Diseases of the musculoskeletal system in almost all cases are accompanied by dysfunction of his organs, which causes a lot of inconvenience to the patient.
Pain is an important symptom of musculoskeletal pathologies. Joint injuries are especially annoying.
The hip is the largest of them all. In case of its defeat the pain can be localized both around it and give it a different anatomical structure: small pelvic, spinal or thigh organs.
General classification of causes
The etiology of thigh pain is varied.
The following causes of arthralgia are conventionally distinguished in medicine:
- Inflammatory and infectious processes inside the joint and in the surrounding tissues.
- Degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
- Injuries.
- Neoplasms of bones and soft tissues.
There are additional specific causes of arthralgia:
- Piriformis syndrome. Associated with its prolonged spasm.
- Necrosis of the femoral head (GBC). Most often it is a complication of other pathologies of TBS.
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. It is GBC osteochondropathy.
- Osteochondrosis dissection. In various sources it can be called Koenig's disease.
- Diabetic osteoarthropathy. Complication of diabetes.
- Pseudogogite. As well as chondrocalcinosis.
- Intermittent hydrarthrosis is the excessive production of synovial fluid.
- Synovial chondromatosis (Loch syndrome).
Also, in pregnant women the leg often hurts in the thigh joint area.
During this period, complex hormonal changes occur, the growing uterus replaces neighboring organs, and strains the ligament apparatus of the femoral joint. In addition, weight gain increases the load on the legs. If you do not follow dietary recommendations, a pregnant woman may develop a calcium deficiency, due to this mineral imbalance, disrupting the structure of bones and joints.
Causes of pain
The prevalence of arthralgia increases with age.Symptoms of TBS (femoral joint) occur in children with a frequency of not more than 10%, and in the elderly - from 50%. Mostly women suffer from this pathology. It is caused by age-related hormonal changes after menopause.
Why does my thigh joint hurt? There is no specific answer to this question as the list of reasons is quite long.
The main factors causing arthralgia in the hip joint:
- Abnormal process inside the musculoskeletal system. Most often, this is the result of direct mechanical action: hemorrhage of the joint with subsequent inflammation of its components.
- Anatomical changes in the joint. They can be congenital or post-traumatic (dislocations, fractures).
- Pathology of other systems. Inflammation of the MT (small pelvis) organs can spread to the pelvic bones. Neurological disorders are manifested by pain of any localization. Metabolic disorders lead to mineral imbalance. The bone-ligament connection weakens, the risk of injury increases.
Inflammatory and infectious processes in the joints and surrounding tissues
The most common cause of arthralgia of any localization is suppuration of the muscular joint.
Inflammation of the femoral joint is divided into:
- Primary. It arises from the direct penetration of pathogens into the joint: a blow to the wound with a sharp or blunt object.
- secondary. TBS infection occurs from a distant focus of inflammation: by contact or by hematogenous route.
Arthritis TBS
Mainly found in elderly patients.Painful pain in the hip joint, with aggravated gait, extends to the groin, perineum, and thigh. The patient finds it difficult to get up from a chair or climb stairs without assistance. The discomfort intensifies in the morning.
Therapy involves taking anti-inflammatory drugs and injecting glucocorticoids into the intra-articular bursa. If necessary, its cavity is drained.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
It is a chronic systemic connective tissue disease similar to polyarthritis.The essence of this pathological process is inflammation of the synovium, cartilage and joint capsule. The cause is a dysfunction of the immune system. Characterized by polyarthralgia, firmness of morning movements, possible high fever.
The shoulder and thigh joints are very rarely injured, the pain is manifested only in the late stages of RA a few years after the onset of the disease.
Acute septic arthritis
It is an infectious disease of children, 70% of cases are found in children under 4 years of age. The causative agent is usually Staphylococcus aureus. The child refuses to walk due to severe pain in the thigh joint and groin area. Characterized by high heat and increased excitability.
Treatment includes removal of the discharge from the joint cavity and antibiotic therapy.
There is a high risk of developing osteomyelitis and sepsis.
Tuberculous coccitis or arthritis
Most often, pediatricians face this disease. In young children, the immune system is poorly developed, leading to the possibility of infection.
This disease is characterized by slow progression. At first the child gets tired very quickly, activity decreases, jogging stops. Gradually atrophy of the thigh muscles occurs. Movements are delayed. Thigh joint pain in a child acquires an intensely painful nature, the limb becoming longer than healthy.
If the pus melts in the synovial membrane, then the exudate spreads along the muscles and tendons, forming phlegmon and fistulas.
