When you mention diseases like arthritis, arthritis, joint problems inevitably come to mind. In fact, both pathologies are directly related to the musculoskeletal system, since the pathological process is localized in the articular joints. Both arthritis and arthrosis have similar symptoms. Many patients confuse these diseases and consider them to be one and the same pathology, however, there are fundamental differences.
What are arthritis and arthrosis and how are they different?
Arthritis and arthrosis are common diagnoses in older patients. To understand the differences between the two pathologies, let's look at what arthritis and arthrosis are and what is the difference between them.
A chronic disease of the joints, in which gradual deformation of the joints is observed, is called arthrosis. A more correct name is osteoarthritis, since the pathological process affects not only the cartilage, but ultimately the bone tissue as well.
The direct cause of the disease is damage to the surfaces of the joint, as a result of which they wear out and cease to perform their functions. The typical manifestation of arthrosis is severe pain when moving the limb, and as a result of the worsening of the pathological process, the mobility of the joint is significantly limited. In an advanced stage, the joint may become immobile.
Arthrosis usually occurs in people over the age of forty-five, but in rare cases it can also affect the joints of young people. The disease develops mainly in women and also affects people who have congenital limbs. Osteoarthritis is caused by excess weight, joint surgeries and injuries such as hip or knee joints. Endogenous factors such as poor nutrition or joint circulation disorders can also trigger the disease.
Arthritis is an inflammatory pathology localized in the joint. This is the difference between arthritis and arthrosis. Inflammation can also occur as a result of joint infection, injury, and degenerative tissue changes. Like arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by joint pain that worsens with movement.
Lack of proper treatment leads to loss of mobility and complete immobilization of the joint. Arthritis is easier to distinguish because the inflammation causes redness and swelling at the site of the injury. Note that arthritis is not an isolated pathology. It is a systemic disease that affects not only the musculoskeletal system. Arthritis typically affects the liver, kidneys and heart. This is the main difference between arthritis and local arthrosis.
Signs
The symptoms of arthritis and arthrosis are largely similar, but there are significant differences. Pain is a basic symptom that comes to the fore in both arthrosis and arthritis. The nature of the pain varies: in the case of arthrosis, patients experience negative feelings during physical activity, as well as when the load on the damaged joint increases.
In the initial stage, the pain is not necessarily severe. Because of this, patients do not always attach importance to such symptoms and do not pay attention to the first signs of pathology. At rest, the pain subsides. Only in the second and third stages is the pain constantly present. However, if you position the limb correctly, the pain will go away. In the case of arthritis, the pain does not subside, it reaches its highest peak at night, closer to the morning.
Cracking is a typical feature of arthrosis and chronic arthritis.
Cracking occurs due to a decrease in the elasticity of the cartilage tissue and an increase in friction between the joint surfaces. In the initial stage, you may notice a crunch in the fingers, and then the larger joints are affected. A characteristic feature of joint cracking is the rough, dry sound produced by the joint.
Limitation of joint movement and stiffness of movements are typical symptoms of arthrosis and arthritis, but in the case of arthrosis, joint problems differ locally, e. g. a specific joint is affected, and with arthritis - a systemic pathology - discomfort is observed not only in the joints, but in the whole body.
Joint deformities can be observed in both pathologies, but they have distinctive features. In the case of arthrosis, the changes affect only the joint itself, and the inflammatory process of arthritis causes changes in the skin - swelling, redness and hyperthermia are visible. In addition, arthritis is accompanied by a general somatic pathology: the body temperature rises, a typical febrile condition occurs, increased sweating, weakness and drowsiness. Conjunctivitis may begin and chronic diseases may become more complicated. There are no such symptoms with arthrosis, but if arthrosis has developed, then arthrosis is also accompanied by inflammation.
The doctor must carefully distinguish between the signs of arthritis and arthrosis, so if negative symptoms appear, a specialist should be consulted.
Diagnostics
Correct diagnosis of arthritis or arthrosis is important to start treating the disease. This can be done using various research techniques. Not every patient knows which doctor deals with joint pathologies, so at the initial stage you can contact a rheumatologist or therapist, and then consult an orthopedic doctor or surgeon.
Patients should have a blood test that shows general changes in the body. If the results of the blood test do not show any deviation, then the doctors tend to arthrosis as a preliminary diagnosis.
If the sedimentation rate of erythrocytes in the blood plasma increases, then rheumatic arthritis is suspected, as it clearly indicates an inflammatory process. The speed typically increases above 25 mm/h. Another confirming sign is joint pain that worsens at night. In fairness, we note that an increase in ESR is also possible in arthrosis, if it is accompanied by inflammation.
Another argument for rheumatoid arthritis is the increase in the number of leukocytes. For rheumatological tests, blood is also taken from a vein - the appearance of a special marker - C-reactive protein, which indicates inflammation. However, you should not rely only on the blood test, since it is impossible to reliably determine one of the diseases with this analysis. Further research should be carried out, constantly taking into account the presence of the inflammatory factor in the blood.
As an additional examination, doctors prescribe the following to the patient:
- x-ray of the problem area;
- magnetic resonance imaging;
- computed tomography;
- radioisotope scanning.
