Arthritis of the hip is a condition that leads to degeneration of the cartilage of the coxofemoral joint, the point where the femur articulates with the acetabulum, the hip socket that houses the femoral head

This degenerative process can have several causes and leads to pain and difficulty in movement with disabling consequences.

Until a few years ago, arthrosis of the hip was considered a disease typical of the elderly.

In recent years, the advent of new diagnostic techniques and the availability of innovative treatments have changed the approach to the disease in young people.

What is hip arthrosis in the young?

The hip joint is covered by cartilage, a soft, smooth tissue that allows the bones to slide against each other without generating friction, acting as a kind of cushion.

When this tissue deteriorates, inflammation can develop, which is called arthrosis of the hip.

What causes hip arthrosis in young people?

Hip arthrosis in the young person has always been well documented.

There are several degenerative conditions of the coxofemoral joint that affect younger patients.

The most common are:

• Hip dysplasia in children.
• Perthes’ disease.
• Impingement or femoro-acetabular conflict, characterised by an incompatibility between the two components of the joint that end up bumping into each other. It mainly affects young male adults who play sports as repetitive movements accentuate the problem.
• Osteonecrosis or ischaemic necrosis, due to reduced blood flow to the femoral head.
• Trauma, infection, tumours.

What are the symptoms of hip arthritis in young people?

The main symptom of hip arthrosis is localised pain in the groin that often extends to the knee and hip.

In the early stages of the disorder, it may appear only after prolonged physical activity, but as the joint damage progresses, it becomes more noticeable even after light physical activity and sometimes even during the night.

How to prevent hip arthritis in the young?

In order to minimise the risk of hip arthritis, it is important to avoid being overweight, taking up poor postures, and overloading the joint repeatedly.

In addition, a balanced diet rich in vitamins, omega-3 and minerals, and low in alcohol and foods of animal origin helps to keep all joints healthy.

Diagnosis

If the symptoms reported by the patient lead to the suspicion of hip arthrosis, the doctor may decide to confirm the diagnosis with an X-ray.

In some rare cases, additional tests may be prescribed, such as:

• Blood tests
• Examinations of joint fluid
• Magnetic resonance imaging

Treatments

Generally, treatment is not invasive right away.

The first stages of hip arthrosis treatment may include:

• taking anti-inflammatory drugs
• physiotherapy
• the use of crutches when walking for long distances

Conservative surgical treatment, which is possible when degeneration is modest, aims to stabilise the joint and reduce overload on the surface.

Arthroscopy is an increasingly widespread technique that allows both a diagnostic assessment of the extent of the pathology and the possibility of intervening, on the femur and/or acetabulum, to surgically resolve the conflicts that produce the pain.

In some rare and well-selected cases, it is preferable to opt for an open correction of the conflict.

This solution is certainly more invasive than arthroscopy, but it may be necessary in certain situations.

Total hip replacement represents the limiting option in the case of young patients, which is resorted to when there are contraindications to conservative procedures or these have not been successful.

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Source:

Humanitas