When you mention diseases such as arthritis, arthrosis, joint problems inevitably arise. In fact, both pathologies are directly related to the musculoskeletal system, since the pathological process is localized in the joints. Both arthritis and arthrosis have similar symptoms. Many patients confuse these diseases and consider them to be the same pathology, but they have fundamental differences.
What is arthritis and arthrosis and what is the difference between them?
Arthritis and arthrosis are common diagnoses in older patients. To understand the differences between these two pathologies, let's look at what arthritis and arthrosis are and what is the difference between them.
The chronic disease of the joints, in which their gradual deformation is observed, is called arthrosis. The more correct name is osteoarthritis, since the pathological process involves not only cartilage, but eventually bone tissue as well.
The immediate 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. A typical manifestation of arthrosis is severe pain when moving the limb, as a result of the deterioration of the pathological process, the mobility of the joint is significantly limited. In advanced stages, the joint may become immobile.
Osteoarthritis usually occurs in people over forty-five years of age, but in rare cases it can affect the joints of young people. The disease develops mainly in women, and also affects people with congenital limb pathologies. Osteoarthritis is caused by excess weight, joint surgery and injuries, for example to the hip or knee joint. Endogenous factors, such as improper nutrition or blood circulation disorders in the joint, can also trigger the disease.
Arthritis is an inflammatory pathology localized in the joint. This is the difference between arthritis and arthrosis. Inflammation can occur as a result of infection of the joint, injury, as well as due to degenerative changes in the tissues. Like osteoarthritis, arthritis is characterized by joint pain that worsens with movement.
Lack of appropriate treatment leads to loss of mobility in the joint and its complete immobilization. Arthritis is easier to distinguish, because inflammation provokes redness of the skin at the site of the lesion and swelling. Keep in mind that arthritis is not an isolated pathology. It is a systemic disease that affects not only the musculoskeletal system. Arthritis usually 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 they also have significant differences. Pain is a major symptom that comes to the fore in both arthrosis and arthritis. The nature of the pain is different: with arthrosis, patients experience negative sensations during physical activity, as well as when increasing the load on the damaged joint.
In the initial stage, the pain may not be strong. Therefore, 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 constant. However, if you position the limb well, the pain will subside. In arthritis, the pain does not subside, and the highest peak of its development is reached at night, closer to the morning.
Crunching is a typical feature of arthrosis and chronic arthritis.
Creaking occurs due to a decrease in the elasticity of cartilage tissue and an increase in friction between the joint surfaces. In the initial stage, you may notice crunching of the fingers, and then larger joints are affected. A distinctive feature of joint creaks is the harsh, dry sound produced by the joint.
Limitation of joint mobility and stiffness of movements are typical symptoms of arthrosis and arthritis, but in arthrosis joint problems differ in localization, i. e. a specific joint is affected, and in arthritis - a systemic pathology - discomfort is noted not only injoints, but also in the whole body.
Joint deformities are observed in both pathologies, but they have distinctive features. In arthrosis, the changes affect only the joint itself, and the inflammatory process in arthritis provokes changes in the skin - you can see swelling, redness and hyperthermia. In addition, arthritis is accompanied by general somatic pathology: the body temperature rises, a typical febrile condition occurs, increased sweating, weakness and drowsiness appear. Conjunctivitis may begin and chronic diseases may be complicated. With arthrosis, there are no such symptoms, but if arthrosis has developed, then inflammation will also accompany the arthrosis.
The doctor must carefully distinguish between the signs of arthritis and arthrosis, so if negative symptoms appear, a consultation with a specialist is necessary.
Diagnosis
In order to start the treatment of the disease, the correct diagnosis of arthritis or arthrosis is important. This can be done using various research techniques. Not all patients know which doctor deals with joint pathologies, so at the initial stage you can contact a rheumatologist or a therapist, and then you will have to consult an orthopedist or a surgeon.
Patients should undergo a blood test that will show general changes in the body. If the results of the blood test show no deviations, then doctors tend to arthrosis as a preliminary diagnosis.
If the sedimentation rate of erythrocytes in the blood plasma increases, rheumatoid arthritis is suspected, as there is a clear indication of an inflammatory process. Usually the speed increases above 25 mm/h. An additional confirming sign will be joint pain that worsens at night. To be fair, we note that an increase in ESR is also possible in arthrosis if it is accompanied by inflammation.
An additional argument in favor of rheumatoid arthritis will be the increased number of leukocytes. Blood is also taken from a vein for rheumatological studies - the appearance of a special marker - C-reactive protein, which indicates inflammation. However, you should not rely on a blood test alone, as it is impossible to reliably determine one of the diseases using this analysis. It is necessary to conduct additional studies, constantly taking into account the presence of an inflammatory factor in the blood.
As additional tests, doctors prescribe the following to the patient:
- x-ray of the problem area;
- magnetic resonance;
- CT;
- radioisotope scan.