In the absence of complications, conservative treatment is carried out.
Tendovaginitis in the area of the femoral joint
This pathology is an inflammation of the muscle and its vaginal tendon. Caused by prolonged overuse or injury to the foot.
Major Complaints: Thigh joint hurts during movement, injury is swollen, gait change - lameness becomes noticeable.
Treatment - Medication: Anti-inflammatory drugs, intra-articular injections of corticosteroids.
Bursitis
Of all the synovial sacs, the acetabular bursa is the most frequently inflamed.It partially covers the femur. In thigh bursitis, the pain radiates to the thigh and gluteal region. The patient can not lie on the injured side: the pressure in the synovial park increases and the pain intensifies.
If there are no complications of bursitis, then treatment involves unloading the lower limb with a cane or crutch.
Medications: Painkillers and corticosteroids.
Idiopathic ankylosing spondylitis
It is a chronic inflammation of the elements of the spine and sacral joints.
The disease is dangerous with its complications that reduce the standard of living and lead to disability.
If you find such a problem, you should immediately consult a specialist to prescribe the right treatment.
The etiology is not fully understood. Modern medicine suggests that the main cause is hereditary predisposition. Most often people under 30 get sick.
Symptoms of idiopathic ankylosing spondylitis:
- Rising body temperature, fever.
- Intoxication syndrome: general weakness, weakness, lack of appetite, weight loss, sleep disturbance.
- Persistent dull pain in the femoral joint, as well as at the level of the sacrum and buttocks, extending to the back of the thigh. Usually bilateral, at night their intensity increases.
- Limited mobility in the waist and thighs. This symptom gradually spreads to the overlapping parts of the spine along the entire spine, including the neck. As a result, the patient forcibly assumes the "beggar posture".
Rehabilitation therapy is based on special physiotherapy exercises for joint development.
Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain and inflammation, corticosteroids.
Tendinitis
Athletes or people whose work is associated with strenuous physical labor are prone to inflammation of the tendons. Manifestation peculiarity: Painful pain in the femoral joint occurs with a large load on it. During rest, discomfort is usually not observed.
It is recommended to reduce the load on the legs, in advanced cases - bed rest.
Drug treatment: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, topical analgesic gels, glucocorticosteroids, chondroprotectors.
Syphilis
In the late stages of the disease, bones and joints are damaged. Gum formation is characteristic. Excessive pathological mineralization occurs. TBS is very rare.
Gum - a nodule in the tissues that develops during the development of syphilis, destroys the surrounding tissues. The process ends with the formation of rough scars.
Treatment is ineffective, there is a high risk of complications in the form of osteomyelitis.
Fungal arthritis of the thigh
This occurs as a result of prolonged use of antibiotics and pathologies of the immune system.
People living with HIV or AIDS are especially susceptible to fungal arthritis.
Joint pain is constantly manifested, has a painful character.
Fungal lesions of the bones are characterized by a tendency to fistula formation, duration and complexity of treatment.
Therapy: Systemic antifungals.
According to the testimony, surgical intervention is performed.
Tumors of the bones and soft tissues
Oncological diseases of the femoral joint can be metastases of distant organ cancer or originate independently.
- Benign tumors of bone tissue - osteomas.
The formation, which is foreign to the body, grows, stretching the nerves and blood vessels. The clinic is similar to Piriform Syndrome.
- Malignant tumors of the bone - osteosarcomas.
The neoplasm rapidly grows in size, necrosis and disintegrates, spreading metastases throughout the body.Pain in the hip joints is unbearable at night, they do not stop even after taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or trying anesthesia.
- Mesenchymal tumors arise from soft tissues. Benigns are rarely recurrent and do not metastasize. Due to the aggressiveness of the malignant cells, the intensity of the pain is variable.
Degenerative diseases of the joints
Coxarthrosis
Osteoarthritis of the thigh is a chronic disease characterized by changes in the integrity of joint surfaces due to disruption of metabolic processes. It develops very slowly, over several years. Cartilage tissue is damaged first, then bone tissue, followed by deformity of the varus of the joint and limb. Appears at the age of 40 years.
Symptoms:
- The thigh joint hurts only when walking.
- Strength of movements in TBS.
- As the process progresses, a decrease in limb length is observed.
- Weakness and atrophy of muscle mass.
- Lameness.
- Thunder can be heard while walking.
- With bilateral injury, there is a "duck walk" - moving from one leg to the other.
Medications: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, muscle relaxants, chondroprotectors, injections of hormonal drugs into the joint cavity.
