Each of our joints has two surfaces that fit together like a key in a lock. All bumps on one articular surface correspond to depressions on the other. Such exact matching of surfaces has a medical name: congruence. Above, the ends of the bones that form the joint are covered with cartilage for better sliding. The articular bag, ligaments and muscles protect the joint. With osteoarthritis, one of the most common joint diseases, cartilage and bone surfaces are destroyed. At the same time, little special joint fluid is produced, which ensures smooth movements, the ends of the bones come together and begin to rub against each other, causing their owner pain and discomfort. Meanwhile, with osteoarthritis, there is formally no inflammation in the joint, which distinguishes it from arthritis.
Why arthrosis of the hip joint occurs: age
A disaster like osteoarthritis can happen to any joint in our body. The defeat is unilateral and bilateral. Age, excess weight, injuries, flat feet, spinal scoliosis, arthritis, joint displacement, excessive load on it, but at the same time 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, such a disease does not occur, 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 in fact, normally, we can move the leg back and forth, out and in, and even with rotational movements. This joint carries a very high load. It consists of the head of the femur and a socket in the pelvic bone. Osteoarthritis of this joint is medically known as coxarthrosis. A large number of people suffer from this disease. Women get 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 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 arthrosis of the hip joint is pain in the groin when climbing stairs. There may be no pain going down the stairs. Later, the pain may begin 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 bringing the leg back is not. Turning the leg inward is painful, and moving it to the side is also painful, but tolerable. Kneeling is often not possible as this movement also involves the hip joint. And restrictions in mobility arise not only from pain, but also from changes in the joint itself.
Due to the fact that the hip joint is involved in walking, running and many other movements, its defeat imposes social restrictions on the patient. And with arthrosis of the third degree, the pain is already annoying not only during movements, but also at rest, in particular, they do not let you sleep at night. It is difficult to turn over 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. Therefore, frequent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can lead to the formation or exacerbation of stomach ulcers.
Treatment of osteoarthritis: arthroplasty
Many years ago, when modern prosthetic operations were not yet available, surgeons still operated on patients with coxarthrosis. At the same time, the goal 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 dragging his leg. Many movements were inaccessible to him, but at least they were not wracked with pain. And then an artificial hip joint was invented and it was possible to help these patients to the maximum: with a new joint, they can walk without pain and perform other movements, no different from healthy people. So, an 80-year-old patient, who had undergone arthroplasty of both hip joints, came to the doctor with the question "Can I go skiing? ".
Today, coxarthrosis operations are an established production. Such treatment of arthrosis 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 a joint that doesn't work at all, its cartilaginous layer is worn away, everything is overgrown with weeds 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 prick that we feel through the skin. So, during the operation, the head of the bone is removed, leaving the trochanter. Cartilage debris is also removed from the pelvic bone cavity. An artificial head of the joint 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 raised, on the third day they are forced 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 regimen is needed that contributes to recovery. But this is the doctor's concern: to give competent advice, to teach how to use this new technology word in one's own body.
Dentures are made from lightweight, durable materials, making them long-lasting. There are different prosthetics. The doctor selects the optimal one based on the age of the person, his additional "claims" 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 half a year is not a dozen years! And endoprosthetics 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 see 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.