Arthritis and osteoarthritis are two pathologies that affect the musculoskeletal system, namely the joints. The etiology and pathogenesis of these diseases are different, but the end result is the same: damage to the joints (cartilaginous tissue, meniscus, intra-articular structure and tendino-muscular corset) with inflammation of soft tissues, violation of anatomical structureand physiological destruction.
Separately, these pathologies represent: arthritis is an inflammatory process, involving the involvement of a certain group of enzymes, the purpose of which is to destroy the connective tissue of the joints. Arthrosis is the destruction of the joints, that is, irreversible phenomena with complete or partial deformation of all joint components with a limitation of the biomechanics of the organ. Excluding these pathologies plus the establishment of adequate prevention, it is necessary to know everything about arthritis and osteoarthritis, what is the difference than treating it.
Specificity, difference and causes
The difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is as follows: arthritis can be eliminated with medication and osteoarthritis with medication and surgery and only after the elimination of the main cause, such as concomitant diseases, metabolic disorders or injuries. Inflammation of the joint or arthritis can occur after mechanical injury, long walking or vertical load. The process involves any joint (upper and lower limbs plus all the joints that make up the chest and spine) with a single or twin lesion. Inflammation attracts not only joint components, but also all surrounding tissue layers, this fact depends on the depth of the lesion. With high-quality treatment, inflammation is eliminated, and cartilage tissue is gradually restored.
The destructive pathology of the joints or osteoarthritis can be stopped only after the treatment of the underlying disease or the correction of metabolism or hormonal composition. The disease consists of partial or complete abrasion of the cartilaginous plate. The exposed bone is covered with osteophytes, which create unbearable pain when moving. In addition, the joint loses its biomechanical capacity, it is often the fault of the patient - he tries to spare the diseased joint, which quickly stiffens. It is this fact that explains the difference between osteoarthritis and arthritis: with arthritis, the ability to move returns to the joint (unless the anatomical structure of the organ of movement has been disturbed due to an accident orfrom an infectious-inflammatory disease), and with arthrosis, the physiological ability to move is partially restored in lesions of the first degree, and at an advanced stage - only surgically.
Causes leading to the development of arthritis and arthrosis:
- Arthritis is caused by: mechanical injuries (bruises, blows, open and closed type fractures with or without the intervention of a microbial infection), constant physical activity (running, walking, jumping, lifting weights) and factorsphysico-chemical (a drop in temperature with hypothermia or overheating of the joints). Allergies and poisonings are also included in the group of causes that cause disease. In childhood, arthritis is the result of beriberi and reduced immunity, as well as frequent injuries, especially of the joints of the lower extremities.
- Arthrosis has a wide range of causes, namely: hereditary diseases of connective tissue, an increased background of allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases, a rheumatic component, metabolic disorders, diabetes mellitus, thyrotoxicosis, diseasesliver and kidney chronicles, as well as changes in the hormonal composition of female and male hormones ( estrogens and androgens). Sarcoma or carcinoma is one of the malignant neoplasms leading to a destructive process of bone tissue and cartilage plates. Intoxication of the body with poisons or increased radiation is a clear mechanism for the development of arthrosis.
Important! After diagnostic manipulations, it becomes clear where arthritis and arthrosis are, what is the difference and how to treat. Folk remedies can drown out the inflammatory process, but it is impossible to get rid of the disease, so consult a doctor!
Symptoms of joint diseases
Clinical symptoms: what is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis
| Arthritis | Osteoarthritis |
| Inflammation of the joint with its local redness + increase in edematous volume. | Inflammatory processes extend not only to the diseased joint area, but also to the surrounding soft tissues with a violation of the anatomical design of the joints. |
| Pain syndrome: shooting pain when walking and at rest. | The pain has a varied character: throbbing, sharp and aching. Partially disappears with a certain posture. |
| Temporary restriction of movement (complete or partial immobilization). | Permanent restriction of movement. The plus: the savings or facilitation provisions are characteristic. At the last stage of the disease, the joint is completely paralyzed (it is impossible to unbend, bend and rotate the joint). |
| An increase in temperature over the affected joint. | The temperature above the joint is normal (36. 6 degrees). With destruction involving infection or pinching of nerves, body temperature rises to 37-38 degrees, especially at night. |
| Radiation of pain to nearby organs and systems, depending on location | Characterized by the irradiation of pain. |
| With a microbial infection, an increase in body temperature of up to 38-39 degrees is observed. | Infectious agents rarely join. |
| The weather change does not affect the diseased organ. | Sore joints react to weather conditions. |
| The patient has pain in a joint. | With osteoarthritis, several joints or the entire musculoskeletal system can hurt. |
Warning! When the first symptoms of inflammation appear in the joints of the fingers, it is not necessary to endure pain and wait for the deformation of the joints - this will lead to irreversible processes in the form of anatomical changes and physiological disorders.