Doctors take into account the tests, the carefully collected medical history and the results of the blood test, after which they diagnose a specific disease.
Treatment
Successful treatment of arthritis and arthrosis requires the selection of the appropriate treatment strategy. Note that it is not always possible to completely cure the disease, and in some cases long-term remission is considered a huge success.
Treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is absolutely necessary in order to alleviate the aggravation and prevent the relapse of the disease. Medicines have a particularly strong effect on the body suffering from arthritis and also influence the positive dynamics of arthrosis.
Features of the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are as follows:
- It is not recommended to take the drugs for a long time, even if they do not cause negative effects during administration;
- patients suffering from pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidney and heart diseases are prohibited from taking NSAIDs;
- Do not increase the dose of drugs without the doctor's permission, as a negative reaction may occur in case of individual sensitivity;
- If you are taking medications, take them with a large glass of water;
- When taking NSAIDs, it is forbidden to combine several drugs, as well as to drink alcoholic beverages;
- Taking NSAIDs during pregnancy is prohibited.
When consulting a doctor, the patient is prescribed effective treatment with the safest non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs after the examination. Basically, all drugs belonging to this group can be divided into cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 inhibitors. COX-2 inhibitors are more loyal to the body.
First and second generation inhibitors are found in many drugs. These are ointments, patches, gels and tablets.
Medicines to relieve muscle spasms - muscle relaxants - will be helpful in treatment. In general, this often occurs in patients with arthrosis or arthritis. In the case of severe joint pain, the muscles experience strong tension, and in the case of prolonged discomfort, they suffer from a lack of nutrients and oxygen, so it is very important to immediately alleviate the discomfort associated with the disease.
An essential condition during therapy is the normalization of metabolic processes. This becomes possible after the inflammation subsides and the muscle spasm subsides. Metabolic drugs for patients with arthritis and arthrosis are adenosine triphosphoric acid, inosine, adenosine phosphate, B vitamins, anabolic steroids.
A series of special drugs are prescribed to remove salts from arthrosis, as well as tools for achieving optimal acid-base balance.
In order to cure arthritis and arthrosis or achieve lasting positive dynamics, it is very important to take all the medicines recommended by the doctor. In addition, this should be done according to the regimen prescribed by the doctor, because even the most effective metabolic agents will simply be useless against the background of an active inflammatory process.
Traditional treatment
Diseases such as arthritis and arthrosis can be treated not only with traditional medicines, but also with folk remedies. Massages with preparations based on natural ingredients will be useful. These are bee and snake venom ointments. These preparations also contain essential oils. Eucalyptus and ginger oil, ginger, marjoram, rosemary or juniper oil can be added during the massage.
In case of arthritis and arthritis, a warm bath has a good relaxing effect. They help relieve muscle pain and fatigue and help relax the body as a whole. The best combination is one drop of ginger oil and the same amount of benzoin styrax or two drops of marjoram and black pepper oil to one tablespoon of olive oil. Add 15-20 drops to the bath. The recipe helps well if the patient has arthrosis of the legs. Oil baths can be done every evening, at night.
Black summer also has an excellent effect. Not every patient knows how to treat arthritis and arthrosis with black summer, but it is very simple. Rot, young leaves and shoots should be collected from a healthy tree - about half a bucket, then the whole thing is poured over the edge of the container with boiling water and kept overnight. In the morning, carefully pour the liquid into the bath, leave the cake and soak it for half an hour. After bathing, it is worth warming up and lying in bed for an hour.
Folk remedies are of great help even if the patient suffers from arthrosis - a severe combination of bone deformity with the inflammatory process of the joint joint. For the treatment, take a glass of pine needles and fill it with two liters of water. The product should be boiled for fifteen minutes, then the soup should be poured into the bath and taken until the water cools down completely.
Senna leaves help with arthritis and arthrosis. If the patient regularly treats the disease with this drug, the inflammation will disappear quickly. Senna is used as follows: two glasses of dry components are poured with one liter of boiling water and sealed for forty minutes. The liquid is then poured into the bath, sea salt is added, and it is taken until the water reaches the optimal temperature. After bathing, injuries due to arthrosis or arthritis are treated with pine oil and wrapped with a scarf.
Prevention
As a preventive measure, doctors advise patients to:
- completely treat all infectious pathologies, do not interrupt the course of therapy with antibacterial drugs, so as not to leave inflammatory pockets in the body;
- follow a balanced diet;
- wear comfortable shoes that do not restrict your feet;
- get rid of excess weight, which causes additional stress on the limbs;
- do not overcool your feet, be careful in wet weather and cold season;
- protect yourself from injuries and use special bandages, supports and elastic bandages during active sports;
- do daily gymnastics, walk in the fresh air to activate blood circulation in the body, and when you notice the first symptoms of arthritis or arthrosis, do special joint gymnastics - exercises for hands, ankles, knees.
Arthritis and arthrosis are serious changes in the joint surfaces. If not treated properly or prematurely, they can lead to disability, so doctors strongly recommend that you see a doctor at the first symptoms of the disease.