The most common joint pathologies are arthritis and arthrosis. There are many differences between the two diseases, on which the outcome of the disease largely depends. Proper diagnosis of the disease by a physician is the key to effective treatment of complete recovery of the affected joints. Under the influence of age-related changes, all people are at risk for pathological changes in the joints. In particular, joints are affected, which are exposed to increased stress throughout their lives. Diseases can be a direct cause of joint changes. In order to prevent the undesirable consequences of joint diseases, the development of the disease must be prevented and the measures of prevention and treatment must be observed.
Major Differences Between Arthritis And Arthrosis
Joint pathologies: arthritis and arthrosis negatively affect a patient's quality of life. In the joint, the process that causes the disease 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, when compared to arthrosis, is an acute or chronic inflammatory pathology of the joints that can occur with autoimmune infections or diseases, can become a complication after injury, and can also occur in allergic reactions.
One or more joints are affected. In addition, the inflammatory process spreads throughout the body, involving the internal organs in the process.
Osteoarthritis is a process of cartilage modification that leads to the destruction of joints until complete loss of movement, like arthritis. An abnormal process develops taking into account the age-related changes in the tissues of the joint, which are exacerbated by the overweight of the patient, metabolic disorders, and pathologies of the endocrine system.
The causes of arthritis and arthrosis are significantly different. The only unifying factor is the similarity of some of the symptoms and the deplorable outcome of the untreated forms.
Triggers of arthritis:
- the development of inflammation of the joint tissues of the knee after various types of trauma;
- knee joint infection with viral, fungal and bacterial etiology;
- severe allergy;
- prolonged cold air;
- lack of vitamins and minerals;
- hereditary predisposition.
The development of arthrosis differs from arthritis in that changes are inevitable at any age. Knowing the etiology of the disease, it is possible to change diet and lifestyle to prevent pathology, even at a young age.
Development is subject to the following conditions:
- the wear of the joint elements results from aging;
- increased body weight significantly increases the daily load on the knee;
- deforming disorders due to injury;
- malnutrition;
- arthrosis may be a complication of arthritis, or rather an inflammation present in the present disease;
- autoimmune diseases of unexplained etiology; congenital pathologies associated with
- joints;
- violation of trophism and joint blood supply;
- thyroid dysfunction;
- changes in hormonal levels;
- polluted environment.
Difference characteristics
These two diseases sound similar, but differ in many ways. Arthritis is more common in the young population up to the age of forty, and the destructive processes of cartilage tissue affect the elderly, and the older a person is, the greater the risk of the disease.
Arthrosis is a disease that is mainly localized in the joints without spreading to surrounding organs and tissues. Arthritis can be a manifestation 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 over a long period of time and can lead to complete destruction of the joints.
Arthritis has brighter symptoms, accompanied by external manifestations of inflammation: hyperemia in the localization of the process, marked swelling, hot skin in the affected joint, pain syndrome. Arthrosis progresses more smoothly without spreading beyond the joint.
Unlike arthritis, arthritis most often involves small joints: the joints of the hands, feet, wrists, and ankles. The disease rarely affects a joint, polyarthritis is a more common form, and arthrosis is localized in the large joints.
Statistics show that middle-aged men are more likely to develop joint pathology from infections and viruses. Processes that deform joints occur most frequently in the female population during menopause, especially after the age of fifty. Children are also exposed to joint damage, especially juvenile arthritis, which can be considered dangerous, which can cause limitation.
Signs of Manifestation
It is important to consult a doctor for the first symptoms in order to successfully cure and restore optimal motor activity in the joints. Arthritis and arthrosis differ significantly in the initial period of the disease. Inflammation is manifested in the severity of the symptoms, which makes it easy not to leave the initial process.
Dystrophic changes in the tissues of the joint are poorly manifested in the initial stage, so patients often see an orthopedist when the disease is in the second or third stage of development. In this case, the treatment is complicated, takes a long time, and requires many measures to restore the normal functioning of the joints. The slow process alone is difficult to diagnose, but in case of any manifestation of joint discomfort, you just have to go to the doctor’s office so as not to miss the initial stage of the disease.
How does arthritis manifest itself?
- Unlike arthrosis, arthritis causes swelling around the inflamed joint, which impedes movement and causes a lot of discomfort when moving independently.
- In acute inflammation, the skin of the joint becomes vividly hyperemic and hot to the touch.
