Arthritis and osteoarthritis are complex diseases that affect the joints. Because of similar symptoms, many people think that these diseases are identical, but they are not. Arthritis and arthrosis differ in the causes of the disease, the nature of its development, the area of the lesion and require completely different treatment.
Suppose two people visit a doctor who complains of joint pain. One was diagnosed with arthritis and the other with osteoarthritis. While both patients sat in line, they had time to talk a little about their health problems.
It turned out that their symptoms are very similar: the joints hurt, they do not bend / bend at full strength, they do not rest at night or during the day. Even the diagnoses are consistent, but still different. What is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis if both diseases affect the joints?
What is arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammatory disorder of the joint. It is always preceded by damage to bone or cartilage by some factor.
Biologically active substances are released from the destroyed cells, which trigger an inflammatory reaction. The vessels in the lesion expand, filled with blood: because of that, immune cells appear in the joint tissue in order to fight against the harmful factor.
At the same time, the liquid part of the blood leaves the vascular bed and edema is created which limits the area of inflammation. Thus the body is protected from major damage by bacteria, foreign bodies and chemicals.
After complete or partial elimination of the pathogenic agent, the healing mechanism begins. If the damage was less, then normal tissue function is established. Deep defects heal through the scar - an area of rough connective tissue that does not perform its normal organ function.
Arthritis goes through all these stages:
- change - damage;
- exudation - formation of edema;
- proliferation - healing.
Reasons
The causes of the disease are great, we will list the main ones:
- streptococcal infection (tonsillitis, scarlet fever) often leads to complications - rheumatism;
- aggressive autoantibodies - proteins that the body produces in the fight against its own tissues; such a situation develops with an error in the immune defense, which is why the joints are perceived as a foreign element of the body - rheumatoid arthritis;
- violation of purine metabolism leads to the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints - gout;
- allergic reactions can affect the joint tissue with the development of an inflammatory reaction - allergic arthritis;
- long-term use of certain drugs causes inflammation (isoniazid, D-penicillins, hydralazine, holes) - arthritis drug;
- bacteria are transmitted into the bloodstream or during surgery - infectious arthritis;
- viral or bacterial infection of any localization can indirectly affect the joint tissues - this is reactive arthritis;
- acute trauma - recent damage (stroke, bruise, capsule rupture).
Symptoms
The disease is characterized by an acute initial phase, that is, in the background of complete health, the person has a sharp pain in the joint. Autoimmune forms are characterized by symmetrical damage to small joints - interphalangeal on the fingers, wrist, elbow.
Gout in the vast majority of cases begins with inflammation of the joint between the toe and foot. In bacterial and reactive arthritis, the large joints are usually affected on one side: the knee, hip, sacral bones (at the junction of the spine and pelvic bones).
Rheumatism develops against a background of fever and general weakness, usually preceded by angina. Severe inflammation of the bones, cartilage and synovial membrane can occur with fever, general intoxication: headache, weakness, lack of appetite.
The skin over the wrist becomes red and appears hotter than other areas. From the outside it looks swollen and increases in volume. If the lesion occurred only on one side, then the difference between a healthy and a diseased limb is visible.
Restricted movement is associated with swelling and pain. If the joint cavity is slightly inflamed, then it acts almost entirely. With a pronounced pathological reaction, the entire synovial cavity can be filled with fluid - in this case, mobility is severely limited.
Treatment
Treatment is performed by a general practitioner, rheumatologist or traumatologist - if the cause is mechanical damage. Therapy is aimed at removing the provoking factor and stopping the inflammation.
Bacterial and reactive arthritis require antibiotics, autoimmune - cytostatics or glucocorticoids, allergic - glucocorticoids and antihistamines.
Inflammatory fluid is removed by syringe or special suction during arthroscopy. The joint is immobilized during the entire period of acute inflammation. After the patient is shown therapeutic exercises to restore joint mobility.
