The hip, the second largest joint of the human body, with its primary contribution to locomotion, is exposed to numerous traumatic or non-traumatic risks. Regardless of the initial pathology, there is always almost the same result: diminution of range of motion, onset of pain and functional impotence, as well as change of biomechanics of walking. Through its high frequency, morpho-functional imbalance (clinically expressed both imagistic and biologically, in one or several joints), osteoarthritis is a disease with a multifactorial etiology and a complex pathogeny.
The study included 244 patients aged between 18-85 years, clinically and paraclinically investigated, especially for the osteoarthritis of the hip, admitted to Rheumatology Clinic I, Rehabilitation Hospital in Iasi, from January 2012 to December 2014.
The high prevalence of degenerative diseases of the joints in old age is analyzed in accordance with the results of the estimations, which showed that, in fact, most of the patients remain undetected, undiagnosed and untreated. Main symptoms are pain in the coxofemoral joint, radiating or not on the lateral or anterior face of the thigh down to the knee, morning stiffness after a long rest, limping or walking with small steps, and muscle atrophy of the group of muscles that are responsible for the stability of the joint.
A strict discipline is needed from the patient's side, in order to keep and apply the doctor's indications in a chronic disease that requires a long therapy, on one hand; on the other hand, a close cooperation between various experts is needed, in order to customize and apply the most effective program, at the right time.