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 tendon-muscular corset) with inflammation of the soft tissues, violation of the anatomical structure and physiological destruction.
Separately, these pathologies represent: arthritis is an inflammatory process, with the involvement of a certain group of enzymes, whose objective is to destroy the connective tissue of the joints. Arthrosis is the destruction of joints, that is, irreversible phenomena with complete or partial deformation of all joint components with limitation of the biomechanics of the organ. In excluding these pathologies plus the implementation of adequate prevention, it is necessary to know everything about arthritis and arthrosis, what is the difference between treating.
Specificity, difference and causes
The difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is as follows: arthritis can be eliminated with medication, and osteoarthritis can be eliminated with medication plus surgery and only after eliminating the root cause, such as concomitant illnesses, metabolic disorders, or injuries. Joint inflammation or arthritis can occur after mechanical injury, long walking, or vertical loading. The process involves any joint (upper and lower limbs plus all the joints that make up the chest and spine) with a single or paired injury. 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.
Destructive joint pathology or arthrosis can only be stopped after treating the underlying disease or correcting the 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 excruciating pain when moving. In addition, the joint loses its biomechanical ability, often this is the patient's fault - he tries to spare the diseased joint, which is quickly ankylosed. 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 or infectious-inflammatory disease), and with osteoarthritis, the physiological ability to move is partially restored in first-degree and advanced-stage injuries - only surgically.
Causes that lead to the development of arthritis and osteoarthritis:
- Arthritis is caused by: mechanical injuries (bruises, blows, open and closed fractures with or without involvement of microbial infection), constant physical activity (running, walking, jumping, weight lifting) and physicochemical factors (a strong drop in temperature with hypothermia or overheating of the joints). Allergies and intoxications are also included in the group of causes that cause the disease. In childhood, arthritis results from beriberi and reduced immunity, as well as frequent injuries, especially to the joints of the lower limbs.
- Arthrosis has a wide range of causes, namely: hereditary connective tissue diseases, increased history of allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases, rheumatic component, metabolic disorders, diabetes mellitus, thyrotoxicosis, chronic liver and kidney diseases, as well as changes in hormonal composition of female and male hormones (estrogen and androgen). Sarcoma or carcinoma is one of the malignant neoplasms that lead to a destructive process in bone tissue and cartilage plates. Intoxication of the body with poisons or increased radiation is a clear mechanism for the development of osteoarthritis.
Important! After diagnostic manipulations, it becomes clear where arthritis and osteoarthritis are, what is the difference and how to treat it. Folk remedies can stifle the inflammatory process, but it is impossible to get rid of the disease, so consult a doctor!
Symptoms of joint disease
Clinical symptoms: what is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis
| Arthritis | osteoarthritis |
| Inflammation of the joint with local redness + edematous increase in size. | Inflammatory processes extend not only to the diseased joint area, but also to the surrounding soft tissues, violating the anatomical design of the joints. |
| Pain syndrome: throbbing pain when walking and at rest. | Pain has a varied character: throbbing, sharp and aching. Partially disappears with a certain posture. |
| Temporary restriction of movement (total or partial immobilization). | Permanent restriction of movement. More: saving or facilitating dispositions are characteristic. In the last stage of the disease, the joint is completely paralyzed (it is impossible to bend, 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 compression of the nerves, the body temperature rises to 37-38 degrees, especially at night. |
| Radiating pain to neighboring organs and systems depending on location | Characterized by radiating pain. |
| With a microbial infection, an increase in body temperature of up to 38-39 degrees is observed. | Infectious agents rarely come together. |
| Climate change does not affect the diseased organ. | Painful joints react to weather conditions. |
| The patient has pain in a joint. | With osteoarthritis, several joints or the entire musculoskeletal system can hurt. |
Attention! When the first symptoms of inflammation appear in the joints of the fingers, there is no need to endure pain and wait for joint deformation - this will lead to irreversible processes in the form of anatomical changes and physiological disorders.
To the question: "arthritis and arthrosis, what is the difference in the fingers? ", there is a reliable answer: weakening of the grip of the fingers, decreased sensitivity and unbearable pain during physical exertion that does not go away after a night of rest. Treatment is medical only.
The difference between arthrosis and arthritis of the knee joint is as follows: in arthritis, the pathology is eliminated after a course of treatment according to the therapeutic regimen, and the biomechanics of the joint after rehabilitation is restored. In the case of arthrosis, depending on the degree of damage, the biomechanics are subject to partial restoration only after a surgical operation with correction of the joint structure.
These pathologies affect all joints, including the joints of the toes. Arthritis and osteoarthritis what is the difference between toes and toes? The fingers of the lower extremities undergo the same changes as the hands: inflammation, swelling and pain. In osteoarthritis, the joints suffer destruction and deformation. The anatomical shape changes, when moving, a sharp or painful pain is felt. It's hard to step on, after a long walk, the pain doesn't stop. It disappears only after an injection of a pain reliever.
Similar and different facts
Similarities of joint pathologies:
- Origin of pathology (joints).
- Symptoms with a clinical picture.
- Diagnostic studies.
- Preventive actions.
- Recovery period.
- Drug therapy, exercise therapy and physical therapy.
- Forecast.