Local effects: ointments, lotions, compresses.
Surgery is performed in the last stage of the disease.
Osteochondrosis
Degenerative changes of the intervertebral discs cause damage to the surrounding tissues.
Symptoms:
- Pain in the lumbar region that radiates to the hip joint and thigh.
- It is sudden, sharp and sharp. It starts at the waist and from the buttocks, runs to the back of the leg.
- Unilateral localization of pain is more common.
- The patient takes a forced position - lying on a healthy side.
- Possibly a decrease in the sensitivity of the skin of the foot.
Treatment is complex. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic, moderate physical activity (swimming), physiotherapy after the most acute phenomena subside.
Anesthetic blockade is recommended for severe pain.
Injuries
Trauma
Characterized by moderate intensity pain, its intensity increases during active movements. For the first time after a thigh joint injury, a lameness appears that passes quickly.
Symptoms disappear during rest.
To quickly relieve pain when injuring the pelvic joint, it is necessary to apply cold to the site of injury: an ice pack or frozen product.
Thigh dislocation
: It is possible:
- Თintended. It is the result of a failed birth or intrauterine developmental pathologies. The child has uneven gluteal folds and shortening of the limb, possibly with nerve strain, which manifests itself in convulsions. If the dislocation is not corrected in infancy, then the child may later become disabled.
- Traumatic. Signs: Acute severe pain, complete disruption of joint function, massive swelling and extensive hematoma above the injured area. Getting out of a chair or bed becomes impossible for the patient without assistance.
In case of thigh dislocation you should go to the emergency room or hospital immediately.
Fractures
The femoral joint is formed by strong strong bones.
The most common diagnosis from this subgroup is a surgical neck fracture of the femur. Mostly women drink after 60 years.
The cause of such damage is a fall or impact to the TBS area.
The strongest pain is felt, the femoral joint is stretched and abscessed, movement in it is almost impossible. The upper part of the thigh is swollen, a large hematoma appears. The injured leg is amputated, the patient limps. A characteristic click is heard as you move.
When a fracture occurs, the surrounding tissues are damaged, accompanied by a burning sensation. In the absence of treatment, an inflammatory process can begin here. If the nerve is stretched, you may feel a numbness in the thigh.
Treatment is complex: surgical and medical.
Specific causes of arthralgia
Piriformis syndrome
Localization of pathological processes in the pelvic-femoral joint area also damages the surrounding tissues. Prolonged spasmodic piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve and its vessels, causing a number of symptoms:
- Pain in the leg area around the thigh joint. It goes to the buttocks and lumbosacral joint.
- Increased discomfort when resting on an injured foot.
- Compression of the piriformis muscle.
- Sudden pain along the "lumbago" nerve.
Etiology: Injuries to the pelvic organs and infectious and inflammatory diseases, vertebrogenic pathologies, muscle overload, prolonged maintenance of non-physiological posture.
Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, analgesics, circulatory enhancers, glucocorticoids.
Rehabilitation measures can be prescribed after the sinking of acute phenomena: physiotherapy, massage, acupuncture.
Aseptic necrosis of the femoral head
Most are found in young people. The etiology of the disease is ischemia of the upper thigh. Insufficient blood supply to tissues causes their oxygen starvation and their necrosis (necrosis) begins.
Clinical picture: The femoral joint hurts and sticks to the leg and perineum. It is impossible to lean on an injured foot. After a few days the nerve endings melt and the pain disappears. This is a terrible sign! Necrosis of deep bone layers has a high risk of rapid development of osteomyelitis and sepsis.
Treatment is surgical and drug therapy.
Koenig's disease
Osteochondritis of the incision - exfoliation of a small necrotic cartilage area from the bone and its excision in the joint cavity.
It is a rare disease. Typical for men aged 15-35.
Patients complain of mild pain in the femoral joint. The joint "sticks" when moving.
Treatment is conservative (duration 10-18 months) and surgical. During the surgical intervention, the peeled masses are removed, the congruence (comparability) of the joint surfaces is restored.
Diabetic osteoarthropathy
Disruption of glucose metabolism leads to circulatory disorders and innervation of all organs. Changes in the femoral joint are more often unilateral: occurring more often on the right than on the left. The immune response is reduced, making it easier for the body to become infected.
Clinical picture:
- Swelling of the joint.
- The skin on it is cold to the touch.
There is no pain syndrome in diabetic osteoarthritis!
Treatment includes careful monitoring of blood glucose levels and timely intake of insulin.
