Arthritis and osteoarthritis are complex diseases that affect the joints.Because of the 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 area of damage and require completely different treatment.
Suppose two people went to the doctor complaining of joint pain.One was diagnosed with arthritis and the other with osteoarthritis.While both patients sat in a row, they had time to briefly discuss their health problems.
It turned out that their symptoms are very similar: they hurt their joints, they do not bend/bend with full force, they do not rest either at night or during the day.The diagnoses are also 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 joint.It is always preceded by damage to the bone or cartilage tissue due to some factor.
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: in this way immune cells emerge in the joint tissue to fight the harmful factor.
At the same time, the liquid part of the blood leaves the vascular bed and edema is formed, which limits the area of inflammation.In this way the body protects itself from extensive damage caused by bacteria, foreign bodies and chemicals.
After complete or partial removal of the pathogen, the healing mechanism is started.If the damage was minor, normal tissue function is 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 these stages:
- alteration – damage;
- exudation – formation of edema;
- proliferation - healing.
Reasons
There are many causes of the disease, 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 an error occurs in the immune defense, so the joints are perceived as a foreign element to 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;
- long-term use of some drugs causes inflammation (isoniazid, D-penicillins, hydralazine, proboinams) - drug-induced arthritis;
- bacteria are introduced through the bloodstream or during surgery - infectious arthritis;
- a viral or bacterial infection of any location can indirectly affect the joint tissue: this is reactive arthritis;
- acute injury - recent damage (impact, contusion, rupture of the capsule).
Symptoms
The disease is characterized by an acute initial stage, that is, against the background of complete health, a person develops severe pain in the joint.Autoimmune forms are characterized by symmetric damage to small joints: interphalangeal joints of the 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, sacral (at the junction of the spine with the pelvic bones).
Rheumatism develops against a background of fever and general weakness, usually preceded by sore throat.Severe inflammation of the bones, cartilaginous 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 lesion occurs on only one side then the difference between the healthy and 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 the 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 for the entire period of acute inflammation.Next, the patient is shown 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 economical.It is necessary to fold the gauze in several layers, the length and width should be such that they are sufficient for the sore joint.Soak the folded gauze in hot water, wring it out and iron it.Sprinkle a thin layer of gelatin on top, roll up so that it ends up inside, like in a bag, and does not come out.Place it on the joint, wrap a plastic bag over it and secure it with a bandage and/or adhesive plaster.You can wear the compress 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 it is necessary to continue the therapy to obtain the desired result;if the course is stopped, the pain will return.
What is osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (or osteoarthritis) is a degenerative disease.It is based on the deterioration of the 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 smooth like cartilage and when they move they rub against each other forcefully.The bone plates are partially destroyed and a mild chronic inflammation develops.
As the disease progresses, bone spines grow into the joint, a protective tissue reaction to constant damage.They prevent the surfaces from sliding relative to each other and the mobility of the joint is impaired.
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 cause the development of the pathology at an early age and complicate its course:
- intense physical activity in athletes;
- obesity;
- history of joint injuries;
- 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, sacral.The disease begins unnoticed.Initially, pain is rare and is associated with significant physical activity.
The discomfort disappears the same day or after a few days if the person manages to rest.As the disease progresses, the intensity of the pain increases and also occurs during normal daily activities.
The mobility of the joint gradually decreases and, due to the disease, is completely lost.Movements in the affected limb cause severe pain.Osteoarthritis can worsen depending on the type of arthritis: fluid accumulates in the joint cavity, the skin above it turns red and becomes hot.After the inflammatory reaction subsides, the course of the disease returns to the previous course.
Treatment
Treatment of arthrosis is carried out by a traumatologist, an orthopedist, and sometimes a surgeon.Therapy is aimed at restoring metabolic processes in the cartilage, improving joint nutrition and eliminating the inflammatory reaction.Treatment lasts a lifetime, it can be continuous or courses of drugs.
During the interictal period, chondroprotectors are prescribed in the form of tablets and ointments, therapeutic exercises and massage.In case of a flare-up, chondroprotectors are administered intravenously or intramuscularly together with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.A trauma surgeon can inject protective medications directly into the joint every few months.
Advanced stages of the disease require surgery, during which the diseased joint is replaced with an artificial one.
Differences between diseases
| Sign | Arthritis | Arthrosis |
| Cause of the disease | Inflammation | Degeneration of cartilage 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.Increase in the evening and after physical activity |
| Movements | It is necessary to "disperse": in the morning after sleep the joints are less mobile | Mobility gradually decreases, no morning stiffness |
| Joints affected | The small joints of the hands and feet are affected symmetrically.Large ones suffer from bacterial infections | One or more large joints on different sides of the body |
| Blood tests | Pronounced inflammatory changes in general blood test, rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, antibodies to pathogens | No characteristic changes |
| X-rays | Gradual changes, osteoporosis: bone loss, cysts in the bones | Gradual changes, deformation of the joint space, the appearance of bone spines and growths. |
| Basic treatment | Anti-inflammatory drugs | Chondroprotectors |
A similar feature of both diseases is a progressive course with a gradual loss of mobility.Autoimmune arthritis often occurs at a young age, when a person is still careless about their health.
It should be remembered that any pain in the joints that lasts 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 start treatment to slow the development of the pathological process.