Arthritis and arthrosis are diseases that not only sound very similar, but also affect the body in the same way: they affect bones, joints, ligaments and cartilage.Symptoms such as joint pain and difficulty moving also occur in both cases.However, there are considerable differences between them.We will try to give some clarity to this concept.We will explain how arthritis and arthrosis manifest themselves, what is the difference between these diseases and how they are treated.
Difference between arthritis and arthrosis
Arthritis is inflammation of the joints.Arthrosis is an age-related change in cartilage tissue (cartilage destruction).
Joint painis a very broad term used to describe a wide variety of conditions that cause joint inflammation.Each type of inflammation has its own name, for example, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis (arthrosis, arthrosis deformans).Arthritis can occur at any age.
Arthrosis (osteoarthrosis, osteoarthritis)- one of the most common types of arthritis, which occurs when cartilage tissue wears away.Our joints are mobile due to cartilage, elasticity and smoothness.Its destruction results in direct contact between the bones in the joint, causing pain.Arthrosis is an age-related change that occurs in old age.
Also, arthritis and arthrosis have differences in:
- symptoms
- Risk factors.
- Classification.
- Diagnostics.
- Treatment.
symptoms
Symptoms of arthritis may also be present with arthrosis, but the nature of these symptoms is different.For example, joint pain is present in both cases, but pain with prolonged tension and pressure is common only with arthrosis.
Joint pain
It is important to understand that the symptoms of one type of arthritis are sometimes completely different from the symptoms of another.But here are some symptoms that are commonly observed among all types of arthritis:
- illIt usually hurts at night and may subside when the duration of movement increases (for example, when walking during the day).
- Edema and swelling.If you have not suffered any injuries and when comparing both knees or wrists, one of them appears swollen, this may indicate arthritis.
- Feeling of joint displacement.There may be a feeling that the joints shift and push against each other.
- Fatigue.With any inflammatory disease, the immune system is activated and begins an active struggle, this leads to general weakness of the body and fatigue.
- Fever and loss of appetite.Inflammation not only reduces energy levels, as mentioned earlier, but can also cause fever and loss of appetite.
- Skin redness and rash.Often occurs near inflamed joints.
- Limited range of motion in the affected joint.It goes without saying that the pain makes any movement difficult.Doing simple housework or engaging in your favorite hobby becomes difficult due to acute pain in arthritic joints.
Arthrosis
The following are the most common symptoms of arthrosis:
- illPain is felt in certain joints affected by arthrosis and varies depending on the degree of damage to the cartilage.The more cartilage is destroyed, the more pain a person will experience.Unlike arthritis, where pain often occurs at night or while resting, pain with arthrosis often occurs during the day: when walking, running, etc.Touching the skin on a painful joint can also cause pain.
- Reduced mobility.It is especially noticeable after a long period of inactivity, for example after a night's sleep.
- Crunch.When moving with arthrosis, you can hear a certain sound (not a light click, but a heavy, rough sound).This is the result of cartilage breakdown, which is designed to provide smooth and painless friction between joints.
- Deformation.With arthrosis (especially in the later stages), various deformations of bones and joints can occur: nodules, growths.There is no swelling, like arthritis.
Risk factors
Some factors may be the same for both diseases, while others are different.
- Age.One of the most common risk factors.As you age, your chances of developing arthrosis or other types of arthritis increase tenfold.In this case, arthrosis mainly affects older people, and arthritis can occur at any age.
- Body weight.The heavier a person is, the more stress their joints receive.This increases the chances of developing arthrosis and arthritis.
- injury.The risk of arthrosis at a young age increases if you have had a bone or joint injury before.
- Genetics.If many family members suffer from arthrosis, there is a high probability that you will also face this disease.However, your genetics do not increase your chances of getting arthritis.
- Activities.If you are constantly involved in work that requires you to put a lot of pressure on your bones, joints and cartilage, your chances of developing arthrosis increase.
By the way, a group of researchers at the University of Oxford recently found a marker in the blood that can identify the risk of getting arthritis before the onset of symptoms, even at an early age (up to 16 years).
Classification
Joint pain
- Osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis) is the most common type of arthritis and develops as a result of wear and tear of cartilage and painful friction between joints.
