Synovitis of the hip joint

The synovitis of the hip joint is not as common as, for example, the knee or elbow joint, however, something to know about such a disease is necessary.

The inflammatory process of the articular membrane with the release of exudative fluid into the hip joint is called synovitis.

Causes of synovitis of the hip joint

The synovitis of the hip joint can have an aseptic or infectious etiology.

Aseptic disease develops as a consequence:

• traumatization of the joint (bruise, fracture, dislocation);
• allergic reactions;
• disorders of the endocrine system (diabetes mellitus, thyroid pathology, gout);
• neurogenic causes (stress, neuritis, other nerve damage);
• autoimmune diseases, disorders of metabolic processes or metabolism.

The infectious cause of synovitis is the penetration into the joint cavity of pathogenic microbes (pneumo- and staphylococci, tubercle bacillus, etc.). Bacteria can enter the joint with blood or lymph flow from other organs.

[1], [2]

Symptoms of hip synovitis

Often the symptoms of synovitis of the hip joint are manifested late. At first the patient begins to feel some soreness, arising on the background of an obvious visual increase in the joint: this is provoked by the accumulation of an exudative fluid in the joint bag.

Initially, the patient notes pain when feeling the joint, a feeling of discomfort.

As the pathological process develops, the severity of symptoms increases:

• the joint becomes inactive, sometimes movements in the joint are generally impossible;
• there are convulsive muscle contractions near the affected joint;
• Occasionally a slight increase in temperature may be seen;
• in the area of the affected joint there is swelling, the skin becomes reddish or pasty.

Sometimes the patient marks the appearance of pulsating pain in the joint, as well as severe pain during movement. The articular bag is gradually inflamed and partially destroyed, as a result of which there is excessive exudation, or vice versa, atrophic changes in the joint.

If the disease has not been timely diagnosed and cured, then it goes into a chronic form, and the pastitude becomes permanent.

The synovitis of the hip joint in the child

Synovitis of the hip joint in children happens quite often, but the pathogenesis of this disease in childhood is almost not studied. In general, synovitis develops in children from one and a half years and until puberty.

The disease is marked by an acute onset and rapid development. Soreness in the joint is more pronounced in the morning, after the baby gets out of bed.

The child becomes difficult to move the joint, moreover, often he tries to fix the leg in a gentle position (in a bent or reduced state).

Doctors are inclined to the fact that synovitis in a child can occur as a result of colds, injuries, and also with prolonged motor activity.

However, since the pathogenesis of the disease has not been sufficiently studied, a thorough diagnosis must be carried out before the treatment is prescribed.

To treat a hip joint disease in a child should be necessary, since subsequently it can provoke the development of chronic lameness.

Synovitis in children is often called reactive, or transient.

The transient synovitis of the hip joint is a rapidly developing inflammatory process in the joint bag caused by any infectious disease or exposure to a chemical or toxic agent. That is why, in order to achieve a positive result in treatment, it is necessary first of all to find and eliminate the root cause of the pathology of the hip joint.

The synovitis of the left hip can occur as often as the right one. However, the defeat of two joints is very rare.

Reactive synovitis of the hip joint is often observed with an allergic response of the body. Why a strong allergic reaction causes exactly the damage of the joint, has not been completely studied yet. Perhaps the cause is the weakness of the joint due to trauma or increased load on the hip area.

Diagnosis of synovitis of the hip joint

Diagnosis of synovitis of the hip joint usually does not cause problems, but the most important point - finding out the cause of the pathology - is not always given easily. In order to clarify the factors of the development of the disease, it is often necessary to analyze the joint fluid, which is extracted from the joint cavity by puncture.

The fluid in the joint should normally be sterile and free of microorganisms. Pay attention also to the appearance of the punctuation, its properties and color.

Biochemical studies, as a rule, provide data on the state of the vascular system and the joint membrane. The amount of protein found indicates the degree of membrane permeability. Permeability impairments contribute to disorders of metabolic processes in the articular membrane and fluid, which causes an increase in the viscosity of the fluid in the joint.

A comprehensive diagnostic examination usually includes a visual examination of the patient, collection of anamnesis, puncture of synovial contents, and, if necessary, the use of arthroscopic data, arthropneumography, cytology and biopsy.

