Coxarthrosis is an osteoarthritis in the hip joint. Due to the high loads that affect the hip joints throughout life, hip osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of joint wear. Many people have wear and tear of the joints and structures surrounding the joint, especially at an advanced age. However, this wear does not necessarily have to lead to complaints. On the contrary: The majority of people with joint wear remain largely complaint-free and are hardly or not at all restricted in everyday life. Joint wear without pain is more common than joint wear with pain. Complaints occur when, due to overload, the joint reacts with irritation, inflammation and swelling or the joints are highly affected.
With regard to the classification of osteoarthritis degrees, different scales exist. A common classification is grades 0 to 4, with stages 3 and 4 representing high-grade osteoarthritis. The so-called secondary osteoarthritis is based on previous damage, such as X- or O-B settings, obesity, diseases such as rheumatism or injuries such as bone fractures. In the case of primary osteoarthritis, there are no such previous damages. One could also say: In the case of primary osteoarthritis, we are dealing with a 'normal' aging process, which, depending on the genetic predisposition and lifestyle, is noticeable sooner or later, usually when problems arise.
The reason for an overload can be manifold and depends, among other things, on individual physical conditions such as the angle at which the hip joint is to the joint socket (centrum-collum-diaphysen-angle or CCD angle) as well as on the muscular situation; i.e. whether you are trained or untrained and have sufficient fitness. The progression of osteoarthritis is favored by different risk factors. Regardless of the cause, the cartilage does not wear out immediately. Initially, only slight changes between the joint surfaces are evident. The body strives to always adapt to the new conditions. This adaptation can be seen, for example, in an enlargement of the joint surface in the form of bony excesses. As a result, the body can distribute the pressure more widely in the joint.
So far, doctors assume that once degraded cartilage cannot be formed again. However, this does not mean that there is no way to treat a painful hip joint. Although Germany is among the world's leaders in the field of hip surgery and artificial hip joints, there is also another way that can lead to the fact that surgery can be prevented despite painful hip osteoarthritis. This is a targeted exercise program, guidance for behavior change and an adapted understanding of pain. During movement, a variety of processes are set in motion, the joint is better supplied and more mobile. Better muscular strength and movement control ensures more stability and reduces overload symptoms. Especially in the case of secondary osteoarthritis, programs for behavior change are useful, as risk factors can be positively influenced by this. A good understanding of pain gives those affected more security in dealing with pain and leads to an adapted pain perception and pain processing in the long term. This makes it possible for those affected to lead a pain-free or at least more pain-less life despite osteoarthritis.
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