Arthritis and arthrosis negatively affect the patient's full life. When signs of the described joint injuries appear, people jump to conclusions. They can make mistakes, confuse the indicated pathologies. It is important to remember that the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis of the knee joint is significant. Let's consider in more detail the characteristics of each disease. We will discover their differences, as well as how arthrosis differs from gonarthrosis of the knee joint.
Terminology expansion
Arthritis and arthrosis are considered cognate words. Both mean joint damage. Due to the consonance of terms, patients often perceive them as synonyms. This approach is wrong. To find out how arthritis differs from osteoarthritis of the knee joint, you need to consider the characteristics of each.
Arthrosis
Arthrosis is represented by joint deformation. The pathology is considered to be age-related. It is more common in elderly patients. It is also found in people under the age of 40. Most often, its occurrence is caused by severe joint injuries, fractures. The risk group is represented by athletes. Read more about osteoarthritis of the knee joint.Arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that develops into a compound. Usually, its occurrence is manifested by a deterioration in the functioning of the connection. The whole body is inflamed. The disease can arise in any joint. It can also span multiple connections at the same time. Learn more about knee arthritis.Difference between arthritis and arthrosis
The difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is represented by the nuance that an immune failure is considered to cause inflammation. It may manifest itself:
- Stressful situation;
- Hypothermia;
- Influenza delayed.
Inflammation is caused by an infectious agent, metabolic disorders and immunity disorders. With the enhanced function of the body's defense system, the immune system works against itself.
Signs of arthritis
This joint pathology is manifested by the main and additional signs. The main ones are:
- Pain in the joints. It is strong, worse at night;
- Redness of the dermis over the affected joint, swelling.
Additional signs of inflammatory disease are also seen:
- night pains, which manifest with complete rest;
- pain relief when moving;
- morning stiffness. An hour passes;
- redness, swelling of the knees;
- attacks of severe pain in the knee region. They last for several days;
- the presence of dense nodules under the skin;
- subfebrile temperature;
- alternating swelling of the joints;
- Blistering in the dermis, redness. They indicate the development of a reactive form of pathology;
- decreased appetite;
- weight loss.
Signs of arthrosis
The joint injury considered continues with major and additional signs. Among the main ones are:
- Grinding of the joints;
- location in the knee area;
- limit the mobility of the connection;
- Pain is more common when moving. In a calm state, it rarely appears;
- deformation of the joint. Their appearance changes, the direction of the members may change;
- deterioration of blood supply, nutrition of joint tissues.
The specific manifestations are:
- Onset of pain at night;
- pain decreasing at rest;
- NSAIDs do not relieve pain;
- painful crunch;
- limited joint mobility;
- overgrowth of osteophytes.
Differences in major joint injuries
The main difference between arthrosis and arthritis is represented by the fact that arthrosis is a pathology of the joints that destroys and deforms it. Arthritis affects the functioning of internal organs. The kidneys, heart and liver suffer from this disease. When choosing a treatment, doctors pay special attention to Organs internal organs.
To facilitate the distinction of diseases, we will illustrate them below.
| Signs of pathology | Osteoarthritis | Arthritis/ zxtr>| Pain syndrome |
Usually appears after the move. Pains are also felt after intense effort. People do not pay enough attention, thinking that pain causes excessive effort. The disease progresses and leads to painful sensations during light loads on the joint. The knees are also uncomfortable on rest days, when the joint is not affected. In a comfortable position, the pain does not bother and lessens. |
With this pathology, the pain is felt all the time (with vigorous physical activity, at work, in a calm state). The disease is characterized by night pains, which are usually disturbing from 3 to 5 in the morning. |
Crunch |
It is characteristic of this connection failure. Its occurrence is caused by the destruction of the cartilaginous layer, bone friction. At the same time, a specific sound is heard (dry, rough). Increases with disease progression. |
| Decreased joint mobility |
The affected joint reduces the range of motion. |
The joints, the whole body, are linked. |
Deformation of the joint |
It gradually appears in the joints. If the disease worsens the type of painful pain. There is usually no swelling. |
Warp is also present. The area of the affected joint turns red, swells. After pressing, a sharp pain is felt. Possible nodules. The temperature of the inflammation site increases. |
Blood test results |
Osteoarthritis does not tend to affect blood test scores. The inflammatory markers remain unchanged. |
This disease is characterized by an increase in ESR. An increase in the level of leukocytes indicates the course of inflammation in the joint. Biochemical analysis data show an increase in inflammatory markers. |
Location |
Most often attached to the knee joints. Less commonly, the disease covers the joints of the fingers and ankle. |
| |
Is there a difference between arthrosis and gonarthrosis of the knee joint? Gonarthrosis is an arthrosis that develops in the area of the knee joints. This pathology can be confused with several diseases:
- Meniscopathy.It is represented by damage to the menisci. This pathology, blockage of the knee joint, can be observed in patients of different ages, of both sexes. Basically, a connection is subject to damage. The difference with gonarthrosis is rapid development. It is manifested by a snap, sharp pain in the joints after running, jumping, walking. After 10 - 15 minutes. sharp pains pass.
