Arthritis and osteoarthritis negatively affect the complete life of the patient. When the signs of the described joint injuries appear, people draw hasty 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. Let's find out their differences and how osteoarthritis differs from gonarthrosis of the knee joint.
Terminology expansion
Arthritis and osteoarthritis are considered related words. They both mean joint damage. Due to the consonance of the terms, patients often perceive them as synonyms. This approach is wrong. To know how arthritis differs from osteoarthritis of the knee joint, it is necessary to consider the characteristics of each.
Arthrosis
Osteoarthritis is represented by deformation of the joints. The pathology is considered age-related. It is more common in elderly patients. It is also found in people under 40. Most often, its occurrence is provoked by severe injuries to the joints, fractures. The risk group is represented by athletes. Read more about osteoarthritis of the knee joint.Arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammatory disease that develops in a compound. Usually its occurrence is manifested by a deterioration in the functioning of the connection. The whole body is inflamed. The disease can flare up in any joint. It can also cover multiple connections at the same time. Learn more about knee arthritis.Difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis
The difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is the nuance that an immune failure is considered a provocateur of inflammation. It can manifest itself:
- Stressful situation;
- Hypothermia;
- The flu postponed.
Inflammation is provoked by an infectious agent, metabolic disorders and immunity malfunctions. 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:
- Joint pain. It is strong, it gets worse at night;
- Redness of the dermis on the affected joint, swelling.
Additional signs of inflammatory disease are also observed:
- night pains, manifested with complete rest;
- pain relief during movement;
- morning stiffness. It passes after an hour;
- redness, swelling of the knees;
- attacks of severe pain in the knee area. They last several days;
- the presence of dense nodules under the skin;
- temperature of the subfebrile;
- alternating swelling of the joints;
- blistering of the dermis, redness. They indicate the development of a reactive form of pathology;
- decreased appetite;
- weight loss.
Signs of osteoarthritis
The joint injury considered proceeds with main and additional signs. Among the main ones are:
- Joint crunch;
- localization in the knee area;
- limit the mobility of the connection;
- Pain is more common when moving. In a calm state, it rarely appears;
- joint deformation. Its appearance changes, the direction of the limbs can change;
- deterioration of blood supply, nutrition of joint tissues.
The specific manifestations are:
- Onset of pain at night;
- pain relief at rest;
- NSAIDs do not relieve pain;
- painful crunch;
- limited joint mobility;
- overgrowth of osteophytes.
Differences in major joint injuries
The fundamental difference between osteoarthritis and arthritis is represented by the fact that osteoarthritis is a joint disease 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 internal organs.
To make it easier to distinguish diseases, we will illustrate them below.
| Signs of pathology | Osteoarthritis | Arthritis / Arthritis| Pain syndrome |
Usually appears after movement. The pains are felt even after intense effort. People don't pay enough attention, thinking that pain causes too much 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 subsides. |
With this pathology, pain is always felt (with active physical activity, at work, in a calm state). The disease is characterized by night pains, which often disturb from 3 to 5 in the morning. |
Crunch |
It is peculiar to this connection defeat. Its appearance is provoked by the destruction of the cartilage layer, bone friction. At the same time, a specific sound is heard (dry, rough). It increases with the progression of the disease. |
| Decreased joint mobility |
The affected joint reduces the range of motion. |
The joints, the whole body, are linked. |
Deformation of the joint |
Gradually appears in the joints. If the disease aggravates the painful type of pain. There is usually no swelling. |
Warp is also present. The affected joint area turns red, swells. After pressing, sharp pain is felt. Possible nodules. The temperature of the inflammation site rises. |
Blood test results |
Osteoarthritis does not tend to affect the blood test score. 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. Data from biochemical analyzes show an increase in inflammatory markers. |
Localization |
Most often fixed in the knee joints. Less commonly, the disease covers the joints of the fingers, the ankle. |
| |
Is there a difference between osteoarthritis and gonarthrosis of the knee joint? Gonarthrosis is osteoarthritis that develops in the area of the knee joints. This pathology can be confused with a number of 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, both sexes. Basically, a connection is prone to damage. The difference from gonarthrosis is the rapid development. It is manifested by a creak, sharp pain in the joint after running, jumping, walking. After 10-15 minutes. acute pains pass.