Doctor's Tips
From the personal practice and work experience of colleagues - in inflammation of the joints of any etiology, gelatin compresses have shown themselves well. They are easy to apply and inexpensive. It is necessary to bend the gauze in several layers, the length and width should be such that there is enough for a sore joint. Immerse the submerged gauze in hot water, squeeze, straighten. Pour a thin layer of gelatin on top, roll it so that it is inside, as in a bag and does not spill. Lay on the joint, wrap with a plastic bag on top, fix with a bandage and / or adhesive tape. You can wear the compress for up to 3 hours, 2 times a day for 2 weeks. Usually the effect is felt on the 4th-5th day of use, but the therapy needs to be continued to achieve the desired result, if the course is interrupted, the pain will return.
What is osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (otherwise osteoarthritis) is a degenerative-dystrophic disease. It is based on the deterioration of the nutrition of the articular cartilage, slowing down the recovery and gradual thinning.
Simply put, a layer of cartilage wears out faster than it regenerates. The articular surfaces of the bones are exposed. They are not as smooth as cartilage and they rub against each other with effort when moving. Bone plates are partially destroyed, mild chronic inflammation develops.
As the disease progresses, bone spines grow in the joint - the response of the protective tissue to permanent damage. They interfere with the sliding of the surfaces in relation to each other, and the mobility of the joints is impaired.
Osteoarthritis in most people begins to progress after 30-40 years, lasts for years, symptoms are mild or moderate.
Osteoarthritis of the spine 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 disease;
- 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 on one side are usually affected: knee, hip, lower back. The disease begins imperceptibly. Initially, pain is rare and is associated with significant physical exertion.
Unpleasant sensations disappear on the same day or in a few days if the person can rest. As the disease progresses, the intensity of the pain increases, occurring even with normal daily stress.
Joint mobility gradually decreases and is completely lost as a result of the disease. Movements in the diseased limb cause severe pain. Osteoarthritis can be aggravated by a type of arthritis - fluid accumulates in the joint cavity, the skin above it becomes red and becomes hot. After the inflammatory reaction subsides, the course of the disease returns to its previous course.
Treatment
Osteoarthritis is treated by a traumatologist, orthopedist, sometimes a surgeon. Therapy is aimed at restoring metabolic processes in cartilage, improving joint nutrition and eliminating the inflammatory response. Treatment is lifelong, it can be continuous or taking medication.
In the interictal period, chondroprotectors are prescribed in the form of tablets and ointments, therapeutic exercises, massage. With exacerbation, chondroprotectors are administered intravenously or intramuscularly, along with analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs. The traumatologist can inject protective medications directly into the joint every few months.
Advanced stages of the disease require surgical intervention during which the diseased joint is replaced with an artificial one.
Differences between diseases
| Feature | Arthritis | Arthrosis |
| Cause of the disease | Inflammation | Cartilage degeneration |
| Tok | Acute, chronic with exacerbations | Chronic |
| Bol | Intense from the beginning, more pronounced in the morning | At the beginning of the disease weak, gradually increasing. It intensifies in the evening and after exertion |
| Gestures | Need to "split" - in the morning after sleep the joints are the least mobile | Mobility gradually decreases, no morning stiffness |
| Affected joints | Small joints of the hands and feet are symmetrically affected. Many suffer from bacterial infection | One or more large joints on different sides of the body |
| Blood test | Severe inflammatory changes in general blood count, rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, antibodies to pathogens | No characteristic changes |
| X-ray | Phase changes, osteoporosis - bone loss, bone cysts | Gradual changes, deformation of the joint space, the appearance of bone spines and growths. |
| Basic treatment | Anti-inflammatory substances | Chondroprotectors |
A similar feature of both diseases is the progressive course with gradual loss of mobility. Autoimmune arthritis often manifests itself in youth, when a person is still not serious about his health.
It should be borne in mind that any long-term joint pain occurs under certain conditions - this is a serious reason to visit a doctor. It is important to diagnose the disease in time and start treatment in order to slow down the development of the pathological process.