Related, sometimes interrelated, diseases of the joints: Arthritis and osteoarthritis have many similarities and differences. But it is possible to determine which disease develops in a person only after a series of diagnostic studies. The causes of these pathologies differ, the treatment of osteoarthritis and arthritis is also not the same. The use of alternative therapy for such diseases is not only useless, but also dangerous.
Comparative characteristics
The development of arthritis and arthrosis occurs under the influence of various factors. But these diseases have one thing in common: they negatively affect the state of human health and cause unpleasant symptoms and discomfort. Both of these pathologies provoke inflammation of the joint, disrupt its functioning, as a result of which a person cannot move normally.
The symptoms of arthritis and osteoarthritis are very similar, but there are also characteristic signs of each disease.
What causes arthritis?
The main causes of joint disease:
- pathological disorders in the body;
- infectious or autoimmune disease;
- complications after past infections;
- Metabolic or exchange changes.
Rarely, rheumatoid arthritis or polyarthritis occurs due to trauma, destruction of the integrity of the joints. With the progression of the pathology, inflammation of the synovial membrane and fluid develops. A large amount of lubricant is produced, which causes swelling of the hands, feet, knee joints and other joints. Changes in cartilaginous tissues are observed: erosion appears on them. As a result of such pathological processes, the bone is exposed.
Reasons for the development of arthrosis
This disease is characterized by degenerative and dystrophic changes that affect the cartilage that covers the articulating surfaces of the bone. Pathology is most often diagnosed in older people. The main provoking factor is age-related changes, during which physiological thinning and wear of cartilage occurs. But sometimes osteoarthritis or osteoarthritis of the arms or legs affects very young people whose lifestyle is associated with excessive physical stress on the joints.
Characteristic symptoms
Sometimes distinctive symptoms help to prediagnose a particular disease. To distinguish which disease develops in a patient, the places of localization of diseases help:
- Osteoarthritis is characterized by inflammation of the large joints of the foot, knees and hip joint. Much less often, the pathology affects the joints of the fingers. Even worse, when the violations affect the intervertebral joints.
- In arthritis, different joints become inflamed. Pathological changes can occur in several asymmetric joints at once, which is not observed in arthrosis.
The first signs of arthritis and osteoarthritis of the joints are different. If a person develops arthritis, the pain is mainly disturbed at rest, during rest or sleep. After waking up, stiffness and discomfort are felt. Osteoarthritis causes pain when moving, and after rest the discomfort in the legs disappears.
Another difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis of the knee joint is the appearance of the diseased joint. Arthrosis of the first degree is characterized by the absence of pronounced changes, however, as the pathology progresses, the joint becomes deformed and crackles. If arthritis develops, the joints of the legs and feet immediately become swollen and hot. The general well-being of the patient is disturbed, he loses weight, his body temperature increases.
differential diagnosis
The choice of drugs for the treatment of joints depends on the type of pathology. Therefore, you need to know how to distinguish osteoarthritis from arthritis of the ankle joint. To do this, the patient must undergo a series of such diagnostic tests:
- general blood and urine tests;
- biochemical study of plasma;
- rheumatic tests;
- radiography of the affected joints of the arms and legs;
- Diagnosis by CT or MRI of soft tissues.
medical treatment
To cure both pathologies, it is recommended to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They provide first aid to diseased joints, relieving inflammation and pain. With arthrosis, effective treatment is aimed at cartilage regeneration. Chondroprotectors, glauric acid, physiotherapy procedures, auxiliary treatment with folk remedies are used.
When diagnosing arthritis, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of inflammation and eliminate pain. With the infectious nature of the disease, drug treatment, antibiotic therapy is used. If the pathology is caused by immunological disorders, then hormonal and cytostatic drugs are prescribed.
The main contraindications for arthritis in the acute stage are massage and physiotherapy.
home therapy
Folk methods for the treatment of arthritis and arthrosis involve the use of herbs, eggshells, propolis, garlic compresses, decoction of bay leaves. Sometimes traditional medicine suggests the use of herbs, the therapeutic effect of which is more dangerous and more toxic than some drugs. All recipes and their ingredients must be agreed with the doctor. Comprehensive treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis should be aimed at stopping inflammatory complications and alleviating the patient's condition.
What is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis?
It is difficult to determine which disease is worse. Both pathologies have similar and distinctive characteristics. The table shows the characteristic features of each disease:
| sign | Arthritis | osteoarthritis |
|---|---|---|
| Pain | Acute, painful, independent of the nature of the movements. | dull, piercing, aggravated by movement |
| morning stiffness | Voiced | Sometimes it bothers, but it does not last more than 30-40 minutes. |
| flushing and fever | There are | Sometimes |
| swelling | Yes | Rarely |
| crunch, clicks | Nope | There are |
| Deformation | in advanced cases | Yes |
| mobility restriction | Yes | Yes |