Arthritis and arthrosis are complex diseases that affect the joints.Due to similar symptoms, many people think that these diseases are identical, but this is not the case.Arthritis and arthrosis differ in the causes of the disease, the nature of its development, the affected area and require completely different treatment.
Suppose two people go to the doctor complaining of joint pain.One was diagnosed with arthritis and the other with osteoarthritis.As the two patients sat in line, they took time to briefly discuss their health issues.
It turned out that the symptoms are very similar: the joints hurt, they do not bend/unfold with full force, they do not give rest either at night or during the day.Even the diagnoses are similar, but they are still different.What is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis if both diseases affect the joints?
What is arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints.It is always preceded by some factor of damage to bone or cartilage tissue.
Biologically active substances are released from the destroyed cells, which trigger an inflammatory reaction.The vessels in the affected area dilate and fill with blood: as a result, immune cells emerge in the joint tissue to combat the harmful factor.
At the same time, the liquid part of the blood leaves the vascular bed and edema forms, which limits the area of inflammation.This is how the body protects itself from extensive damage caused by bacteria, foreign bodies and chemicals.
After total or partial removal of the pathogen, the healing mechanism begins.If the damage is minor, normal tissue function will be restored.Deep defects heal through a scar, an area of rough connective tissue that does not perform normal organ function.
Arthritis goes through all of these stages:
- alteration – damage;
- exudation – formation of edema;
- proliferation - healing.
Reasons
The causes of the disease are numerous, we list the main ones:
- streptococcal infection (tonsillitis, scarlet fever) often causes a complication - rheumatism;
- aggressive autoantibodies - proteins that the body produces to fight its own tissues;this situation develops when there is an error in the immune defense, as a result of which it perceives the joints as a foreign element in the body - rheumatoid arthritis;
- a violation of purine metabolism leads to the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints - gout;
- allergic reactions can involve joint tissue with the development of an inflammatory reaction – allergic arthritis;
- prolonged use of certain medications causes inflammation (isoniazid, D-penicillins, hydralazine, proboinami) - drug-induced arthritis;
- bacteria are introduced through the bloodstream or during surgery - infectious arthritis;
- a viral or bacterial infection anywhere can indirectly affect the joint tissue - this is reactive arthritis;
- acute injury - recent damage (impact, hematoma, capsule rupture).
Symptoms
The disease is characterized by an acute initial stage, that is, in a context of full health, the person develops severe pain in the joints.Autoimmune forms are characterized by symmetric damage to small joints - interphalangeal joints of fingers, wrists and elbows.
In the vast majority of cases, gout begins with inflammation of the joint between the big toe and the foot.In bacterial and reactive arthritis, large joints are usually affected on one side: knee, hip, sacrum (at the junction of the spine and pelvic bones).
Rheumatism develops against a background of fever and general weakness, usually preceded by a sore throat.Severe inflammation of bones, cartilage tissue and synovium can occur with fever, general intoxication: headache, weakness, lack of appetite.
The skin over the joint turns red and feels warmer to the touch than other areas.Externally, it appears swollen and increases in volume.If the injury occurs on only one side, the difference between the healthy limb and the diseased limb is visible.
Limited movement is associated with swelling and pain.If the joint cavity is slightly inflamed, it works almost completely.With a pronounced pathological reaction, the entire synovial cavity can be filled with fluid - in this case, mobility is severely limited.
Treatment
Treatment is carried out by a general practitioner, rheumatologist or traumatologist - if the cause is mechanical damage.Therapy is aimed at eliminating the provoking factor and stopping inflammation.
For bacterial and reactive arthritis, antibiotics are needed, for autoimmune arthritis - cytostatics or glucocorticoids, for allergic arthritis - glucocorticoids and antihistamines.
The inflammatory fluid is removed with a syringe or special suction during arthroscopy.The joint is immobilized throughout the period of acute inflammation.The patient is then introduced to therapeutic exercises to restore joint mobility.
