Arthritis and arthrosis are complex diseases that affect the joints.Due to the similar symptoms, many people think that these diseases are the same, but this is not the case.Arthritis and arthrosis differ in the cause of the disease, the nature of its development, the area of damage and require completely different treatment.
Suppose two people go to the doctor complaining of joint pain.One was diagnosed with arthritis, and the other with arthrosis.While the two patients sat in line, they briefly discussed their health problems.
It turns out that their symptoms are very similar: their joints hurt, they don't bend / don't bend with full force, they don't give rest either at night or during the day.Although the diagnosis is similar, but they are 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 joints.It is always preceded by damage to bone or cartilage tissue by several factors.
Biologically active substances are released from the destroyed cells, which trigger an inflammatory response.The vessels in the affected area expand and fill with blood: due to this, immune cells appear in the joint tissue to fight the damaging factors.
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 how the body protects itself from widespread damage from bacteria, foreign bodies and chemicals.
After the complete or partial removal of the pathogenic agent, the healing mechanism is initiated.If the damage is small, then normal tissue function is restored.Defects in healing through scars, areas of rough connective tissue that do not perform the normal function of the organ.
Arthritis goes through all these stages:
- change – damage;
- exudation - edema formation;
- germination - healing.
Reason
There are many causes of this disease, we list the main ones:
- streptococcal infections (tonsillitis, scarlet fever) often cause complications - rheumatism;
- aggressive autoantibodies - proteins produced by the body to fight its own tissues;this condition develops when there is a mistake in the immune defense, which it considers the joint as a foreign element for the body - rheumatoid arthritis;
- 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 inflammatory reactions - allergic arthritis;
- long-term use of certain drugs causing inflammation (isoniazid, D-penicillins, hydralazine, proboinami) - drug-induced arthritis;
- bacteria introduced through the bloodstream or during surgery - infectious arthritis;
- viral or bacterial infection in any location can indirectly affect joint tissue - this is reactive arthritis;
- acute injury - recent damage (impact, bruise, capsule rupture).
symptoms
The disease is characterized by an acute initial stage, that is, against a background of complete health, a person experiences sharp pain in the joints.The autoimmune form is characterized by symmetrical damage to small joints - the interphalangeal joints of the fingers, wrists, and elbows.
In most cases, gout begins with inflammation of the joint between the big toe and the foot.With bacterial and reactive arthritis, large joints are usually affected on one side: knee, hip, sacral (at the junction of the spine with the pelvic bone).
Rheumatism develops against a background of fever and general weakness, usually preceded by a sore throat.Severe inflammation of bones, cartilage 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.Externally, it looks swollen and increases in volume.If the lesion occurs only on one side, then the difference between the healthy and the diseased limb can be seen.
Limited movement is associated with swelling and pain.If the joint cavity is slightly inflamed, then it works almost completely.With a clear pathological reaction, the entire synovial cavity can be filled with fluid - in this case, mobility is very limited.
Treatment
Treatment is carried out by a general practitioner, rheumatologist or traumatologist - if the cause is mechanical damage.Therapy aims to eliminate factors that provoke and stop inflammation.
For bacterial and reactive arthritis, antibiotics are needed, for autoimmune arthritis - cytostatics or glucocorticoids, for allergic arthritis - glucocorticoids and antihistamines.
Inflammatory fluid is removed with a syringe or special suction during arthroscopy.The joint is immobilized for the entire period of acute inflammation.After that, the patient is shown therapeutic exercises to restore joint mobility.
Doctor's advice
From personal practice and work experience of colleagues, compresses with gelatin have worked well for inflammation in joints of any etiology.They are easy to implement and cheap.You need to fold the gauze in several layers, the length and width should be such that it is enough for the painful joint.Soak a folded piece of gauze in hot water, wring it out, and straighten it.Sprinkle a thin layer of gelatin over it, roll it up so that it fits inside, like in a bag, and does not spill.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 it 2 times a day for 2 weeks.Usually the effect is felt on the 4-5th day of use, but the therapy must be continued to achieve the desired result;if the course is interrupted, the pain will return.
What is arthrosis?
Arthrosis (as opposed to osteoarthritis) is a degenerative disease.It is based on deterioration in the nutrition of articular cartilage, slower recovery and gradual thinning.
In short, the cartilage layer is erased faster than it is restored.The articular surface of the bone is exposed.They are not smooth like cartilage and when moving they rub against each other hard.Bone plates are partially destroyed, and mild chronic inflammation develops.
As the disease progresses, bony spines grow in the joints - a protective response of the tissues to ongoing damage.They prevent surfaces from sliding relative to each other, and joint mobility is affected.
Arthrosis in most people begins to develop after 30-40 years, lasts for many years, the symptoms are mild or moderate.
Osteoarthritis of the vertebral joints is commonly called osteochondrosis.
Reason
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 joints, 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 without realizing it.At first, the pain is rare and is associated with significant physical activity.
The discomfort disappears on 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 occurs even with normal daily activities.
Joint mobility gradually decreases and as a result the disease disappears completely.Movement in the affected limb causes severe pain.Osteoarthritis can worsen depending on the type of arthritis - fluid accumulates in the joint cavity, the skin over it becomes red and warm.After the inflammatory response subsides, the course of the disease returns to its previous course.
Treatment
Treatment of arthrosis is carried out by traumatologists, orthopedists, and sometimes surgeons.Therapy aims to restore metabolic processes in cartilage, improve joint nutrition, and eliminate inflammatory reactions.Treatment is lifelong, can be continuous or a course of medication.
During the interictal period, chondroprotectors are prescribed in the form of tablets and ointments, therapeutic exercises, and massage.In case of exacerbation, chondroprotectors are given intravenously or intramuscularly along with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.A traumatologist can inject a protective drug directly into the joint every few months.
Advanced stages of the disease require surgical intervention, where the diseased joint is replaced with an artificial one.
Differences between diseases
| Signature | Joint pain | Arthrosis |
| Cause of disease | Inflammation | Degeneration of cartilage tissue |
| current | Acute, chronic with exacerbations | Chronicle |
| ill | Intense from the beginning, more noticeable in the morning | At the beginning the disease was weak, but gradually increased.Increase in the evening and after exercise |
| Movement | It is necessary to "disperse" - in the morning after sleep, the joints are least mobile | Mobility decreases gradually, no morning stiffness |
| Affected joints | The small joints of the hands and feet are symmetrically affected.The big one has a bacterial infection | One or more large joints on different parts of the body |
| Blood test | Significant inflammatory changes in general blood tests, rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, antibodies to pathogens | No feature changes |
| X-ray | Gradual changes, osteoporosis - loss of bone tissue, cysts in bones | Gradual changes, joint space deformation, spine appearance and growth. |
| Basic treatment | Anti-inflammatory drugs | Chondroprotectors |
A common feature of both diseases is a progressive course with gradual loss of mobility.Autoimmune arthritis often manifests itself at a young age, when a person is still careless about his health.
It should be remembered that any long-lasting joint pain 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 to slow down the development of the pathological process.