Hip arthrosis: conservative treatment
Tommaso Pagnanelli
Hip osteoarthritis (coxarthrosis) is a degenerative process of the articular cartilage, associated with aging and factors such as biomechanical overload and high-impact activities. The condition predominantly affects women over 50, although men tend to show symptoms earlier. The degenerative process leads to cartilage loss and osteophyte formation. Severity is measured using the Kellgren-Lawrence classification, which evaluates joint space reduction and subchondral sclerosis. Conservative treatment includes load modifications, patient education, anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, and therapeutic exercises. Physical therapy focuses on manual techniques to improve mobility and reduce pain, while therapeutic exercise aims to maintain joint mobility, muscle strength, and motor control. Additionally, weight loss is crucial to reduce joint load and prevent disease progression.