- Coxarthrosis(arthrosis of the hip joint). This diagnosis can be made due to the pain reflex in the region from the hip joint to the knee. It is very easy to differentiate this state. With coxarthrosis, the mobility of the knee joint does not change. It folds easily, without pain. Doctors note a decrease in the ability to rotate the leg "from the hip". It is also difficult to spread your legs out to the sides.
- Vascular painmanifested in the knee. Pain may indicate poor circulation in the knee joint area. These sensations are observed in adolescence. Right now, there is active growth. The vessels do not have time to develop as quickly as the bones. Pain in pathology is symmetrical, it manifests itself equally in both limbs.
- Periarthritis. With inflammation of the knee tendons, pain is felt when carrying heavy bags, when descending a ladder. Most of the time, the pathology is seen in women over 40 years old. The pain does not extend to the entire knee. It is felt only on the inner surface of the knees. Knee mobility is unlimited.
Differential diagnosis
With the described joint diseases, the doctor advises the patient to make differential diagnoses. It is important to distinguish between arthritis and osteoarthritis. There are also several subtypes of arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs in several stages.
To distinguish these two pathologies from each other and from a series of other knee injuries, name:
- X-rays of compounds;
- blood biochemistry;
- rheumatic tests;
- CT;
- X-ray of the spine;
- MRI;
- bone scintigraphy.
Treatment of joint injuries
It is important to know what pathology you have been diagnosed with (osteoarthritis or arthritis of the knee joint) and not to be confused. In the treatment of these diseases, several approaches are used.
Medicines for the treatment of osteoarthritis
In treating osteoarthritis, doctors use medications (pain relievers, hormonal medications). they also use physiotherapeutic procedures, therapeutic exercises, massages. If the case of the condition is especially severe, drugs containing glucosamine sulfate are used. In some cases, surgery is necessary.
Therapeutic course for arthritis
Doctors choose a therapeutic course for arthritis taking into account the form of the pathology. Patients should avoid physical increase. loads, excessive intake of alcoholic beverages, unhealthy eating. Therapy is carried out with the use of medications (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics). To increase the effectiveness of the treatment performed, physiotherapy procedures and exercise therapy are prescribed.
Prevention of joint pathologies
To prevent the development of pathologies such as osteoarthritis or arthritis of the knee joint, it is worth listening to the recommendations of experts. As a preventive measure, you must meet the following requirements:
- Adequate nutrition;
- Physical moderate load.
Each of these activities will be necessary even after treatment. Let's consider the characteristics of each of them.
Physical activity
They must be moderated. These exercises contribute to weight loss, strengthening the corset of muscle fibers and increasing blood circulation. Each item is very important in preventing joint disease.
Heavy load on connections
Patients need to be careful. If you put a greater load on the joints, accidentally injuring them, you can get the opposite effect. Instead of improving the condition, new problems will appear. It is also dangerous to perform inappropriate exercises in the exercise therapy complex. All classes must be taught under the supervision of an instructor, an attending physician.
Joint gymnastics
As a preventive measure, just do joint exercises. It is very common. It's easy to do. In addition, there is no need to purchase special equipment. Special attention should be paid to exercises in the pool. When performing any activity in the water, the load on the joints is minimal.
Adequate nutrition
Doctors recommend reviewing your diet, preferences when choosing foods. For prevention purposes, doctors recommend excluding a number of products from the daily menu. Among them:
- Red meat;
- Alcohol;
- Foods with a high fat content.
Must be included in the diet:
- Seafood;
- Fruit;
- Fish;
- Gelatine (can be used as meat gelatine, dessert gelatine);
- Vegetables
Drink 2 to 3 liters of water a day. Alcohol is excluded. You need to start taking vitamins: calcium, D, B, A.
Other preventive measures are:
- Weight control;
- Protection against joint hypothermia;
- Mandatory maintenance of a healthy lifestyle;
- Sleep, correct rest;
- Wear comfortable shoes. It is possible to wear shoes with orthopedic insole, comfortable heel;
- Elimination of a bad habit such as crossing your legs while sitting;
- Eliminate stress.