Arthritis and arthrosis are complex diseases that affect the joints.Due to similar symptoms, many people think that these diseases are identical, 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.
Suppose two people went to the doctor complaining of joint pain.One was diagnosed with arthritis and the other with arthrosis.As the two patients sat in line, they had time to briefly discuss their health issues.
It turns out that their symptoms are very similar: their joints hurt, they don't bend/unbend with full force, they don't rest either night or day.Even the diagnoses are similar, but they are still 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 from some factor.
Biologically active substances are released from destroyed cells, which cause an inflammatory reaction.The vessels in the affected area expand and fill with blood: because of this, immune cells come out to the joint tissue to fight the damaging factor.
At the same time, the liquid part of the blood leaves the vascular bed and edema is formed, which limits the area of inflammation.This is the body's way of protecting itself from multiple injuries from bacteria, foreign bodies and chemicals.
After the complete or partial removal of the pathogenic agent, the healing mechanism begins.If the damage was minor, then normal tissue function is restored.Deep defects heal through a scar, an area of tough connective tissue that does not carry out the normal function of an organ.
Arthritis goes through all of these stages:
- change - damage;
- exudation - the formation of edema;
- spread - healing.
reason
There are many causes of the disease, we list the main ones:
- Streptococcal infection (tonsillitis, scarlet fever) often causes a complication - rheumatism;
- aggressive autoantibodies - proteins that the body produces to fight its own tissues;this situation develops when there is an error in the immune defense, due to which it perceives the joints as a foreign element for the body - rheumatoid arthritis;
- a violation of purine metabolism leads to the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints - gout;
- allergic reactions can involve joint tissues with the development of an inflammatory reaction - allergic arthritis;
- long-term use of certain medications causes inflammation (isoniazid, D-penicillin, hydralazine, proboinam) - drug-induced arthritis;
- bacteria enter through the bloodstream or during surgery - infectious arthritis;
- a viral or bacterial infection of any site can indirectly affect joint tissues - this is reactive arthritis;
- acute injury - recent injury (blow, bruise, rupture of the capsule).
Symptoms
The disease is characterized by an initial acute stage, that is, against the background of complete health, a person develops sharp pains in the joints.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.With bacterial and reactive arthritis, large joints are usually affected on one side: knee, hip, sacral (at the junction of the spine with the pelvic bones).
Rheumatism develops against a background of fever and general weakness, usually preceded by a sore throat.Severe inflammation of bones, cartilage tissue and synovium can occur with fever, general intoxication: headache, weakness, lack of appetite.
The skin over the joint becomes red and feels hotter to the touch than other areas.From the outside, it looks swollen and increases in volume.If the lesion occurs only on one side, then the difference between the healthy and diseased limb is obvious.
Limited movement is accompanied by swelling and pain.If the joint cavity is slightly inflamed, then it works almost completely.With a pronounced pathological reaction, the entire synovial cavity can be filled with fluid - in this case, mobility is severely limited.
Treatment
Treatment is carried out by a general practitioner, rheumatologist or traumatologist - if the cause is mechanical damage.Therapy is aimed at eliminating the provoking factor and stopping inflammation.
Antibiotics are needed for bacterial and reactive arthritis, cytostatics or glucocorticoids for autoimmune arthritis, glucocorticoids and antihistamines for allergic arthritis.
Inflammatory fluid is removed with a special syringe or suction during arthroscopy.This joint is immobile during the entire period of acute inflammation.Then, the patient is shown therapeutic exercises to restore joint mobility.
Doctor's advice
From personal practice and work experience of colleagues, compresses with gelatin have worked well for inflammation in the joints of any etiology.They are easy to implement and inexpensive.You need to fold the gauze in several layers, the length and width should be such that it is enough for the injured joint.Dip the folded gauze in hot water, squeeze and straighten.Sprinkle a thin layer of gelatin on top, twist it so that it ends up inside, like in a bag and does not spill.Place it on the joint, wrap it with a plastic bag on top and fix it with a bandage and/or adhesive plaster.You can keep the compress up to 3 hours, do it 2 times a day for 2 weeks.Usually the effect is felt on the 4-5th day of use, but the therapy must be continued to achieve the desired result;if the course is interrupted, the pain will return.
What is arthrosis?
Arthrosis (otherwise osteoarthritis) is a degenerative disease.It is based on deterioration of articular cartilage nutrition, slower recovery and gradual thinning.
Simply put, cartilage wears away faster than it is restored.The bony articular surfaces are exposed.They are not as smooth as cartilage and when they move they rub against each other with force.Bone plates are partially destroyed and mild chronic inflammation develops.
As the disease progresses, bone spurs grow in the joints - a protective response of the tissues to ongoing damage.They prevent the surfaces from sliding relative to each other, and joint mobility is impaired.
Arthrosis in most people begins to progress after 30-40 years, lasts for years, its symptoms are mild or moderate.
Osteoarthritis of the vertebral joints is commonly called osteochondrosis.
reason
There are predisposing factors that cause the development of pathology at a young age and complicate its course:
- heavy physical activity in athletes;
- obesity;
- history of joint damage;
- 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, sacral.The disease begins without being noticed.At first, the pain is rare and is accompanied by considerable 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 as a result of the disease it is completely lost.Movements in the affected limb cause severe pain.Osteoarthritis can worsen depending on the type of arthritis - fluid accumulates in the joint cavity, the skin over 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, an orthopedist and sometimes a surgeon.The therapy is aimed at restoring the metabolic processes in the cartilage, improving the nutrition of the joints and eliminating the inflammatory reaction.The treatment is lifelong, it can be continuous or with courses of drugs.
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 painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.A traumatologist can inject protective drugs 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 up | Arthritis | arthrosis |
| The cause of the disease | Inflammation | Cartilage tissue degeneration |
| CURRENT | Acute, chronic with irritations | chronic |
| Pain | Intense from the beginning, more pronounced in the morning | At the beginning of the disease it is weak, but it gradually increases.Increases in the evening and after exercise |
| Movements | It is necessary to "distribute" - in the morning after sleep, the joints are less mobile | Mobility decreases gradually, without stiffness in the morning |
| Affected nodes | The small joints of the hands and feet are affected symmetrically.Large ones suffer from bacterial infection | One or more large joints on different sides of the body |
| Blood test | Marked inflammatory changes in the general blood test, rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, antibodies to pathogens | There are no characteristic changes |
| X ray | Gradual changes, osteoporosis - loss of bone tissue, cysts in the bones | Gradual changes, joint space deformation, the appearance of bone spurs and protrusions. |
| Basic treatment | Anti-inflammatory medications | Chondroprotectors |
A similar feature of both diseases is a progressive course with a gradual loss of mobility.Autoimmune arthritis often appears at a young age, when a person is still careless about his health.
It should be remembered that any pain in the joints that lasts for a long time occurs under certain conditions - this is a serious reason to consult a doctor.It is important to diagnose the disease in time and start its treatment in order to slow down the development of the pathological process.