Each of our joints has two surfaces that fit together like the key to a lock. All swellings on one joint surface correspond to depressions on the other. Such an 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 of a special joint fluid is produced, which ensures smooth movements, the ends of the bones come together and begin to rub against each other, causing pain and discomfort to its owner. Meanwhile, with osteoarthritis, there is formally no inflammation in the joint, which distinguishes it from arthritis.
Why arthrosis of the hip joint occurs: age
Such a disaster as osteoarthritis can happen to any joint in our body. Defeat is one-sided and two-sided. Age, excess weight, injuries, flat feet, spinal scoliosis, arthritis, joint displacement, excessive load on it, but at the same time a sedentary lifestyle contribute to the onset of the disease. Joints are made to move! Meanwhile, the upright posture predisposes to osteoarthritis of the human hip joint. In animals, such a disease does not occur, in them the load on the joints is more evenly distributed.
The hip joint ranks second in terms of range of motion after the shoulder joint. And in fact, normally, we can move the leg back and forth, outwards and inwards, as well as rotational movements. This joint carries a very high load. It consists of the head of the femur and a socket on the pelvic bone. Osteoarthritis of this joint is medically known as coxarthrosis. A huge number of people suffer from this disease. Women are most 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 of the joint, the reduced blood circulation and the metabolism contained in it.
Signs of joint damage: pain when walking and at rest
The first symptom of hip joint osteoarthritis is pain in the groin when climbing stairs. There may be no pain when walking down the stairs. Later, the pain can begin to spread to the knee. Some of the different movements of the joint will be limited. For example, lifting the leg, that is, bending it at the hip, can be painful, but bringing the leg back is not. Turning the leg inward 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 mobility restrictions arise not only due to pain, but also due to changes in the joint itself.
Due to the fact that the hip joint is involved in walking, running and a host of other movements, its defeat imposes social restrictions on the patient. And with third degree osteoarthritis, the pain is already disturbing not only during movements, but also at rest, especially they do not let you sleep at night. It is difficult to turn around in bed. And sometimes the pains are so strong that they force the patient to constantly take painkillers, which in itself is not always harmless. Hence, frequent use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can lead to the formation or exacerbation of stomach ulcers.
Treatment of arthrosis: arthroplasty
Many years ago, when modern prosthetic operations were not yet available, surgeons were still operating 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 surgery, the patient walked by dragging his leg. Many movements were inaccessible to him, but at least they weren't tormented by pain. And then an artificial hip joint was invented and it became possible to help such patients best: with a new joint, they can painlessly walk and perform other movements, no different from healthy people. So, an 80-year-old patient, after having undergone arthroplasty of both hip joints, then went to the doctor with the question "Can I go skiing? ".
Today, operations for coxarthrosis are a consolidated 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 severe diseases of the heart, lungs and other organs. What is the essence of the operation? We have an absolutely non-functional joint, its cartilage layer is worn out, everything is invaded and it doesn't move.
How is osteoarthritis surgery performed?
Next, you need to understand how the femur is arranged: it has a head that enters the joint and a trochanter, to which many muscles that move the leg are attached. It is the spit that we feel through the skin. Then, during the operation, the head of the bone is removed and the trochanter is left. Remnants of cartilage are also removed from the cavity on the pelvic bone. An artificial head of the joint is inserted in its place. The head "sits" on a metal rod, which is attached to the femur. The incision is made in the groin region, its length is only 7-8 cm.
The first day after the operation, the patient is relieved, on the third day he is forced to walk. And within a month or two, these patients fully restore the joint's range of motion. Of course, after such treatment of arthrosis, a certain motor regime is required, which contributes to recovery. But this is the doctor's concern: to give competent advice, to teach how to use this new technological word in one's body.
Dentures are made of lightweight and strong materials, which makes them strong. There are several prostheses. The doctor selects the optimal one based on the person's age, their additional "demands" for movement, and other factors. And in our country, many of these operations are carried out completely free of charge. You will have to wait in line for some time, but six months is not a dozen years! And the endoprosthesis will be performed. Today, thanks to medical advances, with coxarthrosis you can get rid of pain and lead an active lifestyle. The main thing is to see a doctor in time, because the more advanced osteoarthritis of the hip joint, the more difficult it is to cure the patient, even with the help of modern technologies.