Arthritis and arthrosis are complex diseases that affect the joints.Because of the 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 nature of its development, the area of damage, and require completely different treatment.
Let's say two people go to the doctor complaining of joint pain.One was diagnosed with arthritis, the other with arthrosis.While both patients sat in line, they had time to briefly discuss their health problems.
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, yet 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 the bone or cartilage tissue caused by some factor.
Biologically active substances are released from the dead cells, which trigger an inflammatory reaction.In the affected area, the blood vessels expand and fill with blood: thanks to 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 system, and edema develops, which limits the area of inflammation.This is how the body defends itself against extensive damage caused by bacteria, foreign bodies and chemicals.
After the pathogen is completely or partially removed, the healing mechanism starts.If the damage is minor, the normal functioning of the tissues is restored.Deep defects heal through scars, an area of rough connective tissue that does not support the organ's normal function.
Arthritis goes through all of these stages:
- conversion - damage;
- discharge - development of edema;
- proliferation - healing.
Reasons
The disease has many causes, we list the main ones:
- streptococcal infection (tonsillitis, scarlet fever) often causes complications - rheumatism;
- aggressive autoantibodies - proteins that the body produces against its own tissues;this situation develops when there is a defect in the immune defense, due to which it perceives the joints 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, proboinami) - drug-induced arthritis;
- bacteria are introduced through the bloodstream or during surgery - infectious arthritis;
- viral or bacterial infection of any site can indirectly affect joint tissues - this is reactive arthritis;
- acute injury - recent damage (blow, bruise, capsule tear).
Symptoms
The disease is characterized by an acute initial stage, that is, against the background of complete health, a person experiences sharp 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 and pelvic bones).
Rheumatism develops against the background of fever and general weakness, which is usually preceded by a sore throat.Severe bone, cartilage and joint inflammation can occur with fever and general intoxication: headache, weakness, loss of appetite.
The skin over the joint becomes red and feels warmer to the touch than other areas.Outwardly, it looks swollen and increases in volume.If the change occurs on only one side, 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, it is almost fully functional.In case of a pronounced pathological reaction, the entire synovial cavity can be filled with fluid - in this case, mobility is sharply limited.
Treatment
The treatment is carried out by a general practitioner, rheumatologist or traumatologist - if the cause is a mechanical injury.The goal of the therapy is to eliminate the provoking factor and stop the 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.After that, the patient is shown therapeutic exercises to restore joint mobility.
Medical advice
Based on personal practice and work experience of colleagues, gelatin poultices are well-proven for arthritis of any etiology.They are easy to implement and inexpensive.The gauze should be folded in several layers, its length and width should be such that it is sufficient for the painful joint.Immerse the folded gauze in hot water, wring it out and straighten it.Spread a thin layer of gelatin on top, roll it up so that it fits inside like a bag and does not leak out.Lay it flat for joining, wrap it on top with a plastic bag and secure it with bandage and/or glue.You can wear the poultice for a maximum of 3 hours, twice a day for 2 weeks.Usually the effect is 4-5 days of use.day, but the therapy must be continued to achieve the desired result;if the course is interrupted, the pain returns.
What is arthrosis
Arthrosis (also known as osteoarthritis) is a degenerative disease.It is based on the deterioration of the nutrition of the articular cartilage, its slower healing and gradual thinning.
Simply put, cartilage wears away faster than it is repaired.The bony joint surfaces are exposed.They are not as smooth as cartilage and rub against each other with force during movement.The bone plates are partially destroyed, and mild chronic inflammation develops.
As the disease progresses, bone spurs grow in the joint - this is the tissue's defensive response to permanent damage.They prevent the surfaces from sliding relative to each other, the mobility of the joint is impaired.
In most people, arthrosis begins to progress after 30-40 years, lasts for years, and the symptoms are mild or moderate.
Osteoarthritis of the vertebral joints is usually called 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 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, sacrum.The disease begins unnoticed.At first, pain is rare and associated with significant physical activity.
The discomfort goes away 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.
The mobility of the joint gradually decreases and is completely lost as a result of the disease.Movement of the affected limb causes severe pain.Osteoarthritis can worsen depending on the type of arthritis - fluid accumulates in the joint cavity, the skin above 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 a surgeon.The goal of the therapy is to restore the metabolic processes in the cartilage, improve the nutrition of the joints and eliminate the inflammatory reaction.The treatment is lifelong, it can be continuous or drug treatment.
During 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 pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs.The traumatologist may inject protective agents 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
| Sign | Arthritis | Arthrosis |
| The cause of the disease | Inflammation | Degeneration of cartilage tissue |
| Current | With acute and chronic exacerbations | Chronic |
| Pain | It is intense from the beginning, even more pronounced in the morning | The disease is weak at the beginning, but gradually increases.It increases in the evening and after training |
| Movements | It is necessary to "break it apart" - 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.Adults suffer from bacterial infections | One or more large joints on different sides of the body |
| Blood test | Expressed inflammatory changes in the general blood test, rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, antibodies against pathogens | There is no characteristic change |
| x-ray | Phase changes, osteoporosis - loss of bone tissue, cysts in the bones | Gradual changes, deformation of the joint space, appearance of bone spurs and growths. |
| Fund management | 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 not be forgotten that long-lasting pain in the joints occurs under certain conditions - this is a serious reason to consult a doctor.In order to slow down the development of the pathological process, it is important to diagnose and treat the disease in time.