Arthritis and osteoarthritis are complex diseases that affect the joints.Because of the similar symptoms, many people think that these diseases are identical, but that is not the case.Arthritis and arthritis differ in their causes, nature of development, areas of damage, and completely different treatment requirements.
Suppose two people go to the doctor complaining of joint pain.One was diagnosed with arthritis, the other with arthritis.While both patients sat in line, they had time to briefly discuss their health problems.
It turns out their symptoms are very similar: their joints hurt, they don't bend/don't bend as hard, they don't rest at night or during the day.Even the diagnoses are the same, but they are still different.What is the difference between arthritis and arthrosis if both diseases affect the joints?
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints.It is always preceded by damage to bone or cartilage tissue by a number of factors.
Biologically active substances are released from destroyed cells, causing an inflammatory response.The vessels in the affected area dilate and fill with blood: thanks to this, immune cells appear in the joint tissue to fight harmful factors.
At the same time, the liquid portion of the blood leaves the vessel lumen and forms edema, limiting the area of inflammation.This is the body's way of protecting itself from widespread damage from bacteria, foreign objects, and chemicals.
After complete or partial removal of the pathogen, the wound healing mechanism will begin.If the damage is mild, normal tissue function will be restored.Deep defects heal through a scar, an area of rough connective tissue that does not perform the normal function of an organ.
Arthritis goes through all of the following stages:
- change – damage;
- discharge – edema formation;
- proliferation - healing.
Reason
There are many causes of the disease, we list the main ones:
- Streptococcal infections (tonsillitis, scarlet fever) often cause complications - rheumatism;
- active autoantibodies - proteins that the body produces against its own tissues;This condition develops when there are errors in the immune defense system, due to which it perceives the joints as foreign elements for the body - rheumatoid arthritis;
- Purine metabolism disorders lead 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;
- long-term use of certain inflammatory drugs (isoniazid, D-penicillins, hydralazine, proboinami) - drug-induced arthritis;
- bacteria introduced through the bloodstream or during surgery - septic arthritis;
- Viral or bacterial infection of any location can indirectly affect joint tissue - this is reactive arthritis;
- acute trauma - recent damage (bump, bruise, cyst rupture).
Symptom
The disease is characterized by an acute initial stage, that is, against the background of complete health, a person has severe pain in the joints.Autoimmune forms are characterized by symmetrical damage to small joints - interphalangeal joints, wrists and elbows.
In most cases, gout begins with inflammation of the joint between the big toe and the foot.With bacterial and reactive arthritis, large joints are usually affected on one side: knee, hip, sacrum (at the junction of the spine with the pelvis).
Rheumatism develops against a background of fever and general weakness, often accompanied by a sore throat.Severe inflammation of bone, cartilage tissue and synovial membrane may occur with fever, systemic intoxication: headache, weakness, loss of appetite.
The skin over the joint turns red and feels hotter to the touch than other areas.Externally, it looks swollen and increased in volume.If the damage occurs only on one side, the difference between the healthy and diseased limb can be clearly seen.
Limited movement is associated with swelling and pain.If the joint cavity is slightly inflamed, then it functions almost completely.With a pronounced pathological reaction, the entire synovial cavity can be filled with fluid - in this case the ability to move is significantly limited.
Treatment
Treatment is carried out by a general practitioner, rheumatologist or traumatologist - if the cause is mechanical damage.Therapy is aimed at removing the irritant and stopping inflammation.
For bacterial and reactive arthritis, antibiotics are required, for autoimmune arthritis - cytostatics or glucocorticoids, for allergic arthritis - glucocorticoids and antihistamines.
Inflammatory fluid is removed with a syringe or special suction during arthroscopy.The joint is immobilized during the entire period of acute inflammation.Afterwards, the patient is instructed in therapeutic exercises to restore joint mobility.
