Related, sometimes interrelated joint diseases - arthritis and osteoarthritis have many similarities and differences. But it is possible to determine what 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 unnecessary, 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, causing unpleasant symptoms and discomfort. Both pathologies cause inflammation of the joint, disrupt its functioning, which prevents a person from moving normally.
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 diseases:
- 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 joint integrity. With the progression of the pathology, inflammation of the synovial membrane and fluid develops. There is a lot of lubricant produced, which leads to swelling in the hands, feet, knee joints and other joints. Changes are observed in the cartilaginous tissues - 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 affecting the cartilage lining the articular surfaces of bone. Pathology is more often diagnosed in older people. The main provoking factor is age-related changes, during which physiological thinning and wear of cartilage occur. 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 pre-diagnose a particular disease. To distinguish what disease develops in a patient, 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 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 arthrosis of the joints are different. If a person develops arthritis, the pain is mostly disturbed at rest, during rest or sleep. After waking up, stiffness and discomfort are felt. Arthrosis 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 1st degree is characterized by the absence of pronounced changes, however, as the pathology progresses, the joint deforms and cracks. If arthritis develops, the joints in the legs and feet immediately become swollen and warm. The general well-being of the patient is disturbed, he loses weight, his body temperature rises.
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 ankle arthritis. To do this, the patient must undergo a number of such diagnostic examinations:
- general blood and urine tests;
- plasma biochemical study;
- rheumatic tests;
- x-ray of the affected joints of the arms and legs;
- CT or MRI diagnosis of soft tissues.
medical treatment
To treat both pathologies, it is recommended to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They provide first aid to diseased joints, relieving inflammation and pain. With arthrosis, effective treatment is aimed at the regeneration of cartilage. 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 therapy, antibiotic therapy is used. If the pathology is caused by immune disorders, hormonal drugs and cytostatics are prescribed.
The main contraindications for arthritis in the acute stage are massage and physiotherapy.
home therapy
Traditional methods of treating arthritis and arthrosis involve the use of herbs, eggshells, propolis, garlic compresses, decoction of bay leaves. Sometimes traditional medicine suggests using herbs, the therapeutic effect of which is more dangerous and toxic than certain drugs. All prescriptions and their ingredients must be agreed with the doctor. Comprehensive treatment of arthritis and arthrosis should be aimed at stopping inflammatory complications and relieving the patient's condition.
What is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis?
It is difficult to determine which disease is the worst. Both pathologies have similar and distinctive features. The table shows the characteristics of each disease:
| sign | Arthritis | osteoarthritis |
|---|---|---|
| Pain | Acute, painful, independent of the nature of the movements | Dull, penetrating, aggravated by movement |
| Stiffness in the morning | Express | Sometimes it bothers, but lasts no more than 30-40 minutes. |
| Redness and fever | There are | sometimes |
| swelling | Yes | Rarely |
| Crunch, clicks | Not | There are |
| Deformation | In advanced cases | Yes |
| Mobility restrictions | Yes | Yes |