[Pathology of articular cartilage--dynamics of changes, prevention]

The aim of this work was the analysis of process of growth of degenerative changes of the hip joint based on present literature. Epidemiological data allow to consider it as a disease of civilization. The opinions about primary and secondary pathology of articular cartilage are presented. Changes in articular cartilage are presented with reference to morphological construction and physiology of cartilage. The author paid attention to the dynamics of changes and their relation to pathological factors in the range of intraarticular balance disturbances, as in systemic diseases and overload syndrome with reference to axial articular cartilage overload. Economical analysis related to degenerative hip disease dictates to initiate both causal and symptomatic prevention, as retarding dynamics of pathological process. The author presented modern methods of prevention of degenerative changes: gene therapy, molecular engineering.