- Rheumatoid arthritis - This type of arthritis usually affects all joints of the body except the lower back.This is an autoimmune disease, the causes of which are not fully understood.A person can get sick at any age (even small children suffer from this disease).
- Ankylosing spondylitis mainly affects the spine.It develops in the vertebrae and discs.This is an autoimmune disease.
- Cervical arthritis occurs for many reasons, but the main one is age.About 85% of people over the age of 80 have this disease.
- Gout is a rare type of arthritis that causes inflammation of various joints.This disease occurs due to an increase in the level of uric acid in the blood.Gout is now rare.
- Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis characterized by inflammation of the skin and joints.With this disease, inflammation of tendons and cartilage is observed;eyes, lungs and even the aorta can also suffer.
- Reactive arthritis occurs as the body's response to bacterial attacks and infections.The causative agents are intestinal and genitourinary infections.This disease causes swelling in the fingers and toes, and lower back pain.
- Juvenile arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects children under the age of 16.Leads to the destruction of bones and joints, problems with development and growth.
- Post-traumatic arthritis - occurs as a result of a previous injury (fracture, fracture, sprain).
Arthrosis
The following types of arthrosis exist:
- Cervical arthrosis affects the cervical vertebrae, occurs in old age, and can be caused by stress and chronic neck disease.Symptoms include neck pain and muscle spasms.
- Facet syndrome is most common among older adults and causes back pain, especially when the person is in an upright position.Poor posture can cause facet syndrome.
- Coxarthrosis is arthrosis of the hip joint.The hip joint is a hinge joint and is one of the strongest in the body.However, in old age it wears out, and coxarthrosis is also often found in athletes and overweight people.
- Lumbar arthrosis affects the lower back.It can be caused by scoliosis and abdominal obesity (accumulation of fatty tissue in the upper body).
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of both joint diseases includes:
- Opinion polls.When the pain occurs, in which joint, the nature and duration of the pain, occupation, in what cases the pain increases, past infectious diseases, injuries, etc.
- Visual inspection and palpation.Check for visible signs: swelling, redness, nodules.
- Analyze.
- X-rays and MRIs.
What is the difference between diagnosing arthritis and arthrosis?Because arthritis is an inflammatory disease, inflammation will be visible in blood tests.The test for arthrosis is clear;X-rays or MRIs are usually used for diagnosis.
Treatment
Joint pain
There are different treatment options depending on the severity of the disease.The main goal of treating arthritis is to eliminate the cause of joint inflammation.
- Medicines.Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis may require a combination of different medications.In addition to analgesics, your doctor may also prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics and hormonal drugs to reduce pain.
- Lifestyle adjustments - diet and exercise to relieve stress on joints.It is necessary to consume foods high in calcium (to stimulate bone strength) and rich in protein (to build strong muscles).
- Surgical intervention.Surgery ranges from minor procedures to major surgery (joint replacement).
Arthrosis
The main goal of treating arthrosis is to restore damaged cartilage.Treatment includes:
- Medicines in tablets are chondroprotectors.
- Injections - corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid to reduce inflammation and improve mobility.
- Massage therapy.The following essential oils are particularly effective: orange, ginger, lavender, rosemary, sandalwood and eucalyptus.
- Therapeutic gymnastics.
- Surgery - Damaged joints can be replaced with artificial joints to reduce pain and increase movement.
- Lifestyle adjustments - diet and exercise to relieve stress on joints.It is necessary to consume foods high in calcium (to stimulate bone strength) and rich in protein (to build strong muscles).
Conclusion
- Arthritis is inflammation of the joints.Arthrosis is an age-related change in cartilage tissue (cartilage destruction).
- Arthrosis occurs in older people (50+) (can also occur at a young age, but very rarely and after a serious injury).Arthritis can occur at any age (even in children).
- With arthrosis, the joint hurts during physical activity.With arthritis, the pain occurs at night.
- With arthrosis, the pain increases during movement, with arthritis it decreases.
- Osteoarthritis most commonly affects the knee and hip joints.Arthritis can occur in any joint;several distant joints or only one may be painful.
- Arthritis, as an inflammatory disease, can be diagnosed with a blood test, arthrosis cannot.