[3], [4], [5], [6],

Treatment of synovitis of the hip joint

Of course, in the first place, it is necessary to influence the causes that led to the onset of the disease: to cure infectious diseases, colds or other pathologies.

The joint should provide peace and stillness, this can be achieved by applying a pressure bandage or gypsum.

Next, the doctor is determined with the appointment of medications. Take them necessarily, otherwise complications can develop in the form of purulent infection and destruction of the joint bag.

What drugs are most often used in synovitis therapy:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - eliminate pain, signs of inflammation. They can be used for oral administration, as well as in the form of injections or ointments. With concomitant diseases of the digestive tract, the doctor can prescribe the same drugs in the form of rectal suppositories. Non-steroid drugs include drugs such as diclofenac, nimesulide, ibuprofen, etc .;
• drugs that inhibit proteolytic enzymes - they are usually administered concomitantly with diagnostic puncture of the joint cavity. These drugs include trasilol or gordoks;
• corticosteroids - effectively eliminate the inflammatory process, especially with a reactive synovitis. The most commonly used in this category is dexamethasone;
• means, regulating microcirculation - allow to restore inflammation damaged tissues of the joint. These drugs include nicotinic acid or tiatriazolin;
• antibacterial preparations - means of a wide spectrum of activity are used, which are most often introduced into the joint cavity after a diagnostic puncture. Such a method is used for prophylactic purposes to prevent joint suppuration, or in diagnosed microbial tissue damage;
• complex vitamin and mineral preparations for strengthening the body's defenses.

In the aggressive course of synovitis, when the usual treatment does not produce the proper result, surgical intervention, called synovectomy, can be used. During the operation, the surgeon opens the articular bag, removes suppuration and particles of necrotic tissue, and then rinses the cavity with an antibiotic solution.

Postoperative treatment includes anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and hemostatic interventions. Further physiotherapeutic procedures (UHF, electrophoresis) and exercise therapy are carried out.

The use of alternative methods of treatment of synovitis is allowed, but only simultaneously with the use of conservative therapy. These methods can help in accelerating the recovery process, but should not be used instead of the main treatment.

You can use the following recipes:

• the color of elder is mixed with birch leaves and willow bark in the proportion 1: 4: 5. Pour boiling water and insist for one hour. Drink half a glass four times a day before meals;
• crushed laurel leaves (5 large leaves) and poured with any unrefined oil (0.2 liters), insisted 15 days in the dark. After infusion, rub in the area of the damaged joint;
• pour 10 g propolis 100 grams of quality vodka, insist in the refrigerator for about a week. In the obtained tincture, a piece of natural tissue or gauze is moistened and applied to the joint. On top wrapped oilcloth and a warm kerchief. Such a compress can be done at night or during the day.

Using alternative therapies, do not forget to consult a doctor.

Prevention of synovitis of the hip joint

Prevention of synovitis of the hip joint is the timely access to the doctor for the development of inflammatory processes in the body, injuries and metabolic disorders.

When actively playing sports, you must be careful, learn to "properly" fall, so as not to injure the musculoskeletal apparatus. The athlete's nutrition should be balanced and rational, contain enough protein to maintain the ligament-muscular system.

If nevertheless it was not possible to avoid injury to the joint, you should consult a traumatologist. This will help in time to provide the necessary help to the joint and avoid the development of complications.

Forecast of synovitis of the hip joint

The prognosis of the disease depends entirely on the speed of the diagnosis and the timeliness of the treatment.

If the treatment procedures are started on time and are prescribed correctly, in the overwhelming majority of situations an absolute recovery is expected, while the articular function is preserved.

Treatment usually lasts about a week. After it begins the rehabilitation process, which includes the restoration of the function of the joint and preventive measures in order to prevent the development of complications.

Of the possible complications that develop in the absence of the necessary treatment, you can call:

• irreversible violations of the joint tissues, which threatens to reduce the motor amplitude;
• chronic arthritis;
• inflammation of the lumbosacral apparatus in the near-articular region.

In severe cases, sepsis may develop - the general spread of infection through the body with blood flow.

However, in most cases, the synovitis of the hip joint responds well to modern therapeutic measures, which leads to complete recovery and recovery of patients.

[7], [8], [9]