Synonyms
Arthrosis of the hip joint, coxarthrosis, coxarthrosis, arthrosis deformans, osteoarthrosis, osteoarthritis deformans, arthrosis deformans coxae, coxarthrosis See also arthrosis of the knee joint: knee arthrosis, gonarthrosis Medical: coxarthrosis
Definition of hip arthrosis
The term “hip joint arthrosis/hip arthrosis” (= coxarthrosis or also coxarthrosis) includes all degenerative diseases in the area of the hip joint, which are caused by illness (e.g. congenital disorder of the functional unit femoral head – acetabulum or circulatory or metabolic disorders), accident (e.g. fracture of the femoral neck) or wear and tear. Common to all causal diseases is an increasing destruction of the articular cartilage, which ultimately damages other joint structures such as the joint capsule, bones and the associated musculature and causes hip arthrosis.
Stadiums
Hip arthrosis (coxarthrosis) can be divided into different stages depending on the condition of the joint surfaces and function. This stage classification also enables physicians to assess the severity of the existing arthrosis and also serves to estimate the appropriate therapy. At grade 0, the joint surfaces of the hip are still intact and smooth.
The cartilage is healthy and elastic. At grade 1, the cartilage surface is roughened. The cartilage can also be reduced in its mass and softer than healthy cartilage.
At grade 2 there is visible damage to the joint cartilage. Nevertheless, the cartilage coating is still intact. In contrast, grade 3 already shows significant damage to the cartilage, which can affect up to 50-100% of the entire cartilage layer on the joint surfaces. Finally, grade 4 is most advanced, so that the cartilage is completely worn away and the bone has become visible. Here the patient also suffers a loss of movement and often permanent pain.
Signs of hip arthrosis
Hip arthrosis (coxarthrosis) manifests itself in the initial stage with diffuse pain in the hip area after a prolonged load. Initially, the pain can only occur as a result of sports, long hikes or climbing stairs. The disease progresses further and the protective cartilage layer on joint surfaces becomes increasingly less.
Finally, the wear and tear becomes more and more pronounced until it also causes pain under minor stress. The symptoms thus become more and more frequent until they finally become permanent and even occur at rest. Typical for advanced osteoarthritis of the hip is the initial pain after a long period of rest or after sitting for a long time.
The pain subsides as soon as the affected person has “warmed up” a bit. Friction can also be caused by wear and tear on the joint, which can even be audible from the outside. Some patients also report feeling that their hip joint is blocked.
In addition to the characteristic symptoms, there are also accompanying symptoms. Due to the pain in the hip, many patients take a compensatory relieving posture and may go crooked. Due to this incorrect posture, back pain can also occur after some time.
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