Arthritis and osteoarthritis are often confused because of the similarity of names. Yes, both diseases affect the joints (for example, there is arthritis and osteoarthritis of the knee). Affected joints become inflamed, swollen and sore. Otherwise, these are completely different diseases. Let's try to understand how arthritis differs from osteoarthritis?
Difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis
Arthritis is accompanied by inflammation of the joints, which in turn leads to impaired motor function. The patient experiences discomfort, sharp or painful pain, both during physical activity and during rest, especially in the morning. The skin around the joint swells, reddens and becomes taut. Body temperature often rises. Osteoarthritis is a disease in which degenerative processes take place in the articular cartilage. The replaced cartilage ceases to cope with the load falling on them and is gradually destroyed. The pain caused by exertion usually disappears at rest. The tissues around the joint become swollen and inflamed. Progressive disease leads to destruction of cartilage and severe deformation of the joints. The difference between osteoarthritis and arthritis lies in the causes of the disease. Osteoarthritis occurs:
- primary, usually associated with old age;
- secondary, arising from other diseases or genetically determined.
Predisposing factors for the development of osteoarthritis are:
- overweight;
- excessive physical activity (most often in athletes) or very low physical activity;
- past injuries;
- endocrine diseases.
Arthritis is inflammatory. There are such causes of the disease as:
- various infections;
- joint damage and recurrent minor injuries;
- metabolic disorders;
- alergy;
- micronutrient and vitamin deficiency.
Tests for arthritis and osteoarthritis
For early diagnosis of diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system, the specialist must collect a complete history. The patient is invited to undergo the following tests and perform the indicated tests:
- Clinical blood test to determine the level of ESR (in arthritis the erythrocyte sedimentation rate increases significantly, in arthrosis it is close to normal).
- Biochemical blood test to identify the absence of macro- and micronutrients characteristic of arthritis.
- X-ray, which helps to detect bone deformity inherent in osteoarthritis and to determine the width of the joint space.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), which allows you to identify changes in cartilage tissue in the early stages of the disease.
Cause of disease
The main difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is the origin of the disease. Arthritis is an infectious disease that causes inflammation of the joints. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process that occurs in the body as a result of natural wear and tear of the joints and aging, which cause the destruction of the cartilage layer in the joint. Therefore, osteoarthritis is characteristic mainly of the elderly and arthritis can be transmitted at any age, even in childhood. Women are more likely to have arthritis. Osteoarthritis affects both women and men who have reached old age. Most often arthritis is caused by:
- various infections;
- allergic reactions;
- joint damage;
- frequent minor injuries;
- physical stress;
- metabolic disorders;
- deficiency of vitamins and minerals;
- autoimmune disorders;
- diseases of the nervous system.
In addition, arthritis often develops as a complication of osteoarthritis, but not vice versa. Osteoarthritis is mainly due to:
- genetic predisposition;
- insufficient blood supply and bone nutrition;
- excessive stress on the joints;
- joint injuries;
- hypothermia.
Symptoms of joint disease
Despite the fact that both diseases are accompanied by painful sensations, these sensations occur under different conditions. In arthritis, the pain occurs both during exercise and during sleep and in the morning. In osteoarthritis, pain bothers a person only during exercise.
Another characteristic difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is the nature of the pain. Arthritis is characterized by sharp, strong and trembling pain, and osteoarthritis is dull and painful, accompanied by crunching.
Arthritis most often affects small joints and osteoarthritis affects large joints (especially the knee and hip). Osteoarthritis only affects the joints. In arthritis, the inflammation can spread to several joints as well as other organs. In addition, arthritis is accompanied by fever, swelling and redness in the affected area. Occasionally, subcutaneous rheumatic nodules appear in arthritis. Over time, osteoarthritis leads to deformities of the joints, which can become thinner and acquire strange shapes.
Diagnosis
Similar methods are used for diagnosis (X-rays, computed tomography, laboratory tests), but their results will differ. In arthritis, a complete blood count will show an increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate and a high concentration of C-reactive protein, leukocytes and seromucoids. In osteoarthritis, such an analysis will not detect any abnormalities.
Treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis
Various specialists are involved in the treatment of diseases. Osteoarthritis is treated by an orthopedic traumatologist, and in arthritis the cause of the disease is first determined and then, depending on it, a specialist is chosen. Diseases are treated with identical methods using medication and physiotherapy. If the disease has gone too far, then surgery is used - arthroplasty or joint replacement. But there are some differences in the treatment of diseases. Arthritis requires immediate and active therapy, and osteoarthritis requires long-term and thorough treatment. Arthritis treatment begins with changes in diet and lifestyle. The patient is then prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics, as well as physiotherapy procedures. Osteoarthritis is treated with hormonal, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. In principle, arthritis is completely cured, and osteoarthritis, which is a chronic disease, causes irreversible consequences in the joints that cannot be treated - it is only possible to slow down the degenerative processes.
These two diseases with consonant names are similar in that they are symptoms of rheumatism. However, do not be confused: osteoarthritis is a mechanical disease, and in arthritis the joints become inflamed. Simply put, if the inflamed joints are swollen, the patient has arthritis. If the joint pain is mild, it is osteoarthritis. In this article we will try to explain in accessible language how they differ. For those unfamiliar with medicine, it is difficult to distinguish between the two. Because both diseases are directly related to rheumatism. Both diseases cause pain and discomfort in the joints, which become immobile. The symptoms of these diseases, as well as ways to treat them are very different.
What is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis?
The difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is that in arthritis, the joints become inflamed. As a result, enzymes are released, which leads to their destruction. They form proteins that stick to them. This is one of the causes of pain. This most often happens when a person is sleeping. During exercise, it subsides a little. Weakness is felt in the morning. This disease affects the joints of the legs and arms.
Arthritis can have various causes. For example, septic arthritis is caused by infection and rheumatoid arthritis is caused by reduced immunity. Gout develops due to metabolic disorders.
Changes in the joints occur along with physiological changes. As a result, the skin may become warm or red.
How is arthritis treated?
To cure, it is necessary to relieve symptoms and restore joint mobility. To do this, it is advisable to try different methods. They can be combined if necessary. This will help determine who works best. Also in these diseases, the results of a blood test differ. In osteoarthritis, protein levels increase. If the patient has arthritis, there are no changes in the composition of the blood. When choosing a tool used to get rid of such problems, you must take into account the type of this disease. Most commonly used for treatment:
- corticosteroids;
- biological and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- analgesics;
- anti-irritant drugs;
- antirheumatic drugs;
- therapeutic methods.
Physical activity is required for healing. With specialized exercises you can strengthen your joints and keep your muscles toned. Brackets or rails are sometimes used for this purpose. If other methods of therapy do not help, doctors suggest removing the damaged joints. They are replaced by artificial ones. Most often the knees are treated this way. Such an operation is done to relieve discomfort and restore their activity. After this procedure, the destruction of the joints becomes slower. In addition, surgery usually involves surgery to cut the joint tissue. At the same time, foreign particles are removed from their shell. Patients undergo such operations to smooth rough surfaces and change the pressure angle.
How is osteoarthritis treated?
To cure this disease, you need to reduce the risk factors. Those who are overweight are advised to eat properly. Patients should follow their diet. This is especially true for those who have undergone surgery for pathology of the bone structure.
If the patient's condition does not improve, you can get rid of the problems by using anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics. In order not to have to use a prosthesis, the patient should be prescribed hyaluronic acid. It will also help relieve discomfort.
You should not completely reduce physical activity. Exercise should be easy for your health. This should prevent weight gain. If you suspect a certain disease, do not panic and do not try to treat yourself. Timely diagnosis and properly prescribed treatment increase your chances of a speedy recovery.
The main differences
As mentioned above, osteoarthritis is a mechanical disease. In him, the articular cartilage periodically shrinks until it disappears. As a result, the rubbing bones are exposed. It occurs mainly in the elderly. In this case, patients notice some characteristic features related to the appearance of the joints. As a rule, it has the following causes associated with injuries, abnormalities in bone structure, overweight. It most often affects the joints of the pelvis and knees. It often damages the joints of the neck and spine. Unlike arthritis, osteoarthritis can cause significant discomfort while moving. The discomfort disappears between walking, running, etc. But apart from unpleasant sensations, it is not able to manifest itself in the form of inflammation, which is why it is often called a "cold" disease.