Arthritis and osteoarthritis are complex diseases that affect the joints.Due to similar symptoms, many people think that these diseases are the same, but this is not the case.Arthritis and arthrosis differ in the causes of the disease, the way it develops, the area of damage and require completely different treatment.
Suppose two people go to the doctor and complain about joint pain.One was diagnosed with arthritis and the other with osteoarthritis.While both patients sat in line, they had time to briefly talk about their health issues.
It turned out that their symptoms are very similar: their joints hurt, they don't bend/bend with full force, they don't allow themselves to rest at night or during the day.The diagnoses are also similar, but still different.What is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis when both conditions 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 caused by a certain factor.
Biologically active substances are released from destroyed cells, which trigger an inflammatory reaction.The vessels in the affected area expand and fill with blood: this causes immune cells to penetrate the joint tissue to combat the damaging factor.
At the same time, the liquid part of the blood leaves the vascular bed and edema forms, limiting the area of inflammation.This protects the body 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 of these stages:
- change – damage;
- Exudation – formation of edema;
- Dissemination - healing.
Reasons
There are very many causes of the disease, we list the most important 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 arises when there is a defect in the immune system, due to which it perceives the joints as a foreign element - rheumatoid arthritis;
- a violation of purine metabolism leads to the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints - gout;
- Allergic reactions can affect the joint tissue and develop an inflammatory reaction – allergic arthritis;
- Long-term use of certain drugs leads to 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 of any localization can indirectly affect the joint tissue - this is reactive arthritis.
- acute injury – recent damage (impact, bruise, capsular rupture).
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 symmetrical damage to small joints - the 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, sacrum (at the junction of the spine with the pelvic bones).
Rheumatism develops against the background of fever and general weakness, which is usually preceded by a sore throat.A fever can lead to severe inflammation of the bones, cartilage tissue and the inner lining of the joints, general intoxication: headaches, weakness, loss of appetite.
The skin over the joint becomes red and feels hotter than other areas.Externally, it looks swollen and increases in volume.If the lesion occurs only on one side, the difference between the healthy and the diseased limb is visible.
Restricted mobility is accompanied by swelling and pain.When the joint cavity is slightly inflamed, it functions almost completely.With a pronounced pathological reaction, the entire joint cavity can be filled with fluid - in this case, mobility is severely limited.
Treatment
Treatment is carried out by a family doctor, rheumatologist or traumatologist - if the cause is mechanical damage.Therapy is aimed at eliminating the triggering factor and stopping the inflammation.
Antibiotics are required for bacterial and reactive arthritis, cytostatics or glucocorticoids for autoimmune arthritis, and glucocorticoids and antihistamines for allergic arthritis.
During arthroscopy, the inflammatory fluid is removed using a syringe or special suction.The joint is immobilized for the entire duration of the acute inflammation.The patient is then shown therapeutic exercises to restore joint mobility.
Doctor's advice
From our own practice and the work experience of colleagues, compresses with gelatin have proven to be effective for joint inflammation of any origin.They are easy to implement and inexpensive.You need to fold the gauze in several layers, the length and width should be such that it is enough for the painful joint.Dip the folded gauze in hot water, squeeze and flatten.Sprinkle a thin layer of gelatin on top and roll it up so that it goes into a bag and doesn't run out.Place it on the joint, wrap it with 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 this 2 times a day for 2 weeks.Usually the effect is noticeable on the 4th-5th day of use, but therapy must be continued to achieve the desired result;If the course is interrupted, the pain returns.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (otherwise osteoarthritis) is a degenerative disease.It is due to a deterioration in the nutrition of the articular cartilage, slower recovery and gradual thinning.
To put it simply, the cartilage layer is broken down faster than it is restored.The bony articular surfaces are exposed.They are not as smooth as cartilage and rub against each other a lot when you move.The bone plates are partially destroyed and mild chronic inflammation occurs.
As the disease progresses, bone spines grow in the joint - a protective tissue response to constant damage.They prevent the surfaces from slipping relative to one another and impairing the mobility of the joint.
In most people, osteoarthritis begins to progress after age 30 to 40, lasts for years, and symptoms are mild to moderate.
Osteoarthritis of the vertebral joints is commonly referred to as osteochondrosis.
Reasons
There are predisposing factors that cause the development of pathology at an early age and complicate its course:
- heavy physical activity in athletes;
- Obesity;
- history of joint injuries;
- vascular diseases;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- Violation of the normal configuration of the joints, for example, in flat feet;
- prolonged exposure to vibration;
- in women - hormonal imbalance or menopause.
Symptoms
Large joints are usually affected on one side: knees, hips, sacrum.The disease begins unnoticed.The pain is initially rare and is associated with considerable physical exertion.
The discomfort disappears the same day or after a few days if the person manages to rest.As the disease progresses, the pain intensity increases and also occurs during normal everyday activities.
The mobility of the joint gradually decreases and is completely lost due to the disease.Movements in the affected limb cause severe pain.Depending on the type of arthritis, osteoarthritis can worsen - fluid collects in the joint cavity, the skin over it becomes red and hot.After the inflammatory reaction subsides, the course of the disease returns to its 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 cartilage, improving joint nutrition and eliminating the inflammatory reaction.Treatment is lifelong, can be continuous or in the form of medication.
In the interictal period, chondroprotectors are prescribed in the form of tablets and ointments, therapeutic exercises and massage.In case of exacerbation, chondroprotectors are administered intravenously or intramuscularly along with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.A traumatologist can inject protective medications 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 one.
Differences between diseases
| Sign | arthritis | Osteoarthritis |
| Cause of illness | 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.Increases in the evening and after training |
| movements | It is necessary to “disperse” - in the morning after sleep, the joints are least mobile | Mobility gradually decreases, no morning stiffness |
| Affected joints | The small joints of the hands and feet are affected symmetrically.Large ones suffer from a 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 against pathogens | No characteristic changes |
| roentgen | Gradual changes, osteoporosis – loss of bone tissue, cysts in the bones | Gradual changes, deformation of the joint space, appearance of bone spines and outgrowths. |
| Basic treatment | Anti-inflammatory drugs | Chondroprotectors |
A similar feature of both diseases is a progressive course with gradual loss of mobility.Autoimmune arthritis often manifests itself at a young age, when people still place little value on their health.
It is worth remembering that under certain conditions, prolonged joint pain occurs - this is a serious reason to see a doctor.It is important to diagnose the disease in a timely manner and start treatment in order to slow down the development of the pathological process.