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. 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 glide. The articular bag, ligaments and muscles protect the joint. With arthrosis, 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 its owner. Meanwhile, with arthrosis, 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 arthrosis 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, a sedentary lifestyle contribute to the appearance of the disease. Joints are made to move! Meanwhile, upright posture predisposes to arthrosis of the human hip joint. In animals, such a disease does not happen, in them the load on the joints is distributed more evenly.
The hip joint is the second in terms of range of motion after the shoulder joint. And indeed, normally, we can move the leg forward and backward, outward and inward, and even 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 more often ill, and, of course, the peak of the disease occurs after the age of 40 years. In 70% of cases, this is due to the natural wear 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 when going down stairs. Later, the pain may begin to spread to the knee. Part of the diverse 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 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 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 host of other movements, its defeat imposes social restrictions on the patient. And with arthrosis of the third degree, pain is already disturbing 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. So, 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 operations with prosthetics 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 were not tormented by pain. And then an artificial hip joint was invented, and it became possible to help such patients to the fullest - with a new joint, they can walk painlessly and perform other movements, no different from healthy people. So, one 80-year-old patient, having undergone arthroplasty of both hip joints, then came to the doctor with the question "Can I go skiing? ".
Today, operations for coxarthrosis 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 life contraindications, such as severe diseases of the heart, lungs and other organs. What is the essence of the operation? We have an absolutely non-working joint, its cartilaginous layer is worn out, everything is overgrown and does not 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 skewer that we feel through the skin. So, during the operation, the head of the bone is removed, and the trochanter is left. The remnants of cartilage are also removed from the cavity on the pelvic bone. An artificial head of the joint is put 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 one to two months, these patients completely restore the range of motion in the joint. Of course, after such treatment of arthrosis, a certain motor regimen is needed, which contributes to recovery. But this is the doctor's concern - to give competent advice, to teach how to use this new word of technology in one's own body.
Dentures are made from lightweight and durable materials, which makes them durable. There are different prostheses. The doctor selects the optimal one based on the age of the person, his further "claims" for movement 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 some time, but half a year is not a dozen years! And endoprosthetics will be performed. Today, thanks to the 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 arthrosis of the hip joint, the more difficult it is to treat the patient, even with the help of modern technologies.