Arthritis and osteoarthritis are often confused because of the similarity of the names. Yes, and both diseases affect the joints (for example, there is arthritis and osteoarthritis of the knee joints). The affected joints become inflamed, swollen and sore. Otherwise, these are completely different diseases. Let’s try to understand how arthritis differs from osteoarthritis?
The difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis
Arthritis is associated with inflammation of the articular joints, which, in turn, leads to impaired motor functions. The patient experiences discomfort, he has acute or aching pain, both during physical activity and at rest, especially in the morning. The skin around the wrist becomes swollen, red and taut. Body temperature often rises. Arthrosis is a disease in which degenerative processes occur in the articular cartilage. The modified cartilage ceases to withstand the load falling on them and is gradually destroyed. The pain caused by the strain usually goes away in calm. The tissues around the joint swell and burn. Progressive disease leads to cartilage destruction and severe joint deformity. The difference between osteoarthritis and arthritis lies in the causes of the diseases. Arthrosis occurs:
- primary, usually associated with old age;
- secondary, arising from other or genetically determined diseases.
Predisposing factors for the development of osteoarthritis are:
- excess weight;
- excessive physical activity (most often, in athletes) or very low physical activity;
- past injuries;
- endocrine diseases.
Arthritis is inflammatory. There are such causes of the disease as:
- various infections;
- joint damage and minor recurrent injuries;
- metabolic disorders;
- allergies;
- lack of trace elements and vitamins.
Tests for arthritis and osteoarthritis
For early diagnosis of diseases affecting the supporting apparatus, the specialist should collect a complete anamnesis. The patient is invited to pass the following tests and perform the specified examinations:
- A clinical blood test to determine the level of ESR (with arthritis, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate increases significantly, with osteoarthritis it is close to normal).
- Biochemical blood test to identify the lack of macro- and microelements, characteristic of arthritis.
- X-rays to help detect natural bone deformity in osteoarthritis and determine the width of the joint space.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), which allows you 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. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process that occurs in the body as a result of the natural consumption of joints and aging, which cause the destruction of the cartilage layer in the joints. Therefore, osteoarthritis is mainly characteristic of the elderly, and arthritis can contract at any age, even in childhood. Women are more likely to have arthritis. Osteoarthritis affects both women and men who have reached old age. Most often, arthritis is caused by:
- various infections;
- allergic reactions;
- joint damage;
- frequent minor injuries;
- physical stress;
- metabolic disorders;
- lack of vitamins and minerals;
- autoimmune disorders;
- diseases of the nervous system.
In addition, arthritis often develops as a complication of osteoarthritis, but not vice versa. Osteoarthritis mainly results from:
- genetic predisposition;
- insufficient blood supply and bone nutrition;
- excessive stress on the joints;
- joint injuries;
- hypothermia.
Symptoms of joint disease
Despite the fact that both diseases are accompanied by painful sensations, these sensations arise in different conditions. With arthritis, the pain appears both during physical exertion and during sleep and in the morning. With osteoarthritis, pain bothers a person only during physical exertion.
Another characteristic difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is the nature of the pain. Arthritis is characterized by sharp, sharp pains and tremors, and osteoarthritis is dull and painful, accompanied by a crisis.
Arthritis most often affects the small joints, and osteoarthritis - the large joints (especially the knee and hip). Osteoarthritis only affects 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 with arthritis, subcutaneous rheumatic nodules appear. Over time, osteoarthritis leads to deformities of the joints, which can become thinner and take strange shapes.
Diagnosing
For diagnosis, similar methods are used (X-rays, computed tomography, laboratory tests), but their results will vary. In arthritis, a complete blood count will show an increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate and a high concentration of C-reactive proteins, leukocytes, and seromucoids. With osteoarthritis, such an analysis will reveal no deviation.
Treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis
Various specialists are engaged in the treatment of diseases. Arthrosis is treated by an orthopedic traumatologist, and in the case of arthritis, the cause of the disease is first determined, and then, depending on it, a specialist is chosen. Diseases are treated with identical methods, using medication and physiotherapy. If the disease has gone too far, then surgery - endoprosthetics or joint replacement is used. But there are also some differences in the treatment of diseases. Arthritis requires immediate and active therapy, and osteoarthritis requires long-term and complete 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 medications. Arthritis generally heals completely, and osteoarthritis, which is a chronic disease, causes irreversible consequences on joints that cannot be treated - it is only possible to slow down the degenerative processes.
These two diseases with consonant names are similar in that they are symptoms of rheumatism. However, do not be confused: osteoarthritis is a mechanical disease and with arthritis, the joints become inflamed. In simpler terms, if the injured joints are swollen, the patient has arthritis. If the joint pain is weak, then it is osteoarthritis. In this article we will try to explain in accessible language how they change. For those unfamiliar with medicine, it is difficult to distinguish between the two. Since both diseases are directly related to rheumatism. Both diseases cause pain and discomfort in the joints, which become immobile. The symptoms of these diseases, as well as the ways to treat them, are very different.
What is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis?
The difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is that with arthritis, the joints become inflamed. As a result, enzymes are released, leading to their destruction. They form proteins that bind them together. This is one of the causes of pain. Most often it occurs when a person is asleep. With physical exertion, it lowers slightly. Weakness is felt in the morning. This disease affects the joints of the legs and arms.
Arthritis can have different causes. For example, septic arthritis is caused by infection, and rheumatoid arthritis is caused by decreased immunity. Gout develops due to metabolic disorders.
Joint changes occur along with physiological changes. As a result, the skin may become warm or red.
How is arthritis treated?
To cure it, it is necessary to alleviate the symptoms and restore joint mobility. To do this, it is recommended to try different methods. They can be combined if necessary. This will help determine which one works best. Also, with these diseases, the results of a blood test vary. With osteoarthritis, protein levels increase. If the patient has arthritis, there are no changes in blood composition. When choosing a medicine used to get rid of such problems, you should consider the type of this disease. Most often used for healing:
- corticosteroids;
- biological and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- analgesics;
- anti-irritant medications;
- antirheumatic drugs;
- therapeutic methods.
Physical activity is required to heal. With specialized exercises, you can strengthen your joints and keep your muscles toned. Sometimes clips or knots are used for this purpose. If other methods of therapy do not help, doctors suggest removing the damaged joints. They are being replaced by artificial ones. Most often, the knees are treated this way. Such an operation is done to relieve discomfort and restore their activity. After this procedure, the destruction of the joints is 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 their shell. Patients undergo such surgeries to soften rough surfaces and change the pressure angle.
How is osteoarthritis treated?
To cure this disease, you need to reduce your risk factors. Those who are overweight are advised to eat properly. Patients should monitor their diet. This is especially true for those who have undergone surgery for bone structure pathology.
If the patient's condition does not improve, you can get rid of the problems by using anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications. In order not to have to use a prosthesis, the patient should be prescribed hyaluronic acid. This will also help alleviate the anxiety.
You do not have to completely reduce physical activity. Exercise should be easy for your health. This should prevent weight gain. If you suspect a particular disease, do not be afraid and do not try to cure 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. With it, the articular cartilage periodically shrinks until it disappears. As a result, the friction bones are exposed. It mainly occurs in the elderly. In this case, patients note some characteristic features associated with the appearance of nodules. As a rule, he has the following reasons associated with injuries, abnormalities in bone structure, excess weight. Most often, it affects the pelvic joints and knees. Often damages the neck and back joints. Unlike arthritis, osteoarthritis can cause considerable discomfort during movement. The problem goes away between walking, running, etc. But in addition to unpleasant sensations, it is not able to appear in the form of inflammation, which is why it is often called a "cold" disease.