- If the type of arthritis is caused by an infection. The patient suffers from a general condition, poisoning begins, accompanied by a febrile condition.
- Stabbing pain appears in inflamed joints, which tends to increase significantly with movement. At rest, the pain syndrome does not subside but becomes throbbing.
- 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 ankles and hands.
Symptoms of Arthrosis
Manifestations of arthrosis have no characteristic signs in the first years of the disease, joint wear is felt after several stages of the pathological development.
Signs of arthrosis:
- the pain does not appear immediately, the pain increases as the condition of the joint worsens;
- in the absence of movement, pain does not occur, pain syndrome begins to develop upon activation;
- in case of damage to the hip or knee joint - the gait becomes slack and the range of motion is incomplete;
- under negligible conditions, the lower limb may be shortened, in the absence of correction, pathologies of the spine develop;
- when cartilage tissue is destroyed, the joint loses its mobility and complete blockage of the joint occurs;
- is pronounced crepitus in the joint during physical activity.
How do we treat diseases?
Arthritis and arthrosis differ significantly in their approach to treatment. The various causes and mechanisms of pathology suggest an initial setting of the correct diagnosis for effective therapeutic measures.
In order not to start the disease and waste valuable time, do not rely on the experience of friends and folk recipes.
Joint disease processes should not be allowed to take place. It is important to feel the joy of movement at any age, on which not only well-being but also a person's quality of life depends.
Treatment of arthritis
Treatment should begin by identifying the causes of inflammation. Once the nature of the origin of the disease has been established, drugs are prescribed that kill the pathogen of the pathology. Under the influence of pathogenic bacteria, the patient prescribes antibiotics, which are prescribed in the form of tablets or injections, depending on the severity of the poisoning. Viral lesions are treated with antiviral tablets.
Effective removal of inflammation and analgesia will be based on mandatory intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They help cope with unwanted symptoms, both when taking pills and due to local effects on the sore joint area.
Strengthening the immune system is the key to successful disease control. Intake of multivitamins with microelements helps the weakened body and promotes the course of the disease towards healing. In addition to synthetic complexes, natural sources of vitamins are also useful - berries, fruits, vegetables.
Proper nutrition and special diet is recommended for patients with arthritis and arthrosis. Authorized products include fermented dairy products, lean meats, fish, vegetables, and herbs. You need to give up strong coffee and black tea, carbonated and alcoholic beverages.
Physiotherapy practices and physiotherapy procedures give excellent results in combination with the main therapy: magnetic pulse field treatment, radon baths, electrophoresis and other methods. The list of special exercises is compiled by a physiotherapist under whose supervision the load is performed.
Arthrosis
treatedThe disease develops slowly and receives a fundamentally different treatment, which should be aimed at restoring the cartilage tissue in the joint. The 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 the nutrition of tissues and help cartilage to regenerate and increase the production of synovial fluid, which serves as the sole food source for the components of the joint.
If pain occurs, NSAIDs are recommended for symptomatic treatment of pain. Cessation of fortified foods, alcohol, and smoking leads to an increase in the body’s resistance and an increase in the power to fight for healthy joints.
Therapeutic gymnastics using a variety of methods increases blood circulation at the site of injury, causing the joints to move, enhancing trophism. Traditional recipes that have been tested over the years are useful as an additional method of alternative medicine.
In the last stage of arthrosis and arthritis, the only solution is surgical treatment of the joint capsule. The most commonly used method is cartilage transplantation, which can restore the mobility of the affected joint.
How is the disease defined?
In order to find out exactly what disease is developing in your joints, you should make an appointment with an experienced orthopedic doctor. At the first appointment, the doctor conducts a visual examination and asks interesting questions to help form a picture of the disease.
The results of laboratory blood tests will help to differentiate arthritis from arthrosis, which will require general and biochemical tests. An X-ray helps you examine the joint in detail.
In some pathologies, the patient is referred for a magnetic resonance imaging, which answers a doctor's questions about the diagnosis of the pathology. After all the results have been collected, a diagnosis is made, which serves as the basis for prescribing treatment.
Preventive measures
Maintaining joint health requires a healthy lifestyle. Proper nutrition and regular exercise prolong together life, which is important for overall health.
Under no circumstances should you treat yourself with the slightest manifestation of arthrosis or arthritis. Improper actions can negatively affect the outcome of the disease. Timely referral to a specialist and continued adherence to appointments guarantee successful treatment that allows you to lead a healthy lifestyle.