Doctor's advice
From personal practice and the work experience of colleagues, gelatin compresses have had a beneficial effect on arthritis of any cause.They are easy to make and cheap.You need to fold the gauze into several layers, length and width so that it is just enough for the painful joint.Dip the folded gauze in hot water, wring it out and straighten it.Sprinkle a thin layer of gelatin on top, roll it up so it fits inside like a bag and doesn't spill out.Place it in the joint, cover it with a plastic bag on top and secure it with tape and/or adhesive plaster.You can apply it for up to 3 hours, do it 2 times a day for 2 weeks.Usually the effect is felt on the 4-5th day of use, but treatment must be continued to achieve the desired results;If the course is interrupted, the pain will return.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis (also known as osteoarthritis) is a degenerative disease.It is based on nutritional deterioration of articular cartilage, slower recovery and gradual thinning.
Simply put, cartilage is erased faster than it is restored.The bone and joint surfaces are exposed.They are not as smooth as cartilage and when they move they rub against each other with force.The bone plates are partially destroyed and mild chronic inflammation develops.
As the disease progresses, bone spurs develop in the joints - a protective tissue response to continued damage.They prevent the surfaces from sliding relative to each other and joint mobility is impaired.
Joint disease in most people begins to progress after 30-40 years of age, lasts for many years, and symptoms are mild or moderate.
Vertebral osteoarthritis is often called osteoarthritis.
Reason
There are influencing factors that cause the development of pathology at an early age and complicate its course:
- heavy physical activity in athletes;
- obesity;
- history of joint injury;
- vascular disease;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- violation of the normal configuration of the joints, for example, with flat feet;
- prolonged exposure to vibration;
- in women - hormonal imbalance or menopause.
Symptom
Large joints are usually affected on one side: knee, hip, sacrum.The disease begins unnoticed.At first, pain is rare and associated with significant physical activity.
The discomfort will go away the same day or after a few days if the person rests.As the disease progresses, pain intensity increases and occurs even during normal daily activities.
Joint mobility gradually decreases and due to disease, it is completely lost.Movement in the affected limb causes severe pain.Osteoarthritis can worsen depending on the type of arthritis - fluid accumulates in the joint cavity, the skin on it turns red and becomes hot.After the inflammatory response subsides, the course of the disease will return to its previous course.
Treatment
Treatment of joint diseases is performed by traumatologists, orthopedists, and sometimes surgeons.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 with medication.
During the inter-term period, chondroprotectors are prescribed in the form of tablets and ointments, therapeutic exercises and massage.In more severe cases, chondroprotective drugs are administered intravenously or intramuscularly along with analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs.A traumatologist may inject protective medication directly into the joint every few months.
Advanced stages of the disease require surgical intervention, in which the diseased joint is replaced with an artificial joint.
Differences between diseases
| Sign | Arthritis | Arthritis |
| Cause of disease | Inflammation | Degeneration of cartilage tissue |
| Present | Acute and chronic with exacerbations | Chronic |
| Painful | Intense from the start, more pronounced in the morning | At first the disease was weak, but gradually increased.Increases in the evening and after exercise |
| Movement | It is necessary to "disperse" - in the morning after sleep, the joints are least mobile | Movement gradually decreases, morning stiffness is no longer present |
| Joints are affected | Small joints of the hands and feet are affected symmetrically.The older ones are infected with bacteria | One or more large joints on different sides of the body |
| Blood test | Marked inflammatory changes in general blood tests, rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, antibodies to pathogens | There are no changes in properties |
| X-ray | Staged changes, osteoporosis - loss of bone tissue, cysts in the bones | Gradual changes, deformation of the joint space, the appearance of bone spurs and bone growth. |
| Basic treatment | Anti-inflammatory drugs | Chondroprotectors |
The common feature of both diseases is a progressive course with gradual loss of mobility.Autoimmune arthritis often manifests itself at a young age, when a person is still careless about his health.
It must be remembered that any persistent joint pain occurs under certain conditions - this is a serious reason to consult a doctor.It is important to diagnose the disease promptly and begin treatment to slow down the development of the pathological process.