Pseudogogite
This pathology is the deposition of calcium salts in the articular cartilage.
Doctors associate it with endocrine pathologies: hyperparathyroidism, diabetes, gout, etc. Sh.
Symptoms:
- It starts with severe pain in the hip joint.
Several types of calcium salts are known. With some of them (pyrophosphates) there is no pain.
- Movement is limited in it, it is difficult to grab the side of the foot.
- Swelling and hyperemia are characteristic.
- Increase in body temperature and fever.
To date, there is no specific treatment. The acute attack is stopped by intra-articular administration of corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Intermittent hydraarthrosis
It is a chronic disease manifested by attacks of increased production of synovial fluid. Prone to frequent relapses.
Diagnosed mainly in women aged 20-40 years.
The etiology is unknown. There are two theories for the occurrence of this disease: related to injuries and caused by endocrine disorders.
The joint increases in size, becomes stiff.
The attacks go away on their own in 3-5 days.
Medication is ineffective. Relapses occur even after surgery.
Synovial chondromatosis
This benign metaplastic disease is the replacement of synovial collagen by cartilage. Changes the structure of the joint surface as well as its properties.
The chance of getting chondromatosis is much higher in men, predominantly in middle-aged and older men.
The etiology is unclear.
There is local swelling, limited joint function, convulsions during work, arthralgia.
Treatment is surgical only.
Thigh pain in children and adolescents
Epiphysis
This pathology is most common in children during puberty (11 to 16 years). At this time a sharp jump in growth is observed. Due to the weak growth zone, the HBA slips around the neck, causing discomfort in the thigh joint.
The child feels pain in the thigh, moves to the groin and knee. Lameness is observed, but dependence on the limb is maintained.
The disorder is corrected surgically. You should start therapy as early as possible. Otherwise, HBA slipping can lead to the development of arthrosis and inflammation of the joints.
Dysplasia
It is an excessive formation of connective tissue that can alter bone elements. As a result, solid anatomical structures become plastic, flexible. The ligaments, menisci, and tendons are weakened. An unstable thigh is formed, which is characterized by frequent dislocations.
Dysplasia is an inherited disease that is usually found in infants from 3 months to 1 year. Orthopedists can easily handle correction of foot placement.
The latent form can be detected in adolescence.
If you notice any signs of foot deformity or foot deformity in a child, then you should go to the hospital immediately to check the child's musculoskeletal system!
The later dysplasia is detected, the more problematic its treatment.
Osteochondropathy
This group of diseases includes bone and cartilage tissue lesions in which the busiest areas experience aseptic necrosis.
Etiology: Genetic predisposition, hormonal imbalances and infections can provoke this pathology.
In 30% of cases, the femoral joint is damaged. These are predominantly pediatric diseases that are common in adolescents during the growth period.
The adult should initially determine the localization and nature of the pain, contact a pediatrician, and obtain the necessary information to prevent the development of complications.
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
The syndrome is characterized by HBK necrosis in children under 15 years of age. The right femoral joint is injured more often.
The cause of the pathological condition is a violation of blood circulation in the upper leg by the addition of cartilage tissue in the process.
Clinical picture:
- At first the thigh head hurts. With the progression of necrosis, arthralgia suddenly disappears. This indicates the death of receptors in sensitive organs.
- Change in gait - The baby begins to limp.
- Traffic is restricted at TBS.
- Most often unilateral.
Complications: dislocation, coxarthrosis, deformity of the lower extremity, muscle atrophy.
Diagnostic measures
Before prescribing treatment, the doctor should carefully examine the complaints, medical history and conduct an examination.
The following studies are necessary in case of femoral joint disease:
- Blood laboratory tests (with inflammation, ESR increases and marked leukocytosis).
- Conventional radiography of the joint in two or more projections.
- MRI with or without contrast.
- MSCT. It is used to test for the presence of sarcoma.
- Osteosyntography. Radionuclide method. The most common and informative type of bone tissue examination.
- Ultrasound of the femoral joint.
- Densitometry. Needed to determine bone density and strength.
If the patient is unable to sit or stand and the pain relief is useless, then he or she is immediately sent to a hospital for further surgical treatment.
When to see a doctor immediately
- When there is severe pain when moving the thigh joint.
- If it is impossible to support the affected leg.
- Detection of swelling in the waist and thighs.
- Redness or bruising on the injured side.
There are folk remedies for relieving pelvic joint pain. Relying on these tips is not worth the quick cure. Without a thorough diagnosis it is impossible to determine the cause of arthralgia, and self-medication can lead to complications.