- Coxarthrosis(arthrosis of the hip joint). This diagnosis can be made due to the pain reflex in the area from the hip joint to the knee. It is quite easy to differentiate such a 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 the legs to the sides.
- Vascular painmanifested in the knee. Pain can indicate poor circulation in the knee joint area. Such sensations are observed in adolescence. At this time, there is active growth. Vessels don't have time to develop as fast as bones. Pain in pathology is symmetrical, it manifests itself equally in both limbs.
- Periarthritis. With inflammation of the hamstrings, pain is felt after carrying heavy bags, after going down the stairs. Most often, the pathology is observed in women over the age of 40. The pain does not extend to the entire knee. Felt only on the inside surface of the knees. The mobility of the knee is unlimited.
Differential diagnostics
With the described joint diseases, the doctor directs the patient to perform differential diagnostics. It is important to distinguish between arthritis and osteoarthritis. There are also several subtypes of arthritis. Osteoarthritis proceeds in several stages.
To distinguish these two pathologies from each other and from a number of other knee injuries, name:
- Radiography of compounds;
- blood biochemistry;
- rheumatic tests;
- CT;
- x-ray of the spine;
- MRI;
- bone scan.
Treatment of joint injuries
It is important to know which pathology you have been diagnosed with (osteoarthritis or arthritis of the knee joint) and not to be confused. Various approaches are used in the treatment of these diseases.
Medicines in the treatment of osteoarthritis
In the treatment of osteoarthritis, doctors use drugs (painkillers, hormonal drugs). they also use physiotherapeutic procedures, therapeutic exercises, massage. If the case of pathology is particularly severe, drugs containing glucosamine sulfate are used. In some cases, surgery is required.
Therapeutic course for arthritis
Doctors choose a therapeutic course for arthritis taking into account the form of the pathology. Patients should avoid an enhanced physique. loads, excessive intake of alcoholic beverages, unhealthy diet. Therapy is carried out with the use of drugs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics). To increase the effectiveness of the ongoing treatment, physiotherapy procedures, physical therapy are prescribed.
Prevention of joint diseases
To prevent the development of pathologies such as osteoarthritis or arthritis of the knee joint, it is worth listening to the recommendations of specialists. As a preventive measure, the following requirements must be met:
- Correct feeding;
- Moderate physical charge.
Each of these activities will be required even after the treatment. Let's consider the features of each of them.
Physical activity
They must be moderate. Such exercises contribute to weight loss, strengthening the corset of muscle fibers and increasing blood circulation. Each item is very important in the prevention of joint diseases.
Heavy load on connections
Patients need to be careful. If you put a greater load on the joints, accidentally injure them, you can achieve the opposite effect. Instead of improving the condition, new problems will appear. It is also dangerous to improperly perform exercises from the physical therapy complex. All lessons must be conducted under the supervision of an instructor, attending physician.
Joint gymnastics
As a preventive measure, it is enough to perform joint exercises. It is quite common. It is easy to do. In addition, there is no need to purchase special equipment. Particular attention should be paid to exercises in the pool. When performing any water activity, the load on the joints is minimal.
Correct power supply
Doctors recommend reviewing the diet, preferences in the choice of food. For the purpose of prevention, doctors recommend excluding a number of products from the daily menu. Among them:
- Red meat;
- Alcohol;
- Foods with high levels of fat.
Must be included in the diet:
- Seafood;
- Fruit;
- Fish;
- Jelly (can be used as jelly meat, jelly dessert);
- Vegetables
Drink 2-3 liters of water per day. Alcohol is excluded. You need to start taking vitamins: calcium, D, B, A.
Other preventive measures are:
- Weight control;
- Protection against hypothermia of the joints;
- Obligatory maintenance of a healthy lifestyle;
- Correct sleep, rest;
- Wear comfortable shoes. You can use shoes with orthopedic insoles, comfortable heels;
- Elimination of a bad habit such as crossing the legs while sitting;
- Eliminate stress.