Each of our joints has two surfaces that fit together like a key to a lock. All bulges on one articular surface correspond to depressions on the other. This exact coincidence of surfaces has a medical name - congruence. From above, the ends of the bones that make up the joint are covered with cartilage for better gliding. The joint bag, ligaments and muscles protect the joint. With osteoarthritis, one of the most common diseases of the joints, cartilage and bone surfaces are destroyed. At the same time, little is produced of a special joint fluid, which ensures smooth movements, the ends of the bones come together and begin to rub against each other, bringing pain and discomfort to their owner. Meanwhile, with osteoarthritis, there is formally no inflammation in the joint, which distinguishes it from arthritis.
Why osteoarthritis of the hip joint occurs: age
A disaster like osteoarthritis can happen in any joint in our body. Defeat is unilateral and bilateral. Age, overweight, injuries, flat feet, spinal scoliosis, arthritis, joint dislocation, excessive load, but at the same time, a sedentary lifestyle contribute to the onset of the disease. Joints are made to move! Meanwhile, upright posture predisposes to osteoarthritis of the human hip joint. In animals, this disease does not happen, in them the load on the joints is more evenly distributed.
The hip joint is second in terms of range of motion after the shoulder joint. And indeed, normally, we can move the leg back and forth, out and in, and even rotational movements. This joint carries a very high load. It consists of the head of the femur and a cavity in the pelvic bone. Osteoarthritis of this joint is medically known as coxarthrosis. A large number of people suffer from this disease. Women are more often sick and, of course, the peak of the disease occurs after the age of 40. In 70% of cases, this is due to the natural wear and tear of the joint, impaired blood supply and metabolism in it.
Signs of joint damage: pain when walking and at rest
The first symptom of osteoarthritis of the hip joint is groin pain when climbing stairs. There may be no pain when going down stairs. Later, the pain may start to spread to the knee. Some of the various movements in the joint will be limited. For example, lifting the leg, that is, bending it at the hip, can be painful, but taking the leg backwards is not. Turning the leg inwards is painful, and moving it to the side is also painful but tolerable. It is often not possible to kneel, as this movement also involves the hip joint. And restrictions in mobility arise not only because of pain, but also because of changes in the joint itself.
Due to the fact that the hip joint is involved in walking, running and a number of other movements, its defeat imposes social restrictions on the patient. And with osteoarthritis of the third degree, the pain already bothers you not only during movements, but also at rest, in particular, they do not allow you to sleep at night. It's hard to turn over in bed. And sometimes the pain is so severe that it forces the patient to take painkillers constantly, which in itself is not always harmless. Thus, frequent use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can lead to the formation or exacerbation of stomach ulcers.
Osteoarthritis treatment: arthroplasty
Many years ago, when modern prosthetic operations were not yet available, surgeons still operated on patients with coxarthrosis. At the same time, the purpose of the operation was not the treatment of arthrosis, but the complete immobilization of the joint. After recovering from this difficult surgical intervention, the patient walked dragging his leg. Many movements were inaccessible to him, but at least they weren't plagued by pain. And so an artificial hip joint was invented and it became possible to help these patients to the fullest - with a new joint, they can walk painlessly and perform other movements, not unlike healthy people. Thus, an 80-year-old patient who underwent arthroplasty of both hip joints came to the doctor with the question "Can I ski? ".
Today, operations for coxarthrosis are an established production. Such treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip joint is available to many people, including the very elderly, unless, of course, there are no contraindications for life, such as serious diseases of the heart, lungs and other organs. What is the essence of the operation? We have an absolutely inoperative joint, its cartilaginous layer is worn out, everything is covered with vegetation and does not move.
How is osteoarthritis surgery performed?
Next, you need to understand how the femur is organized: it has a head that enters the joint and a trochanter, to which many muscles that move the leg are attached. It's the skewer we feel through the skin. So, during the operation, the bone head is removed and the trochanter is left. Cartilage remains are also removed from the cavity in the pelvic bone. An artificial joint head is placed in its place. The head "sits" on a metal rod, which is attached to the femur. The incision is made in the inguinal region, its length is only 7-8 cm.
On the first day after the operation, the patient is lifted, on the third day they are forced to walk. And within one to two months, these patients fully restore range of motion in the joint. Obviously, after this treatment of arthrosis, a certain motor regime is necessary, which contributes to recovery. But that's the doctor's concern - to give competent advice, to teach how to use this new word of technology in the body itself.
Dentures are made of lightweight and durable materials, which makes them durable. There are different prostheses. The doctor selects the ideal based on the person's age, their other movement "claims", and other factors. And in our country, many of these operations are done completely free of charge. You will have to wait in line for quite some time, but half a year is not a dozen years! And endoprostheses will be performed. Today, thanks to advances in medicine, with coxarthrosis you can get rid of pain and lead an active lifestyle. The main thing is to consult a doctor in time, because the more advanced the arthrosis of the hip joint, the more difficult it is to treat the patient, even with the help of modern technologies.