Arthritis and osteoarthritis are often confused due to the similarity of the names. Yes, and both diseases affect the joints (for example, there is arthritis and osteoarthritis in the knee joint). Affected joints become inflamed, swollen and sore. Otherwise, these are completely different diseases. Try to understand how arthritis differs from osteoarthritis?
The difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis
Arthritis is accompanied by inflammation of the articular joints, which in turn leads to impaired motor function. The patient is anxious, both during physical activity and at rest, especially in the morning, there are sharp or aching pains. The skin around the joint becomes swollen, red and tight. Body temperature often rises. Arthrosis is a disease in which degenerative processes occur in the articular cartilage. The replaced cartilage does not cope with the load on them and gradually disappears. Pain caused by tension usually passes at rest. The tissues around the joint become swollen and inflamed. Progressive disease causes destruction of cartilage and severe deformation of the joints. The difference between osteoarthritis and arthritis is in the causes of the disease. Arthrosis occurs:
- primary, generally associated with the elderly;
- secondary, caused by other diseases, or genetically determined.
Predisposing factors for the development of osteoarthritis are:
- overweight;
- excessive physical activity (in most athletes) or very low physical activity;
- past injuries;
- endocrine diseases.
Arthritis is inflammatory. There are the following causes of the disease:
- various infections;
- joint damage and recurrent minor injuries;
- metabolic diseases;
- allergies;
- trace elements and vitamin deficiency.
Tests for arthritis and osteoarthritis
For early diagnosis of diseases affecting the support apparatus, a specialist must collect a complete medical history. The patient is invited to undergo the following examinations and examinations:
- A clinical blood test to determine the level of ESR (with arthritis, the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation increases significantly, close to normal with osteoarthritis).
- Biochemical blood test to determine macro and micronutrient deficiencies characteristic of arthritis.
- An X-ray that helps detect osteoarthritis-specific bone deformities and determine the width of the joint space.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), which allows to identify changes in cartilage tissue in the early stages of the disease.
The cause of the disease
The main difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is the origin of the disease. Arthritis is an infectious disease that causes inflammation of the joints. Arthrosis is a degenerative process that occurs in the body as a result of the natural wear and tear of the joints, leading to the destruction of the cartilage layer in the joint. Therefore, osteoarthritis is mainly characteristic of the elderly, and arthritis can be transmitted at any age, even in childhood. Women are more likely to have arthritis. Osteoarthritis affects both older women and men. Arthritis is often caused by:
- various infections;
- allergic reactions;
- joint damage;
- often minor injuries;
- physical stress;
- metabolic diseases;
- vitamin and mineral deficiency;
- autoimmune diseases;
- diseases of the nervous system.
In addition, arthritis often develops as a complication of osteoarthritis, not vice versa. Osteoarthritis is mainly caused by:
- genetic predisposition;
- adequate blood supply and bone nutrition;
- excessive stress on the joints;
- joint injuries;
- hypothermia.
Symptoms of joint diseases
Although both illnesses are accompanied by painful feelings, these feelings occur under different conditions. Pain with arthritis is seen both during physical exertion, during sleep and in the morning. Pain with osteoarthritis only worries a person during physical exertion.
Another characteristic difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is the nature of the pain. Arthritis is characterized by sharp, strong and twitching pains, and osteoarthritis is accompanied by a dull and painful muscle.
Arthritis most often affects the small joints and osteoarthritis - large joints (especially the knees and thighs). Osteoarthritis affects only the joints. In arthritis, inflammation can spread to several joints as well as other organs. In addition, arthritis is accompanied by fever, swelling and redness in the affected area. Sometimes subcutaneous rheumatic nodules appear with arthritis. Over time, osteoarthritis leads to deformity of the joints, which can take on more subtle and strange shapes.
Diagnostics
Similar methods are used for diagnosis (X-ray, computed tomography, laboratory tests), but the results will be different. A complete blood count in arthritis will show an increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate and a high concentration of C-reactive protein, leukocytes, and seromucoids. With osteoarthritis, such an analysis will not reveal any deviations.
Treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis
Various specialists are engaged in the treatment of diseases. Osteoarthritis is treated by an orthopedic traumatologist, and in the case of arthritis, the cause of the disease is first determined, and then a specialist is selected accordingly. Diseases are used in the same ways, drugs and physiotherapy. If the disease is severe, surgery is performed - endoprosthetic or joint replacement. However, there are some differences in the treatment of diseases. Arthritis requires immediate and active therapy, and osteoarthritis requires long-term and comprehensive treatment. Arthritis treatment begins with changes in diet and lifestyle. The patient is then prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics, as well as physiotherapy procedures. Osteoarthritis is treated with hormonal, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. Arthritis is generally completely curable, and osteoarthritis, a chronic disease, causes irreversible consequences in the joints that cannot be treated - it is only possible to slow down the degenerative processes.
These two diseases, called Summit, are similar to the symptoms of rheumatism. But do not confuse: osteoarthritis is a mechanical disease, and arthritis causes inflammation of the joints. Simply put, if the painful joints swell, the patient develops arthritis. If the pain in the joints is mild, then it is osteoarthritis. In this article, we will try to explain their differences in an accessible language. For those unfamiliar with medicine, it is difficult to distinguish between the two. Because both diseases are directly related to rheumatism. Both diseases cause pain and discomfort in the joints, which leads to immobility. The symptoms and treatment of these diseases are very different.
What is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis?
The difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is that arthritis causes inflammation of the joints. As a result, enzymes are released and destroyed. They form proteins that stick together. This is one of the causes of pain. It often happens when a person is asleep. Physical strength decreases slightly. Weakness is felt in the mornings. The disease affects the joints of the legs and arms.
Arthritis can have different causes. For example, septic arthritis is caused by an infection, and rheumatoid arthritis is caused by a decrease in immunity. Gout develops due to metabolic diseases.
Along with physiological changes, joint changes also occur. As a result, the skin may become hot or red.
How is arthritis treated?
Treatment requires relief of symptoms and restoration of joint mobility. It is recommended to try different methods to do this. Can be combined if necessary. This will help determine which works best. Also, the results of blood tests differ with these diseases. Protein levels increase with osteoarthritis. If the patient has arthritis, there is no change in the composition of the blood. The type of disease should be taken into account when choosing a remedy used to get rid of such problems. Most commonly used for healing:
- corticosteroids;
- biological and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- analgesics;
- anti-irritant drugs;
- antirheumatic drugs;
- therapeutic methods.
Physical activity is required for healing. With special exercises you can strengthen your joints and keep your muscles in tone. Sometimes punches or studs are used for this purpose. If other therapies do not help, doctors recommend removing the damaged joints. They are replaced by artificial ones. Often the knees are treated in this way. Such an operation is done to eliminate anxiety and restore activities. After this procedure, the destruction of the joints becomes slower. In addition, with surgical methods, it is customary to perform an operation to cut the articular tissue. At the same time, foreign particles are removed from the shells. Patients undergo such operations to smooth rough surfaces and change the pressure angle.
How is osteoarthritis treated?
To treat this disease, you need to reduce your risk factors. Those who are overweight are advised to eat properly. Patients should follow their diet. This is especially true for those undergoing surgery for bone pathology.
If the patient's condition does not improve, you can get rid of the problem by using anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics. The patient should be prescribed hyaluronic acid to avoid having to use a prosthesis. It will also help alleviate anxiety.
You should not completely reduce physical activity. Exercise should be easy on your health. This should prevent weight gain. If you suspect a certain disease, do not panic and do not try to treat it yourself. Timely diagnosis and properly prescribed treatment increase your chances of a speedy recovery.
The main differences
As mentioned above, osteoarthritis is a mechanical disease. However, it is periodically reduced until the articular cartilage disappears. As a result, the friction bones remain open. It occurs mainly in the elderly. In this case, patients note certain characteristics associated with the appearance of the joints. As a rule, it has the following causes related to injuries, abnormalities in the structure of bones, excess weight. Often affects the pelvic and knee joints. Often damages the neck and lumbar joints. Unlike osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis can cause significant discomfort when moving. Anxiety such as walking, running, etc. Passes between. However, it can not manifest itself in the form of inflammation, except for unpleasant feelings, so it is often called a "cold" disease.