Degrees of deforming arthrosis of the hip joint and their treatment

Deforming osteoarthritis (coxarthrosis) is a severe hip joint lesion characterized by its deformity and impaired limb functionality. To treat this disease is extremely difficult, and a complete cure is very rare, only in those cases when the disease was caught at an early stage. Coxarthrosis is diagnosed in the second or third stage, when the pain syndrome is clearly expressed. But, unfortunately, in this case completely the disease can not be cured.

Basic principles of treatment of deforming osteoarthritis

In order to achieve positive results in the treatment of deforming arthrosis of the hip joint, the following principles must be observed:

• first of all to stop painful sensations, for this purpose painkillers are used;
• restore normal trophism of the joint to ensure restoration of cartilaginous tissue;
• normalize blood circulation in the diseased limb;
• minimize stress on the damaged joint;
• Reduce friction between the articular surfaces of bones, increasing the distance between the head of the femur and the acetabulum;
• optimize motor activity;
• In case coxarthrosis develops against other diseases (it is secondary), it is necessary to ensure correct treatment of background diseases.

Which doctor should be treated with suspicion of coxarthrosis

When the appearance of the first clinical manifestations (minor pain and stiffness of the movements), the disease should be addressed to a rheumatologist or orthopedist for a survey. Coxarthrosis I-II degree is usually treated at home.

Treatment of coxarthrosis depending on the degree of development of the disease

Each degree of the disease has its own approach to treatment. Depending on the course of the degenerative-degenerative processes, emphasis is placed on certain parameters of limb restoration.

The first degree of development of coxarthrosis

At the first degree of coxarthrosis the following methods of treatment are used:

1. Anesthesia- because attacks of pain with deforming arthrosis of the first degree appear infrequently and do not differ intensive pain medication is prescribed only to relieve pain during exacerbation.
2. Selectioncomplex exercises of medical gymnastics. Scientists have proved that correctly performed complex of exercise therapy prevents further development of the disease and helps in the first stage of the disease to strengthen the muscles of the thigh and prevent further damage the joint.
3. It is necessary to lose excess weight (if it is) and not to allow its repeated recruitment, sobalanced diet- one of the methods of combating coxarthrosis.
4. PhysiotherapyIt is used to facilitate movements in the joint and is selected strictly individually.
5. The course of massage.

The second degree of deforming arthrosis of the hip joint

Since the clinical manifestations of the disease in the second stage are more pronounced, the range of treatment methods used is quite wide.

Medication

For the relief of pain and the removal of the inflammatory process, the following groups of drugs are used:

1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugsyou can buy in a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription, but in order to pick them up, it is better to contact a specialist. Of this group of drugs, paracetamol, ibuprofen, movalis, mexylocam often are prescribed.
2. Pain and anti-inflammatory ointments and gelson the basis of diclofenac and other substances from the group of anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal.
3. Intra-articular injections of corticosteroids- these drugs have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, with the introduction of the inside of the joint have a strong and rapid therapeutic effect.
4. Injection of hyaluronic acidto normalize the composition of the synovial fluid.
5. Chondroprotectorson the basis of glucosamine and chondroitin stimulate the regenerative functions of the cartilaginous tissue.
6. Anesthetics based on narcotic substancesare prescribed for severe, intolerable pain, which can not be stopped with nonsteroidal agents.

Physiotherapy and massage

Physiotherapeutic procedures and a course of massage help to stop pain, increase motor activity in the joint, and strengthen the muscles.

In coxarthrosis of the second degree, the following procedures are used:

• compresses (cold and hot);
• stimulation of nerve endings by means of electrical impulses;
• UHF (ultrahigh-frequency therapy);
• electrophoresis with enzymes (lidase) and anesthetics (novocaine);
• magnetotherapy;
• acupuncture.

Physiotherapy

For each patient the complex of therapeutic gymnastics is selected individually and conducted under medical supervision.

The third stage of coxarthrosis

In the third stage, conservative treatment and physiotherapy are practically useless, since the development of destructive changes cartilage and bone tissue leads to severe pain and a significant restriction of movement, sometimes to complete immobility (ankylosis).

Most often at this stage of the disease, endoprosthetics are necessary, the remaining measures will only help temporarily to relieve the pain. Surgery is performed under general anesthesia or epidural anesthesia and can be total (when a head replacement of the femur and acetabulum is needed) or partial.

Prevention of development of deforming arthrosis of the hip joint is to maintain the principles of active lifestyles and rational nutrition, avoidance of heavy physical exertion on the joint (especially if one of the relatives has a similar pathology), attentive attitude towards his health. With the timely start of treatment, coxarthrosis has a positive prognosis - do not forget about it.