The most common joint pathologies are arthritis and osteoarthritis. The two diseases have many differences, on which the outcome of the disease largely depends. The correct definition of the disease by a specialist doctor is the key to an effective treatment for the complete recovery of the affected joints. Under the influence of age-related changes, each person is at risk of pathological changes in the joints. Joints, which are subjected to increased stress throughout life, are particularly affected. Diseases can be a direct cause of joint changes. To prevent undesirable consequences of diseases of the joints, it is necessary to prevent the development of the disease, adhering to prevention and treatment measures.
The main differences between arthritis and osteoarthritis
Joint pathologies: arthritis and osteoarthritis negatively affect the quality of life of the patient. The disease-causing process in the joint causes pain and limited movement. Both diseases lead to destructive changes in joint structure, but differ in the nature of the origin and course of the disease.
Arthritis, if we compare it with osteoarthritis, is an acute or chronic inflammatory pathology of the joints, which can appear with infections or autoimmune diseases, become a complication after an injury, and also appear in the event of reactionsallergic.
Single and multiple joins are affected. Also, the inflammatory process spreads throughout the body, involving internal organs in the process.
Osteoarthritis is a cartilage modification process that leads to joint destruction up to complete loss of movement, like arthritis. A pathological process develops in view of age-related changes in the tissues of the joint, which are aggravated by the patient's excess weight, metabolic disorders and pathologies of the endocrine system.
The causes of arthritis and osteoarthritis differ significantly. The only unifying factor is the similarity of some of the symptoms and the unfortunate result of the untreated forms.
Arthritis Triggers:
- development of inflammation of the knee joint tissues after trauma of various nature;
- infection of the knee joint of viral, fungal and bacterial etiology;
- severe allergies;
- prolonged exposure to cold air;
- lack of vitamins and minerals;
- hereditary predisposition.
The onset of osteoarthritis differs from arthritis in the inevitability of changes in all the elderly. Knowing the etiology of the disease, even at an early age, it is possible to adjust diet and lifestyle to prevent pathology.
Development occurs under the following conditions:
- the wear of the joint components comes from aging;
- increased body weight significantly increases the daily load on the knees;
- deforming disorders due to injuries;
- malnutrition;
- osteoarthritis can be a complication of arthritis, or rather inflammation, which is present in this disease;
- autoimmune pathologies of unexplained etiology;
- congenital pathologies associated with the joints;
- violation of trophism and blood supply to the joint;
- thyroid gland malfunction;
- changes in hormone levels;
- contaminated environment.
Difference functions
These two diseases sound similar but differ in many ways. Among the young population, up to forty years, arthritis is more common and the destructive processes of cartilage tissue affect the elderly, and the older the person, the greater the risk of disease.
Osteoarthritis is a disease that is located mainly in the joints, without spreading to the surrounding organs and tissues. Arthritis can be one of the manifestations of a more serious disease that involves the entire body in the inflammatory process. Both diseases can occur in acute and chronic forms, only arthrosis develops for a longer time and can lead to the complete destruction of the joints.
Arthritis has more vivid symptoms, accompanied by characteristic external manifestations of inflammation: hyperemia in the area of localization of the process, severe swelling, hot skin in the area of the affected joint, pain syndrome. Osteoarthritis progresses more smoothly, without spreading beyond the joint.
Arthritis, unlike osteoarthritis, usually affects small joints in the process: hands, feet, wrists and ankles. The disease rarely affects a joint, polyarthritis is a more common form, and osteoarthritis is localized in large joints.
According to statistics, middle-aged men are more likely to develop joint disease due to infections and viruses. The processes that deform the joints are more common in the female population during menopause, mainly after the age of fifty. Children can also be exposed to joint damage, especially juvenile arthritis is considered dangerous, which can cause limitation.
Manifestation signs
It is important to seek medical advice at the first symptoms to successfully heal and restore the joints for optimal motor activity. Arthritis and osteoarthritis differ significantly in the initial period of the disease. Inflammation is manifested by the severity of symptoms, so it's easy not to miss the initial process.
Dystrophic changes in the tissues of the joint are poorly manifested in the early stage, so patients often go to an orthopedist when the disease is in the second or third stage of development. In this case, the treatment is complicated, time-consuming, and requires many measures to restore normal joint function. A slow process is difficult to diagnose on your own, but for any manifestation of discomfort in the joint, you just need to go to the doctor's office so as not to miss the initial stage of the disease.
How does arthritis manifest?
- Unlike osteoarthritis, with arthritis, swelling occurs around the inflamed joint, making movement difficult and causing many inconveniences when moving independently.
- In acute inflammation, the skin of the joint becomes intensely hyperemic and hot to the touch.
- If the arthritis is of the type caused by an infection. The general condition of the patient suffers, intoxication begins, which is accompanied by a febrile condition.
