartilage destruction.
• Homeopathy- helps normalize the synthesis of substances in the body. Homeopathy is very effective in post-traumatic arthrosis, which allows you to overcome the main factors that cause the development of the disease.
• Apitherapy- treatment with bee stings is very effective, it allows you to combine the effects of acupuncture and drug therapy. Not surprisingly, many warming and effective ointments contain processed bee venom. Apitherapy is often more effective than hip blocks. The ease of use of apitherapy should be decided by the attending physician.
• Magnetotherapy- used as an adjunct treatment and prevention of disease. The magnetic effect increases blood flow to tissues, helping to restore metabolic processes. Dispose of salt storage.
• Hirudotherapy- leech therapy has been used for centuries. It has been shown that the saliva of leeches, which enter the bloodstream, contains substances that induce its dilution. As a result, blood can even enter the capillary atrophy and blood vessels.
• Mud therapy- has a mild warming effect, helps get the necessary nutrients. Proper application of mud therapy can reduce inflammation and pain. It is prohibited with purulent arthrosis of the hip joint. It is prescribed carefully in the presence of blood clots and vascular disease.
• Shilajit for arthrosis- used in pure form and as part of colors and compresses. The beneficial substances that make up Mumiyo encourage tissue regeneration. Mumiyo is very effective in the early stages of the disease.
• Self-massage- applause and sharp aggressive pressure are not included. During massage, it is necessary to ensure blood and lymph flow. An experienced chiropractor or massage therapist will indicate the type of movement and its direction.

Treatment of hip joint arthrosis at home using non-traditional methods must be supplemented with proper nutrition.

Losing weight by only 5 kg will reduce the likelihood of the onset of inflammatory processes around 30%.

Arthrosis of the hip joint and pregnancy

Pregnancy with arthrosis of the hip joint is a double stress for the female body. A large number of drugs are prohibited during pregnancy. At the very least, they must be taken with care so as not to endanger the baby.

If hip arthrosis during pregnancy is in the early stages, drug treatment is recommended to be delayed until after childbirth.

It is possible to give birth with arthrosis in the hip joint, but it is necessary to understand all the risks associated with this. Postpartum complications are not uncommon, and cartilage tissue deformation occurs at an accelerated rate.

Even when planning a child, it is necessary to undergo a complete body examination. All medications, ointments, painkillers can be taken only as directed by a doctor.

Due to arthrosis

In the later stages of the disease, it is impossible to cure coxarthrosis in the usual way. Surgery is required. This operation is the last resort and can be done in different ways.

1. Joint replacement- completely restores all motor functions. The disadvantage of this solution is the limited duration of the prosthesis. On average, after 15 years, a second operation is needed to replace it.
2. Laser therapy for controlled arthrosiship joints - 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 surgery are temporary, but without them the patient becomes disabled.

Early diagnosis of coxarthrosis and prescribed rehabilitation therapy are the only reliable ways to fight the disease. Ignoring symptoms leads to disability.