Definition of hip Osteoarthritis of the hip or hip osteoarthritis is the progressive destruction of the cartilage of the hip joint (degenerative joint disease). During the progression of OA , all the structures of the joint are affected. Fragments of cartilage in the joint crumble , causing local inflammation more or less painful. The hip is the most common cause of hip pain.
Origins and risk of osteoarthritis of the hip The hip is a common condition occupying the first place in the pathology of the hip. We distinguish the so-called primitive when hip osteoarthritis of the hip occurs without specific cause , and secondary osteoarthritis when preexisting disease or malformation (dysplasia) promotes its appearance. The secondary coxarthrosis start earlier , around the age of 30 or 40 years , and have a generally change faster than the primitive coxarthrosis.
A special form is represented by osteoarthritis of the hip or rapidly destructive hip osteoarthritis , which results in less than a year , a total loss of cartilage with bone destruction of the femoral head.
Causes and diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the hip The hip osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the hip with multiple origins (malformation , mechanical ...). It is caused by a process of destruction and repair of cartilage. The cartilage allows bones to two slide one on the other and to ensure the mobility of a joint. In response to excess pressure , cartilage swelling (edema) and fragile , and fragments will fall into the joint.
In parallel , a biological reaction causes overactive cells responsible for cartilage repair but also to destroy it. Eventually , these cells (chondrocytes) are exhausted and die , and the whole joint is affected (inflammation of the synovial membrane that surrounds the joint , thickening of the bones ...).
Symptoms of osteoarthritis Symptoms of hip pain are the main manifestation of osteoarthritis of the hip. They have a mechanical time , appearing when the joint is loaded or active (standing , walking ...) and relieved at rest. The pain may sit in front of the joint , that is to say at the groin or to the thigh. Outermost pain , even to the buttock or knee , are also possible.
When the disease is more advanced , functional impairment occurs with walking limitation (doctors talk about walking distance) and a limp. At this point , certain gestures or movements of everyday life gets tough , up or down as a car or a bath or sit on a seat too low.