Distinctive factors:
| Arthritis | osteoarthritis |
| It has an acute and chronic course. | Chronic degenerative character. |
| A joint hurts. | Joints are affected in pairs or systemically. |
| The pain syndrome completely disappears after medical therapy and rehabilitation. | The pain will always be present, subsides only with a certain position of the body and the administration of strong painkillers. |
| Both adults and children get sick. | The pathology is typical for the elderly or patients with chronic diseases that occur with hormonal disorders or with changes in metabolism. |
| The pathology is most often characteristic of the ankle and elbow joints. | All joints are affected at the same time. |
| It's a separate disease. | It is a consequence or complication of concomitant chronic diseases. |
| Temporary restriction of movement. | Permanent limitation of joint biomechanics. |
| The disease has a certain etiology - trauma or stress. There is rarely intoxication or allergy of the body. | Age-related changes or chronic diseases. |
| Rehabilitation is short without exacerbations. | Rehabilitation is long with exacerbations. |
Patients often wonder: which doctor treats arthritis and osteoarthritis? With such pathologies, you need to contact a traumatologist, a rheumatologist (if the pathology is of a rheumatoid nature) or a surgeon. Before consulting these doctors, you need to be examined by the attending physician at the clinic of the place of residence, have laboratory tests (general and biochemical), take X-rays in three projections, MRI plus CT scan. Then make a referral for further consultation by specialists in pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.
medical tactics
Having found some symptoms themselves or having a diagnosis already established in their hands, all patients seek information: "Treatment of arthritis and arthrosis with drugs". This is the correct tactic, but the treatment should only be prescribed by the treating physician and under his or her strict supervision.
Arthritis - treatment
Therapeutic tactics begin after a thorough instrumental and laboratory examination. It depends on the form and stage of the pathology, therefore, the method of treatment is chosen individually, namely:
- pain-relieving drugs cider, up to drugs from the narcotics group, depending on the intensity of the pain;
- non-steroidal drugs;
- COX1 or COX2 group drugs (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 and exercise therapy.
Reducing physical activity, excluding excessive consumption of salt and pepper, fried and fatty foods from the diet, as well as alcohol + smoking are integral components of therapeutic therapy. In diabetes - strictly follow a diet and take medications that regulate sugar levels.
Important! For the effective treatment of arthritis of any etiology (including the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis), a vitamin drug 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 nervous excitability. Pyridoxine - stimulates sphingolipids in nerve fibers, in addition to increasing the level of metabolism of the musculoskeletal system, improving the metabolism of amino acid components. Cyanocobalamin: acts on brain neurons, improves the production of red blood cells.
Osteoarthritis - treatment
Several points are added to the specified regimen for the treatment of arthritis, namely:
- potent analgesics to relieve pain;
- corticosteroid drugs;
- novocaine blockade;
- intra-articular injections of drugs that restore cartilage tissue;
Surgery is the best treatment option. First of all, this method of treatment eliminates the destructive components of the joint, artificially increases the substance that replaces cartilage. Second, arthroplasty of the diseased joint is performed. The period of rehabilitation after surgery depends on the volume of the postoperative zone and the individual physiological abilities of the body.
For both pathologies, local treatment with ointments + gels based on analgesics, hormones and chondroprotectors is recommended. There's no need to ask yourself "arthritis and osteoarthritis, what's the difference than to treat ointments" - these drugs are prescribed for both diseases.
Folk remedies for arthritis and osteoarthritis
As soon as a joint becomes inflamed, everyone starts looking for information: arthritis and osteoarthritis, what is the difference between treatment with folk remedies. Arthritis or osteoarthritis makes it possible to include some folk remedies in the therapeutic regimen. But! 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.
- Propolis tincture: dissolve 50g of propolis in 100ml of vodka, leave for a week. Tincture rub the painful joints 3-5 times a day. The course of treatment until complete recovery.
- Garlic tincture: Pass 5 heads of large garlic through a meat grinder, add a spoon of honey and 50 ml of pure alcohol. Insist 10 days. Rub the sore spots 2 times a day. After scrubbing, place a bag on top, leaving for an hour.
- Caucasian hellebore: a spoon of hellebore powder + a spoon of bee honey + a spoon of powdered mustard 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 in 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: the crushed root is poured with a liter of vodka, infused for a month. This tincture cleanses the joints.
Prevention
Preventive measures aim to preserve the cartilage layer and joint functionality throughout life. To do this, do the following:
- Consider a nutritious diet, excluding fried, fatty + spicy, as well as salty, alcohol + nicotine.
- Use natural chondroprotectors in the form of jellies and jellies.
- Constantly be scrutinized.
- Avoid heavy physical exertion.
- Be careful excluding joint injuries.
- Do morning exercises, run, swim.
- Perform daily exercises for limb joints.
- Drink vitamins constantly.
- For preventive purposes, take chondroprotectors, calcium, potassium and other minerals once every six months.
- After sprained joints or mechanical injury, it should be examined by a doctor.
Osteoarthritis and arthritis are related diseases, so everyone needs to know what arthritis and osteoarthritis are, what is the difference between what to treat. Both pathologies cannot be completely cured, especially arthrosis, which leads to immobilization of the joints. But, timely treatment will help eliminate the disability and live a full life. And we must remember that folk remedies are not the main drugs, but auxiliaries, which have their advantages after complex treatment.