Coxarthrosis

1) WHAT IS HIP OSTEOARTHRITIS, OR COXARTHROSIS?

Hip osteoarthritis, coxarthrosis, is a chronic pathology, corresponding to a progressive wear of the cartilages of the coxo-femoral joint, located between the thigh and the pelvis. It accounts for 10% of osteoarthritis.

Its evolution can be slow, evolving over more than 10 years, or quickly becoming disabling. It begins with a degeneration of the cartilage, then progressing to reach the entire joint.

 

 

2) WHERE DOES OSTEOARTHRITIS PAIN COME FROM?

The hip joint involves the femoral head (sphere shape) and the pelvic joint cavity, or acetabulum (hemisphere shape). … The sliding and rolling of the femoral head in the acetabulum is facilitated by the cartilage that covers both bony surfaces.

Due to various mechanical or biological phenomena, particularly related to age, the cartilage gradually disappears.

This dense and elastic tissue is very flexible and resistant, but poorly vascularized. This prevents it from repairing and healing easily.

Over time, the wear and gradual disappearance of the cartilage cause the onset of pain in the subject with osteoarthritis.

 

3) WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

The main symptom will be pain. This one:

is provoked and amplified by movement, and more or less relieved by rest.
returns chronically each time the joint is stressed.
gradually increases throughout the day.
can be the source of nocturnal awakenings in the inflammatory phase.

 

 

4) WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS?

There are 2 types of hip osteoarthritis: primary (without traumatic or anatomical cause), and secondary (following a disease or malformation).

There are several:

Age and natural degeneration of the joint.
Overweight (overweight and obesity).
Anatomical abnormalities of the joint.
The sequelae of joint trauma, frequent in sports activities.
Repetitive strain injuries such as can be encountered in contact sports or certain repetitive professional activities.

 

5) IS IT SERIOUS?

Osteoarthritis is not serious in itself. Its evolution is slow, and interspersed with acute painful phases.

 

In severe cases, however, the pain caused can become difficult to control.

It is also important to understand that there is no cure for this pathology. Once detected, the treatment put in place will essentially serve to slow down its development in order to learn to live with it and not have to give up daily physical activities.

 

 

6) IS SURGERY MANDATORY?

Surgical intervention is not prophylactic in case of coxarthrosis. The treatment will always aim to seek options ranging from the least invasive, such as physiotherapy, to more invasive options (infiltrations, then surgery if initial treatments fail).

In more severe cases, surgery may be considered. It will be offered to patients with permanent pain, and/or a physical disability caused by the pain.
It will consist of “replacing” the joint via the installation of a total hip prosthesis (THA).
Following this intervention, a physiotherapy treatment can then start.

 

 

7) WHAT IS PHYSIO REHABILITATION?

Conservative treatment and post THA are similar on many points. The difference will mainly be in the first weeks following the possible surgery.

Respecting the healing process, work will focus on:

Recovery of normal joint amplitudes
Gradual rehabilitation of the joint
Recovery of a correct gait pattern
Overall muscle strengthening (strength, neuromuscular control, stability, etc.)
Patient education

 

8)CAN I KEEP MOVING?

Unlike acute trauma, hip osteoarthritis does not require cessation of activity.

Apart from the very painful and acute phases, maintaining controlled and appropriate physical activity also plays a positive role in slowing the progression of the disease.

It is therefore strongly advised to move, even if it can sometimes seem paradoxical.

 

 

We care, u perform.