To the question: "arthritis and osteoarthritis, what is the difference in the fingers? ", there is a reliable answer: a weakening of the grip of the fingers, a decrease in their sensitivity and unbearable pain during physical efforts that do notnot go away after a night's rest. The treatment is only medical.
The difference between arthrosis and arthritis of the knee joint is as follows: in arthritis, the pathology is eliminated after treatment according to the treatment regimen, and the biomechanics of the joint after rehabilitation is restored. In arthrosis, depending on the degree of damage, biomechanics is partially restored only after surgery with correction of the articular structure.
These pathologies affect all the joints, including the joints of the toes. Arthritis and osteoarthritis what is the difference between toes and fingers? The fingers of the lower limbs undergo the same changes as those of the hands: inflammation, swelling and pain. In osteoarthritis, the joints undergo destruction and deformation. The anatomical shape changes, when moving, a sharp or aching pain is felt. It is difficult to step on it, after a long walk the pain does not stop. It only disappears after an injection of painkiller.
Similar and Dissimilar Facts
Similarities of joint pathologies:
- Source of pathology (joints).
- Symptoms with clinical picture.
- Diagnostic studies.
- Preventive actions.
- Recovery period.
- Drug therapy, exercise therapy and physiotherapy.
- Forecast.
Distinguishing Factors:
| Arthritis | Osteoarthritis |
| It has an acute and chronic course. | Chronic degenerative character. |
| A joint is hurting me. | Joints are affected in pairs or systemically. |
| The pain syndrome completely disappears after medical treatment and rehabilitation. | The pain will always be present, only easing with a certain position of the body and the administration of strong painkillers. |
| Both adults and children get sick. | Pathology is typical for elderly people or patients with chronic diseases associated with hormonal disorders or metabolic changes. |
| Pathology is more often characteristic of the ankle and elbow joints. | All joints are affected at the same time. |
| It is a separate disease. | It is a consequence or complication of chronic concomitant diseases. |
| Temporary restriction of movement. | Permanent limitation of joint biomechanics. |
| The disease has a certain etiology - trauma or stress. Rarely there is intoxication or allergy of the body. | Age-related changes or chronic illnesses. |
| Rehabilitation is short without exacerbations. | Rehabilitation is long with exacerbations. |
Patients often ask themselves the question: which doctor treats arthritis and osteoarthritis? With such pathologies, you need to contact a traumatologist, a rheumatologist (if the pathology is rheumatoid in nature) or a surgeon. Before visiting these doctors, you need to be examined by the attending physician of the clinic at the place of residence, take laboratory tests (general and biochemical), take x-rays in three projections, MRI plus computed tomography. Then take a referral for further consultation by specialists in pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.
Medical tactics
Having found symptoms in themselves or having a diagnosis already established in their hands, all patients are looking for information: "Treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis with medication". This is the right tactic, but the treatment should be prescribed only by the attending physician and under his strict supervision.
Arthritis - treatment
Therapeutic tactics begin after a thorough examination of the instruments and the laboratory. It depends on the form and stage of the pathology, so the method of treatment is selected individually, namely:
- drugs that relieve pain cider, up to drugs from the group of narcotics, depending on the intensity of pain;
- nonsteroidal drugs;
- drugs of the COX1 or COX2 group (non-selective enzyme inhibitors) are prescribed;
- antispasmodics;
- muscle relaxants;
- chondroprotectors;
- vitamins: B12, B1, B6, A, D, PP;
- antioxidants: vitamin C;
- drugs that increase immunity;
- desensitizers;
- massage therapy and exercise therapy.
