The last, third degree is the most severe. It is characterized by irreversible damage to the joint.
But in radiology, Grade 4 coxarthrosis is separately distinguished. It is characterized by a complete or partial growth of the joint fissure. As a result of such pathological changes, the hip joint becomes completely immobilized, and the patient becomes incapacitated. In this case, conservative therapy is ineffective and is used only to relieve clinical symptoms. The only way to restore motor function is through surgery.
The pain is concentrated in the damaged joint and spreads to the thigh, buttocks, lower back and inguinal region.
Due to constant pain, patients cannot fully sleep, insomnia often develops.
The patient cannot walk, squat, get up, or turn his leg to the side.
The muscles of the injured limb atrophy.
The prevalence of coxarthrosis is due to the fact that the hip joint is one of the largest and most mobile joints in the human body. It has a heavy load every day, it is constantly in motion. These anatomical features make it one of the main «targets» for degenerative-dystrophic changes.
Normally, the acetabulum and femoral head have a smooth surface. Between them is a layer of cartilage tissue, and the joint is filled with synovial fluid, which acts as «lubrication» and nutrition. This ensures smooth bone sliding and movement within the allowable amplitude. With coxarthrosis, the production of synovial fluid decreases until complete cessation. Cartilage does not receive nutrition and gradually dries up. With Grade 4 coxarthrosis, cartilage tissue is almost absent, and bones rub together and fuse together.
Such pathological changes can be provoked by the following reasons:
Genetic predisposition Excessive load on the pelvis High joint pathologies
Immune deficiency conditions
Heavy sports loads
Infections and inflammatory processes
Frequent fractures
To make a diagnosis and assess the stage of coxarthrosis, a comprehensive diagnosis is used:
At the initial consultation, the doctor clarifies the complaints and examines the patient. Deformation and immobilization of the joint, atrophy of the damaged limb are visually revealed.
X-ray, CT, MRI
Radiological examination methods are the gold standard for the diagnosis of coxarthrosis. They allow you to assess the condition of the hip joint and all its anatomical structures.
Pelvis plain film (AP view). The X-ray shows degenerative-dystrophic changes:
Magnetic resonance imaging. The study makes it possible to visualize almost all elements of the hip joint in layers. This is especially important for assessing the degree of cartilage deformation.
CT. It is prescribed to study connective tissue structures: ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, vessels.
In the case of Grade 4 coxarthrosis, no treatment is given without surgery. This is due to the fact that at this stage of the disease there are no more healthy cartilages left. Modern medicine has not yet invented drugs to restore cartilage tissue, so its regeneration is impossible.
As mentioned above, Grade 4 coxarthrosis does not respond to conservative therapy. At this stage of the development of the disease, irreversible pathological changes occur. It is possible to restore the anatomical shape and functionality only with the help of surgery. Despite the effectiveness, the operation is contraindicated in the following cases:
Hip replacement
The operation involves replacing the destroyed joint with an artificial implant — removal of damaged tissues, replacement of a destroyed joint.
Give yourself freedom of movement without restrictions
Over 5 years, using the DAA method, we returned more than 3 thousand patients to an active life.
