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 (cartilage, meniscus, intra-articular structure and tendon-muscle corset) with soft tissue inflammation, violation of the anatomical structure and physiology destruction.
Separately, these pathologies represent: Arthritis is an inflammatory process in which a certain group of enzymes is involved, the purpose of which is to destroy the connective tissue of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the destruction of the joints, that is, irreversible phenomena with complete or partial deformation of all joint components with a limitation in the biomechanics of the organ. In addition to excluding these pathologies and carrying out adequate prevention, you need to know everything about arthritis and arthrosis, which is the difference with treatment.
Specificity, difference and causes
The difference between osteoarthritis and arthrosis is as follows: osteoarthritis can be eliminated with medication, osteoarthritis with medication plus surgery and only after elimination of the main cause such as concomitant diseases, metabolic disorders or injuries. Joint inflammation or arthritis can occur after mechanical injury, long periods of walking, or vertical loading. The process involves each joint (upper and lower extremities, and all joints that make up the chest and spine) with a single or paired lesion. Inflammation attracts not only the joint components, but also all layers of the surrounding tissues, this fact depends on the depth of the lesion. With quality treatment, inflammation is eliminated and cartilage tissue is gradually restored.
Destructive pathology of the joints or arthrosis can only be stopped after treatment of the underlying disease or correction of metabolism or hormonal composition. The disease consists in a partial or complete abrasion of the cartilage plate. The exposed bone is covered with osteophytes, which cause excruciating pain when moved. In addition, the joint loses its biomechanical capabilities, this is often the patient's fault - he tries to spare the diseased joint, which quickly ankyloses. This fact explains the difference between osteoarthritis and arthritis: with osteoarthritis, the mobility of the joint returns (unless the anatomical structure of the musculoskeletal organ was disturbed by an accident or an infectious-inflammatory disease), and with osteoarthritis, physiological mobility with lesions is restoredfirst degree partially and in the advanced stage only surgically restored.
Causes that lead to the development of arthritis and arthrosis:
- Arthritis is caused by: mechanical injuries (bruise, blows, fractures of open and closed nature with or without the involvement of microbial infection), constant physical activity (running, walking, jumping, weight lifting) and physicochemical factors (a sharp drop in temperature with hypothermia oroverheating of the joints). Allergies and poisoning also belong to the group of disease-causing causes. 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 multiple causes, namely: hereditary connective tissue diseases, increased background of allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases, rheumatic component, metabolic disorders, diabetes mellitus, thyrotoxicosis, chronic liver and kidney diseases, as well as changes in the 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 cartilaginous plates. Poisoning of the body with toxins or increased radiation is a clear mechanism for the development of osteoarthritis.
Important! After diagnostic manipulations, it becomes clear where arthritis and arthrosis are, what the difference is and how to treat. Folk remedies can drown out the inflammatory process, but getting rid of the disease is impossible, so consult a doctor!
Symptoms of joint diseases
Clinical Symptoms: What's the Difference Between Arthritis and Osteoarthritis?
| arthritis | arthrosis |
| Inflammation of the joint with local redness + edematous increase in size. | Inflammatory processes extend not only to the diseased area of \u200b\u200bthe joint, but also to the surrounding soft tissues with a violation of the anatomical design of the joints. |
| Pain Syndrome: Throbbing pain when walking and at rest. | The pain has a varied character: throbbing, sharp and aching. Partially decreases with a certain posture. |
| Temporary restriction of movement (complete or partial immobilization). | Permanent restriction of movement. Plus: Gentle or facilitating provisions are characteristic. In the last stage of the disease, the joint is completely paralyzed (it is impossible to relax, bend and rotate the joint). |
| A rise in temperature over the affected joint. | The temperature above the joint is normal (36. 6 degrees). When destroyed by infection or pinched nerves, the body temperature rises to 37-38 degrees, especially at night. |
| Depending on the location, pain radiating to neighboring organs and systems | Characterized by irradiation of pain. |
| With a microbial infection, an increased body temperature of up to 38-39 degrees is observed. | Infectious agents rarely join. |
| The change in weather does not affect the diseased organ. | Painful joints react to weather conditions. |
| The patient has pain in a joint. | Osteoarthritis can cause pain in several joints or in the entire musculoskeletal system. |
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 leads to irreversible processes in the form of anatomical changes and physiological disorders.
When asked: "Arthritis and osteoarthritis, what is the difference in the fingers? " Is there a reliable answer: a weakening of the grip of the fingers, a decrease in their sensitivity and unbearable pain during physical exertion that does not go away after a night's rest. Treatment is exclusively medical.
The difference between arthrosis and arthritis of the knee joint is as follows: with arthritis, after treatment according to the therapeutic scheme, the pathology is eliminated, and the biomechanics of the joint are restored after rehabilitation. With arthrosis, depending on the degree of damage, biomechanics undergo partial restoration only after surgical intervention with correction of the structure of the joint.
These pathologies affect all joints, including the toe joints. Arthritis and osteoarthritis, what is the difference between toes and fingers? The fingers on the lower extremities are subject to the same changes as on the hands: inflammation, swelling and pain. In osteoarthritis, the joints are destroyed and deformed. The anatomical shape changes, a sharp or aching pain is felt when moving. It is difficult to step on it, after a long walk the pain does not stop. It only subsides after the injection of an analgesic.