The reduction of physical activity, the exclusion from the diet of excessive consumption of salt and pepper, fried and fatty foods, as well as alcohol + smoking are an integral part of therapeutic therapy. In diabetes - strictly follow a diet and take drugs that regulate sugar levels.
Important! For the effective treatment of arthritis of any etiology (including the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis), vitamin medication is recommended. It contains a certain dosage of B1, B6 and B12.
What is the essence of the effectiveness of vitamins B1, B6 and B12 in the treatment of arthritis? Thiamine relieves pain by reducing nerve excitability. Pyridoxine - stimulates sphingolipids of nerve fibers and increases the level of metabolism of the musculoskeletal system, thereby improving the metabolism of amino acid components. Cyanocobalamin: acts on the neurons of the brain, improves the production of red blood cells.
Osteoarthritis - treatment
Several points are added to the specified scheme for the treatment of arthritis, namely:
- strong analgesics to relieve pain;
- corticosteroid drugs;
- novocaine blockade;
- intra-articular injections of drugs that restore cartilage tissue;
Surgery is the best treatment option. First, this method of treatment removes the destructive components of the joint, artificially increases the substance that replaces the cartilage. Second, arthroplasty of the diseased joint is performed. The rehabilitation period after surgery depends on the volume of the postoperative area and the individual physiological capabilities of the body.
For both pathologies, local treatment with ointments + gels based on analgesics, hormones and chondroprotectors is recommended. No need to ask yourself the question "arthritis and arthrosis, what is the difference to treat ointments" - these drugs are prescribed for both diseases.
Folk remedies for arthritis and arthrosis
As soon as a joint has become inflamed, everyone begins to search for information: arthritis and arthrosis, what is the difference between treatment with folk remedies. Arthritis or arthrosis allows you to include some folk remedies in the treatment regimen. Corn! These healing substances are used only in parallel with complex therapy. They are able to eliminate pain and reduce inflammation. Traditional medicine is powerless to completely eradicate the disease.
- Tincture of propolis: dissolve 50g of propolis in 100ml of vodka, leave to act for a week. The tincture rubs the sore joints 3-5 times a day. The course of treatment until complete recovery.
- Garlic tincture: Pass 5 large heads of garlic through a meat grinder, add a spoonful of honey and 50 ml of pure alcohol. Insist 10 days. Rub the sore spots twice a day. After rubbing, put a bag on top and leave for an hour.
- Caucasian hellebore: a spoonful of hellebore powder + a spoonful of bee honey + a spoonful of mustard powder and melted lard. Mix well and leave in a warm, dark place for 10 days. Then use as an ointment.
- Birch buds: pour 200 g of dry powder of birch buds into 0. 5 liters of boiling water, insist for a day. It is recommended to drink 50 ml once or twice a day before meals.
- Burdock root tincture: crushed root is poured with a liter of vodka, infused for a month. This tincture wipes the joints.
Prevention
Preventive measures are aimed at preserving the cartilage layer as well as the functionality of the joint throughout life. For that, proceed as following :
- Consider a nutritious diet, excluding fried, fatty + peppery foods, as well as salty, alcohol + nicotine.
- Use natural chondroprotectors in the form of jelly and jellies.
- To be constantly examined.
- Avoid intense physical exertion.
- Be careful, excluding joint injuries.
- Do morning exercises, run, swim.
- Perform daily exercises for the joints of the limbs.
- Constantly drink vitamins.
- As a preventive measure, take chondroprotectors, calcium, potassium and other minerals once every six months.
- After a joint sprain or mechanical injury, get checked out by a doctor.
Osteoarthritis and arthritis are related diseases, so everyone should know what arthritis and osteoarthritis are, what is the difference between what to treat. These two pathologies cannot be completely cured, especially osteoarthritis, which leads to immobilization of the joints. But timely treatment will help eliminate disability and live a full life. And we must remember that folk remedies are not the main drugs, but auxiliary drugs, which have their benefits after complex treatment.