Doctors take into account the tests, a carefully collected medical history and the results of a blood test, after which a specific disease is diagnosed.
Treatment
In order for the treatment of arthritis and arthrosis to be successful, it is necessary to choose the right treatment strategy. Keep in mind that it is not always possible to completely cure the disease, and in some cases long-term remission is considered a huge success.
In order to relieve the exacerbation and prevent relapses of diseases, it is imperative to treat them with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Medicines have a particularly strong effect on the body with arthritis, and also affect the positive dynamics of arthrosis.
The characteristics of the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are as follows:
- It is not recommended to take drugs for a long time, even if they do not cause negative effects during the intake;
- patients with pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, disorders of the liver, kidneys and heart are prohibited from taking NSAIDs;
- Do not increase the dose of drugs without the doctor's permission, as a negative reaction may occur with individual sensitivity;
- When taking medications, you should 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 you contact a doctor, after examining the patient, effective treatment with the safest non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will be prescribed. In principle, all drugs of this group can be divided into inhibitors of cyclooxygenase 1 and 2. COX-2 inhibitors are considered to be more loyal to the body drugs.
First- and second-generation inhibitors are included in many drugs. These are ointments, patches, gels and tablet preparations.
Medicines to relieve muscle spasms - muscle relaxants - will be helpful in treatment. Usually, this often happens in patients suffering from arthrosis or arthritis. With severe pain in the joints, the muscles experience great tension, and with prolonged discomfort, they suffer from a lack of food and oxygen, so it is very important to relieve the discomfort that accompanies the disease in a timely manner.
During the therapy, a mandatory condition is the normalization of metabolic processes. This becomes possible after the inflammation subsides and the muscle spasm is alleviated. Metabolic drugs for patients with arthritis and arthrosis are adenosine triphosphoric acid, inosine, adenosine phosphate, B vitamins, anabolic steroids.
To remove salts from arthrosis, a special series of drugs is prescribed, as well as means to achieve an optimal acid-alkaline balance.
In order to cure arthritis and arthrosis or achieve lasting positive dynamics, it is very important to take all the medicines recommended by your doctor. Moreover, this should be done according to the scheme prescribed by the doctor, since even the most effective metabolic agents against the background of an active inflammatory process will simply be useless.
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 ointments with bee and snake venom. These preparations also include essential oils. During the massage, you can add eucalyptus and ginger oil, ginger oil, marjoram, rosemary or juniper.
In arthritis and arthrosis, warm baths have a good relaxing effect. They will help relieve muscle pain and fatigue, as well as help relax the body as a whole. The best composition is one drop of ginger oil and the same amount of benzoin styrax or two drops of marjoram oil and black pepper to one tablespoon of olive oil. Add 15-20 drops to the bath. The recipe helps well if the patient has arthrosis of the feet. Oil baths can be done every night at night.
Black poplar also has an excellent effect. Not all patients know how to treat arthritis and arthrosis with black poplar, but it is very easy. From a healthy tree, you need to collect decay, young leaves and shoots - about half a bucket, then everything is poured with boiling water to the edge of the container and kept overnight. In the morning, the liquid is carefully poured into the bath, leaving the cake, and immersed in it for half an hour. After a bath, it is recommended to warm up and lie in bed for an hour.
Folk remedies are of great benefit, even if the patient is affected by arthrosis - a severe combination of bone deformations and inflammatory processes in the joint. For treatment, you need to take a glass of spruce needles and fill them with two liters of water. It is necessary to boil the product for fifteen minutes, after which the broth is poured into the bath and taken until the water cools completely.
Senna leaves will help with arthritis and arthrosis. If the patient regularly treats the disease with this drug, the inflammation quickly disappears. Senna is used as follows: two glasses of the dry component are poured with a liter of boiling water and closed for forty minutes. After that, the liquid is poured into the bath, sea salt is added there and taken until the water reaches the optimal temperature. After the bath, areas of damage due to arthrosis or arthritis are treated with fir oil and wrapped with a scarf.
Prevention
As preventive measures, doctors give patients the following advice:
- completely treat all infectious pathologies, do not interrupt the course of therapy with antibacterial drugs, so as not to leave pockets of inflammation in the body;
- adhere to a balanced diet;
- wear comfortable shoes that do not restrict your feet;
- get rid of excess weight, which creates additional stress on the limbs;
- do not overcool your feet, be careful in wet weather and cold seasons;
- protect yourself from injuries and when actively playing sports, use special bandages, supports and elastic bandages;
- do daily gymnastics, take walks in the fresh air to activate blood circulation in the body, and when the first symptoms of arthritis or arthrosis are detected, do special joint gymnastics - exercises for hands, ankles, knees.
Arthritis and arthrosis are severe lesions of the joint surfaces. If they are treated incorrectly or untimely, they can lead to disability, so doctors strongly recommend consulting a doctor at the first symptoms of the disease.