Doctor's advice
From personal practice and the work experience of colleagues, gelatin compresses have worked well for joint inflammation of any etiology.They are easy to implement and inexpensive.It is necessary to fold the gauze in several layers, the length and width should be sufficient for the sore joint.Soak the folded gauze in hot water, squeeze and straighten.Sprinkle a thin layer of gelatin on top, roll it up so that it stays inside, like a bag, and doesn't spill.Place it on the joint, wrap it with a plastic bag on top and secure it with a bandage and/or tape.You can use the compress for up to 3 hours, do this twice a day for 2 weeks.Usually the effect is felt on the 4-5th day of use, but therapy must be continued to achieve the desired result;if the course is interrupted, the pain will return.
What is osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (otherwise osteoarthritis) is a degenerative disease.It is based on the deterioration of nutrition of the articular cartilage, slower recovery and gradual thinning.
Simply put, the cartilage layer is erased faster than it is restored.The bony articular surfaces are exposed.They are not as smooth as cartilage, and when they move, they rub against each other hard.The bone plates are partially destroyed and mild chronic inflammation develops.
As the disease progresses, bony spines grow in the joint - a protective tissue reaction to constant damage.They prevent surfaces from sliding relative to each other and impairing joint mobility.
Osteoarthritis in most people begins to progress after 30-40 years, lasts for years, its symptoms are mild or moderate.
Osteoarthritis of the vertebral joints is commonly called osteochondrosis.
Reasons
There are predisposing factors that provoke the development of pathology at an early age and complicate its course:
- intense physical activity in athletes;
- obesity;
- history of joint injury;
- vascular diseases;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- violation of the normal configuration of the joint, for example, with flat feet;
- prolonged exposure to vibrations;
- in women - hormonal imbalance or menopause.
Symptoms
Large joints are usually affected on one side: knee, hip, sacrum.The disease starts unnoticed.At first, pain is rare and is associated with significant physical activity.
The discomfort disappears the same day or after a few days if the person can rest.As the disease progresses, the intensity of the pain increases and occurs even during normal daily activities.
The mobility of the joint gradually decreases and with the disease it is completely lost.Movements in the affected limb cause intense pain.Osteoarthritis can worsen depending on the type of arthritis - fluid builds up in the joint cavity, the skin becomes red and hot.After the inflammatory reaction subsides, the course of the disease returns to the previous course.
Treatment
Arthrosis treatment is carried out by a traumatologist, an orthopedist and, sometimes, a surgeon.Therapy is aimed at restoring metabolic processes in cartilage, improving joint nutrition and eliminating the inflammatory reaction.Treatment is lifelong and can be continuous or in medication cycles.
During the interictal period, chondroprotectors are prescribed in the form of tablets and ointments, therapeutic exercises and massages.In case of exacerbation, chondroprotectors are administered intravenously or intramuscularly together with analgesics and anti-inflammatories.A traumatologist may inject protective medications directly into the joint every few months.
Advanced stages of the disease require surgical intervention, during which the diseased joint is replaced with an artificial one.
Differences between diseases
| To sign | Arthritis | Osteoarthritis |
| Cause of the disease | Inflammation | Degeneration of cartilaginous tissue |
| Current | Acute, chronic with exacerbations | Chronic |
| Pain | Intense from the start, more pronounced in the morning | At the beginning of the disease it is weak, but gradually increases.Increases at night and after exercise |
| Movements | It is necessary to “disperse” - in the morning, after sleeping, the joints become less mobile | Mobility gradually decreases, without morning stiffness |
| Affected joints | The small joints of the hands and feet are affected symmetrically.Large ones suffer from bacterial infection | One or more large joints on different sides of the body |
| Blood test | Pronounced inflammatory changes in the general blood test, rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, antibodies to pathogens | No characteristic changes |
| X-ray | Changes in stages, osteoporosis - loss of bone tissue, cysts in the bones | Gradual changes, deformation of the joint space, appearance of pimples and bone protuberances. |
| Basic treatment | Anti-inflammatory medications | Chondroprotectors |
A similar feature of both diseases is a progressive course with gradual loss of mobility.Autoimmune arthritis usually manifests itself at a young age, when a person is still careless about their health.
It must be remembered that any joint pain that lasts for a long time occurs under certain conditions - this is a serious reason to consult a doctor.It is important to diagnose the disease in time and begin treatment to slow down the development of the pathological process.