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 area of damage and require completely different treatment.
Suppose two people went to the doctor complaining of joint pain.One is diagnosed with arthritis and the other with arthrosis.While both patients sat in line, they had time to briefly discuss their health concerns.
It turned out that their symptoms are very similar: their joints hurt, they don't bend/extend with full force, they don't rest either at night or during the day.Even the diagnoses are similar, but 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 joint.It is always preceded by damage to the bone or cartilage tissue from some factor.
Biologically active substances are released from the destroyed cells, which cause an inflammatory reaction.The vessels in the affected area dilate and fill with blood: because of this, immune cells enter the joint tissue to fight the damaging 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.This is the body's way of protecting itself from major damage from bacteria, foreign bodies and chemicals.
After complete or partial removal of the pathogenic agent, the healing mechanism is started.If the damage is minor, then 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;
- 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 there is an error in the immune defense, due to which it perceives the joints as a foreign element for the body - rheumatoid arthritis;
- disorder of purine metabolism leads to deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints - gout;
- allergic reactions can affect joint tissue with the development of an inflammatory reaction - allergic arthritis;
- long-term use of certain drugs 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 of any localization can indirectly affect the joint tissue - this is reactive arthritis;
- acute injury - recent injury (blow, bruise, rupture of capsule).
Symptoms
The disease is characterized by an acute initial stage, i.e.against the background of complete health, a person develops acute pain in the joint.Autoimmune forms are characterized by symmetrical damage to small joints - interphalangeal joints of the fingers, wrists and elbows.
In the 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 joint, sacral (at the junction of the spine with the pelvic bones).
Rheumatism develops against the background of fever and general weakness, usually preceded by sore throat.Severe inflammation of bone, cartilage tissue and synovium can occur with fever, general intoxication: headache, weakness, lack of appetite.
The skin over the joint becomes red and feels hotter to the touch than other areas.Outwardly, it looks swollen and increases in volume.If the lesion appears only on one side, then the difference between the healthy limb and the diseased one is visible.
Limited movement is associated with swelling and pain.If the joint cavity is slightly inflamed, then it works almost completely.With a pronounced pathological reaction, the entire synovial cavity can be filled with liquid - in this case, mobility is sharply limited.
Treatment
The 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.
Antibiotics are needed for bacterial and reactive arthritis, cytostatics or glucocorticoids for autoimmune arthritis, glucocorticoids and antihistamines for allergic arthritis.
The inflammatory fluid is removed with a syringe or special suction during arthroscopy.The joint is immobilized for the entire period of acute inflammation.The patient is then shown therapeutic exercises to restore joint mobility.
Doctor's advice
From personal practice and the work experience of colleagues, compresses with gelatin have had a good effect on joint inflammation of any etiology.They are easy to implement and inexpensive.You need to fold the gauze in several layers, and the length and width should be such that it is enough for the diseased joint.Dip the folded gauze in hot water, wring out and straighten.A thin layer of gelatin is sprinkled on top, rolled up so that it is inside like an envelope and does not spread.Place it over the joint, wrap it with a plastic bag over the top, and secure it with a bandage and/or band-aid.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 the therapy must continue to achieve the desired result;if the course is interrupted, the pain will return.
What is arthrosis?
Arthritis (also known as osteoarthritis) is a degenerative disease.It is based on deterioration of nutrition of the articular cartilage, slower recovery and gradual thinning.
Simply put, the cartilage layer wears out faster than it is repaired.The bony articular surfaces are exposed.They are not smooth like cartilage and rub against each other with force when moving.Bone plates are partially destroyed and mild chronic inflammation develops.
As the disease progresses, bone spurs grow in the joint - a protective response of the tissue to permanent damage.They prevent the surfaces from sliding relative to each other and joint mobility is impaired.
Arthritis in most people begins to progress after 30-40 years, lasts for years, the symptoms are mild or moderate.
Osteoarthritis of the spinal joints is usually called osteochondrosis.
Reasons
There are predisposing factors that cause the development of the pathology at an early age and complicate its course:
- heavy physical exertion 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 vibration;
- in women - hormonal imbalance or menopause.
Symptoms
Large joints are usually affected on one side: knee, hip, sacral.The disease begins unnoticed.In the beginning, pain is rare and is associated with significant physical exertion.
Discomfort disappears on the same day or after a few days if the person manages to rest.As the disease progresses, the intensity of pain increases and occurs even during normal daily activities.
The mobility of the joint gradually decreases and as a result of the disease it 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 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, orthopedist, and sometimes by a surgeon.The therapy is aimed at restoring the metabolic processes in the cartilage, improving the nutrition of the joints and eliminating the inflammatory reaction.Treatment is lifelong, it can be long-term or course with drugs.
During the inter-attack 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 pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory drugs.The traumatologist can inject protective drugs 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 | Arthrosis |
| Cause of 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.It increases in the evening and after training |
| Movements | It is necessary to "spread out" - in the morning after sleep, the joints are the least mobile | Mobility gradually decreases, there is no morning stiffness |
| Affected joints | The small joints of the hands and feet are symmetrically affected.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 |
| x-ray | Stage changes, osteoporosis - loss of bone tissue, cysts in the bones | Gradual changes, deformation of the joint cleft, appearance of bone spurs and growths. |
| Basic treatment | Anti-inflammatory drugs | Chondroprotectors |
A similar feature of both diseases is the progressive course with 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 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 start its treatment in order to slow down the development of the pathological process.