- Shooting pain appears in inflamed joints, which tends to increase significantly with movement. In a calm state, the pain syndrome does not go away, but becomes pulsatile.
- In most cases, arthritis is accompanied by a general worsening of the condition, weakness appears, and chronic diseases worsen.
- The most vulnerable are the joints of the fingers and toes, as well as the ankle and hand.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis
The manifestations of osteoarthritis do not have characteristic signs in the first years of the disease, the wear of the joint makes itself felt after various stages of the development of the pathological condition.
Signs of osteoarthritis:
- pain does not appear immediately, pain increases as joint condition worsens;
- in the absence of movement, pain does not arise, pain syndrome begins to develop with activation;
- in case of damage to the hip or knee joint - gait becomes flaccid and range of motion is incomplete;
- in neglected conditions, a shortening of the lower limb may occur, in the absence of correction, pathologies of the spine develop;
- when cartilage tissue is destroyed, the joint loses its mobility and a complete blockage of the joint occurs;
- severe crepitus in the joint during physical activity.
How to treat diseases?
Arthritis and osteoarthritis differ significantly in treatment approach. Various causes and mechanisms of the development of pathology suggest the initial establishment of the correct diagnosis so that therapeutic measures are effective.
In order not to start the disease and waste precious time, do not rely on the experience of friends and popular recipes.
Pathological processes that have a detrimental effect on the joints should not be allowed to flow. It is important to feel the joy of movement at any age; not only the well-being, but also the quality of life of a person depends on it.
Treat arthritis
Treatment should begin by identifying the factors causing the inflammation. Having determined the nature of the origin of the disease, drugs are prescribed that destroy the pathogen of the pathology. When exposed to pathogenic bacteria, the patient is prescribed antibiotics, which, depending on the severity of the poisoning, are prescribed in the form of tablets or injections. Viral lesions are treated with antiviral pills.
The basis for the effective elimination of inflammation and suppression of pain will be the mandatory intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They will help to cope with unwanted symptoms, both by taking pills and local effects on the painful joint area.
Strengthening the immune system is the foundation for successful disease control. Taking multivitamins with micronutrients will help a weakened body and help to change the course of the disease towards recovery. In addition to synthetic complexes, natural sources of vitamins are also useful: berries, fruits, vegetables.
Proper nutrition and a special diet are indicated for patients with arthritis, as well as osteoarthritis. Allowed products include fermented dairy products, lean meats, fish, vegetables, herbs. You will have to give up strong coffee and black tea, carbonated and alcoholic beverages.
Physiotherapy and physiotherapy procedures give excellent results in combination with the main therapy: pulsed magnetic field treatment, radon baths, electrophoresis and other methods. The list of special exercises is made by a physiotherapist, under whose supervision the load is performed.
We treat osteoarthritis
The disease develops slowly and has a fundamentally different treatment, which should aim to restore the cartilage tissue of the joint. A real salvation will be the use of chondroprotectors which, with prolonged use and following the doctor's recommendations, prevent the progression of destructive changes and restore damaged cells.
Chondroprotectors support tissue nutrition and promote cartilage repair, as well as an increase in joint fluid production, serving as the sole source of nutrition for joint components.
When pain occurs, NSAIDs are recommended for symptomatic pain management. An enriched diet, quitting alcohol, and smoking lead to increased body resistance and increased strength to fight for joint health.
Therapeutic gymnastics using various methods increases blood circulation in the affected area, makes the joints move, increasing trophism. Traditional recipes, tested over the years, are useful as an additional method of alternative medicine.
In the later stages of osteoarthritis and arthritis, the only solution is surgical treatment of the joint capsule. The most widely used method is cartilage transplantation, which can restore mobility to the affected joint.
How to define a disease?
To determine exactly what disease develops in the joints, you need to make an appointment with an experienced orthopedist. In the first meeting, the doctor will conduct a visual examination and ask interesting questions that will help to form a picture of the disease.
Laboratory blood test results will help differentiate arthritis from osteoarthritis; this will require general and biochemical tests. The x-ray examination will help to examine the joint in detail from the inside.
In some pathologies, the patient is referred for an MRI exam, which will answer the doctor's questions about the diagnosis of pathology. After collecting all the results, a diagnosis will be made, which will serve as the basis for prescribing treatment.
Preventive measures
Keeping your joints healthy requires a healthy lifestyle. Proper nutrition and regular exercise will prolong the life of your joints, which is important for overall health.
At the slightest manifestation of osteoarthritis or arthritis, under no circumstances should you treat yourself. Inappropriate actions can negatively affect the outcome of the disease. Timely referral to a specialist and increased adherence to appointments ensure successful treatment, leading to a healthy lifestyle.