Each of our joints has two surfaces that fit like a key in a lock. All bulges on one articular surface correspond to depressions on the other. Such an exact match 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 sliding. Joint bag, ligaments and muscles protect the joint. Arthrosis, one of the most common joint diseases, destroys cartilage and bone surfaces. At the same time, little is produced of a special synovial fluid that ensures smooth movements, the ends of the bones come together and begin to rub against each other, causing pain and discomfort to the owner. Meanwhile, in osteoarthritis, there is formally no inflammation in the joint, which distinguishes it from osteoarthritis.
Why osteoarthritis of the hip joint occurs: age
Such a disaster as osteoarthritis can happen to any joint in our body. Defeat is unilateral and bilateral. Age, obesity, injuries, flat feet, spinal scoliosis, arthritis, joint displacement, excessive loads, but at the same time a sedentary lifestyle contribute to the occurrence of the disease. Joints are there to move! At the same time, an upright posture predisposes to arthrosis of the human hip joint. In animals, such a disease does not occur, in them the load on the joints is distributed more evenly.
The hip joint is the second largest in terms of range of motion after the shoulder joint. And indeed, we can normally move the leg forwards and backwards, outwards and inwards, and even rotational movements. This joint carries a very high load. It consists of the femoral head and a socket on the pelvic bone. Arthrosis of this joint is medically referred to as coxarthrosis. A large number of people suffer from this disease. Women are sick more often, 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 circulation and impaired metabolism.
Signs of joint damage: pain when walking and at rest
The first symptom of osteoarthritis of the hip joint is pain in the groin when climbing stairs. There should be no pain when climbing stairs. Later, the pain can spread to the knee. Some of the diverse movements in the joint are restricted. For example, raising the leg, ie bending at the hip, may be painful, but pulling the leg back may not. Turning the leg inward is painful, and moving it to the side is also painful but tolerable. Kneeling is often not possible because this movement also involves the hip joint. And movement restrictions are not only caused by pain, but also by changes in the joint itself.
Because the hip joint is involved in walking, running, and many other movements, damage to it results in social limitations for the patient. And with arthrosis of the third degree, pain is already annoying not only during movements, but also at rest, in particular, it does not allow you to sleep at night. It is difficult to turn over in bed. And sometimes the pain is so severe that it forces the patient to constantly take painkillers, which in itself is not always safe. Therefore, frequent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can lead to the formation or worsening of gastric ulcers.
Treatment of osteoarthritis: endoprosthetics
Many years ago, when modern operations with prosthetics were not yet available, surgeons were still operating on patients with coxarthrosis. At the same time, the purpose of the operation was not to treat arthrosis, but to completely immobilize the joint. After recovering from this difficult surgical procedure, the patient walked and dragged his leg. Many movements were inaccessible to him, but at least not tormented by pain. And then an artificial hip joint was invented, and it became possible to fully help such patients - with a new joint, they can walk without pain and perform other movements, not unlike healthy people. For example, an 80-year-old patient came up with the question "May I go skiing? " after endoprosthetics in both hip joints. " to the doctor.
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 lifelong contraindications, such as serious diseases of the heart, lungs and other organs. What is the essence of the operation? We have an absolutely non-functioning joint, its cartilage layer is worn out, everything is overgrown and does not move.
How is osteoarthritis operated on?
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. So, during the operation, the bone head is removed and the trochanter is left in place. The remains of cartilage are also removed from the cavity in the pelvic bone. An artificial joint head is used in its place. The head "sits" on a metal rod attached to the femur. The incision is made in the groin area, its length is only 7-8 cm.
On the first day after the operation, the patient is raised up, on the third day he has to walk. And within a month or two, these patients fully restore range of motion in the joint. Of course, after such treatment of arthrosis, a certain motor regime is required, which will help recovery. But that's the doctor's concern - to give competent advice, to teach how to use this new word of technology on one's own body.
Dentures are made from lightweight and durable materials, making them durable. There are different prostheses. The doctor selects the optimal one based on the person's age, his further "needs" to exercise and other factors. And in our country, many of these operations are performed completely free of charge. You have to wait some time, but half a year is not a dozen years! And endoprosthetics are performed. Today, thanks to advances in medicine, coxarthrosis allows you to 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 for the patient as welltreated with the help of modern technologies.