Arthritis and arthrosis are complex diseases that attack the joints.Because the symptoms are similar, many people think these diseases are the same, but this is not the case.Rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis differ in the causes of the disease, the nature of its development, the extent of damage and require very different treatment.
Suppose two people go to the doctor complaining of joint pain.One was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and the other with rheumatoid arthritis.While the two patients sat in line, they had a brief discussion about their health problems.
It turns out the symptoms are very similar: painful joints, unable to bend/straighten with full strength, unable to rest either night or day.Even though the diagnoses are similar, they are still different.What is the difference between arthritis and arthrosis if both diseases attack the joints?
What is arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints.This is always preceded by damage to the bone or cartilage tissue by several factors.
Biologically active substances are released from destroyed cells, which trigger an inflammatory reaction.The blood vessels in the affected area dilate and fill with blood: therefore, immune cells emerge into the joint tissue to fight the damaging factors.
At the same time, the liquid part of the blood leaves the vascular bed and edema forms, which limits the area of inflammation.This is the body's way of protecting itself from serious damage from bacteria, foreign objects and chemicals.
Once the pathogenic agent is completely or partially eliminated, the healing mechanism is initiated.If the damage is minor, then normal tissue function will be restored.Deep defects are healed through scars, areas of rough connective tissue that do not carry out the normal function of an organ.
Arthritis goes through all of the following stages:
- change – damage;
- exudation – formation of edema;
- proliferation - healing.
Reason
There are a lot of causes of this disease, we list the main ones:
- streptococcal infections (tonsillitis, scarlet fever) often cause complications - rheumatism;
- aggressive autoantibodies - proteins that the body produces to fight its own tissues;this situation develops when there are errors in the body's immune defense, due to which the joints are perceived as foreign elements to the body - rheumatoid arthritis;
- violation of purine metabolism leads to the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints - gout;
- allergic reactions can involve joint tissue with the development of an inflammatory reaction - allergic arthritis;
- long-term use of certain drugs causes inflammation (isoniazid, D-penicillin, hydralazine, proboinami) - drug-induced arthritis;
- bacteria enter through the bloodstream or during surgery - infectious arthritis;
- viral or bacterial infection in any location can indirectly affect the joint tissue - this is reactive arthritis;
- acute injury - recent damage (impact, bruise, capsule rupture).
Symptom
This disease is characterized by an acute initial stage, that is, against the background of intact health, a person experiences sharp pain in the joints.The autoimmune form is characterized by symmetrical damage to small joints - the interphalangeal joints of the fingers, wrists and elbows.
In most 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 around the joint becomes red and feels hotter to the touch than other areas.Externally, it looks swollen and increases in volume.If the lesion only occurs on one side, there is a visible difference between the healthy and diseased limbs.
Restricted movement is associated with swelling and pain.If the joint cavity is slightly inflamed, then it works almost completely.With severe pathological reactions, 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 provoking factors and stopping inflammation.
For bacterial and reactive arthritis, antibiotics are necessary, for autoimmune arthritis - cytostatics or glucocorticoids, for allergic arthritis - glucocorticoids and antihistamines.
Inflammatory fluid is removed with a syringe or special suction during arthroscopy.The joint is immobile during the entire period of acute inflammation.After that, 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 been proven to successfully treat inflammation in joints of any etiology.They are easy to apply and cheap.You need to fold the gauze in several layers, the length and width should be such that they are enough for the sore joint.Soak the folded gauze in hot water, wring it out, and straighten it.Sprinkle a thin layer of gelatin on top, roll it up until it's inside, like in a bag, and doesn't spill out.Place it on the joint, wrap a plastic bag over it, and secure with a bandage and/or adhesive tape.You can use the compress for up to 3 hours, do it 2 times a day for 2 weeks.Usually the effects are only felt on the 4-5th day of use, but therapy must be continued to achieve the desired results;if the course is interrupted, the pain will return.
What is arthritis
Arthrosis (or osteoarthritis) is a degenerative disease.It is based on decreased nutrition of articular cartilage, slower recovery and gradual thinning.
Simply put, layers of cartilage are worn away faster than they recover.The articular surfaces of the bones are visible.They are not as smooth as cartilage and when they move they rub together vigorously.The bone plate is partially destroyed, and mild chronic inflammation develops.
As the disease progresses, bone spines grow in the joints – a protective reaction of the tissue against ongoing damage.They prevent surfaces from sliding relative to each other, and joint mobility is impaired.
Arthrosis in most people begins to develop after 30-40 years, lasts for years, symptoms are mild or moderate.
Osteoarthritis of the spinal joints is commonly called osteochondrosis.
Reason
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 disease;
- 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.
Symptom
Large joints are usually affected on one side: knee, hip, sacral.This disease begins without realizing it.At first, the pain is rare and associated with significant physical activity.
This discomfort disappears 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.
Joint mobility gradually decreases and is lost completely due to disease.Movement of the affected limb causes severe pain.Osteoarthritis can worsen according to the type of arthritis - fluid accumulates in the joint cavity, the skin above it becomes red and becomes hot.After the inflammatory reaction subsides, the course of the disease returns to its original state.
Treatment
Treatment of arthrosis is carried out by traumatologists, orthopedists, and sometimes surgeons.Therapy is aimed at restoring metabolic processes in cartilage, improving joint nutrition, and eliminating inflammatory reactions.Treatment is lifelong, it can be continuous or with medication.
During the interictal period, chondroprotectors are prescribed in the form of tablets and ointments, therapeutic exercises and massage.If an exacerbation occurs, chondroprotectors are administered intravenously or intramuscularly along with pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs.A traumatologist can inject a protective medication directly into the joint every few months.
Advanced stages of the disease require surgical intervention, in which the diseased joint is replaced with an artificial joint.
Differences between diseases
| Signature | arthritis | arthritis |
| Causes of disease | Inflammation | Degeneration of cartilage tissue |
| At the moment | Acute, chronic with exacerbation | Chronic |
| Sick | Intense from the start, more pronounced in the morning | At the beginning of the disease it was weak, but gradually increased.Increases at night and after exercise |
| Movement | It is important to "disperse" - in the morning after sleep, the joints are least able to move | Mobility decreases gradually, no stiffness in the morning |
| Affected joints | Small joints of the hands and feet are affected symmetrically.The large ones suffer from bacterial infections | One or more large joints on different sides of the body |
| Blood test | Pronounced inflammatory changes in general blood tests, rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, antibodies to pathogens | No change in characteristics |
| X-ray | Gradual changes, osteoporosis - loss of bone tissue, cysts in the bones | Gradual changes, deformation of the joint space, appearance of spines and bone growth. |
| Basic care | Anti-inflammatory drugs | Chondroprotector |
A similar feature of these two diseases is a progressive course with gradual loss of mobility.Autoimmune arthritis often appears at a young age, when a person is less concerned about their health.
It should be remembered that long-lasting joint pain 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 progression of the pathological process.