Similar and different facts
Similarities of common pathologies:
- Source of pathology (joints).
- Symptoms with a clinical picture.
- diagnostic studies.
- preventive measures.
- recovery period.
- Drug therapy, exercise therapy and physiotherapy.
- Forecast.
Distinctive features:
| arthritis | arthrosis |
| It has an acute and a chronic course. | Chronic degenerative character. |
| A joint hurts. | The joints are affected in pairs or systemically. |
| The pain syndrome completely disappears after drug therapy and rehabilitation. | The pain will always be there and will only subside with a certain posture and the administration of strong analgesics. |
| Both adults and children get sick. | The pathology is typical for elderly people or patients with chronic diseases that occur with hormonal disorders or changes in metabolism. |
| Pathology is more often characteristic of the ankle and elbow joints. | All joints are affected at the same time. |
| It's a disease of its own. | It is a consequence or complication of chronic comorbidities. |
| Temporary restriction of movement. | Permanent restriction of joint biomechanics. |
| The disease has a specific etiology - trauma or stress. Rarely does poisoning or an allergy of the body occur. | Age-related changes or chronic diseases. |
| Rehabilitation is short with no exacerbations. | Rehabilitation is long with exacerbations. |
Patients often ask themselves the question: which doctor treats arthritis and arthrosis? With such pathologies, you need to contact a traumatologist, a rheumatologist (if the pathology is rheumatic in nature) or a surgeon. Before contacting such doctors, you need to be examined by the attending physician in the clinic at the place of residence, conduct laboratory tests (general and biochemical), take x-rays in three projections, MRI plus computed tomography. Next, take a referral for further consultation from specialists in pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.
Medical Tactics
All patients who have found some symptoms in themselves or who have an already confirmed diagnosis in their hands are looking for information: "Arthritis and arthrosis treatment with medication". This is the right tactic, but treatment should be prescribed only by the attending physician and under his strict supervision.
Arthritis - Treatment
Therapeutic tactics begin after a thorough instrument and laboratory study. It depends on the form and stage of the pathology, so the method of treatment is chosen individually, namely:
- analgesic drugs from cider to drugs of the narcotic group, depending on the intensity of pain;
- non-steroidal drugs;
- Drugs of the COX1 or COX2 group (nonselective 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.
Reduction of physical activity, exclusion of excessive consumption of salt and pepper, fried and fatty foods, alcohol + smoking are integral parts of therapeutic therapy. With 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 specific 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 the sphingolipids of nerve fibers and increases the metabolism of the musculoskeletal system, improving the metabolism of amino acid components. Cyanocobalamin: acts on brain neurons, improves red blood cell production.
Osteoarthritis - treatment
Several points are added to the established scheme for the treatment of arthritis, namely:
- powerful analgesics to relieve pain;
- corticosteroid medications;
- novocaine blockade;
- intra-articular injections of drugs that restore cartilage tissue;
Surgery is the best treatment option. First, this method of treatment eliminates the destructive components of the joint, artificially increasing the substance that replaces the cartilage. Second, an arthroplasty of the diseased joint is performed. The rehabilitation period after the operation depends on the volume of the postoperative zone and the individual physiological capabilities of the body.
For both pathologies, local treatment with ointments + gels based on painkillers, hormones and chondroprotectors is recommended. You do not need to ask yourself the question "Arthritis and arthrosis, what is the difference from the treatment of ointments" - these drugs are prescribed for both diseases.
Folk remedies for arthritis and arthrosis
As soon as a joint becomes inflamed, everyone begins to look 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 therapeutic scheme. 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 50 g of propolis in 100 ml of vodka and leave for a week. Rub tincture on sore joints 3-5 times a day. The course of treatment until full recovery.
- Garlic tincture: pass 5 large cloves of garlic through a meat grinder, add a spoonful of honey and 50 ml of pure alcohol. Insist 10 days. Rub sore spots 2 times 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 thoroughly and leave in a warm and 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 and 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, which is infused for a month. This tincture wipes the joints.
prevention
Preventive measures are aimed at preserving the cartilage layer and the functionality of the joint for life. To do this, proceed as follows:
- Consider a nutritious diet, excluding fried foods, fatty + peppery and salty, alcohol + nicotine.
- Use natural chondroprotectors in the form of jelly and jellies.
- To be constantly examined.
- Avoid heavy physical exertion.
- Be careful except for joint injuries.
- Do morning exercises, run, swim.
- Perform daily exercises for the joints of the limbs.
- Drink vitamins constantly.
- For prevention, take chondroprotectors, calcium, potassium and other minerals once every six months.
- After sprained joints or mechanical injuries, have a doctor evaluate you.
Osteoarthritis and arthritis are related diseases, so everyone needs to know what arthritis and osteoarthritis are and what is the difference between what to treat. Both pathologies cannot be completely cured, especially arthrosis, which leads to immobility of the joints. However, timely treatment will help to get rid of disabilities and lead a full life. And we must remember that folk remedies are not the main ones, but auxiliary ones, which after complex treatment have their advantages.