Arthritis and osteoarthritis are diseases that not only look 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 is a big difference between them.We will try to bring some clarity to these concepts.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 osteoarthritis
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints.Osteoarthritis is an age-related change in cartilage tissue (cartilage destruction).
Arthritisis a very broad term used to describe different types of conditions that cause joint inflammation.Each type of inflammation has its own name, for example, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis (arthrosis, deforming arthrosis).Arthritis can occur at any age.
Osteoarthritis (osteoarthrosis, osteoarthritis)- one of the most common types of arthritis, which occurs when cartilaginous tissue wears out.Our joints are mobile due to cartilage, its elasticity and smoothness.Its destruction results in direct contact between the bones of the joints, causing pain.Osteoarthritis is an age-related change that occurs in old age.
Furthermore, arthritis and arthrosis differ in:
- Symptoms
- Risk factors.
- Ratings.
- Diagnosis.
- Treatment.
Symptoms
Symptoms of arthritis can also be present in osteoarthritis, but the nature of these symptoms is different.For example, joint pain is present in both cases, but pain with prolonged exertion and stress is common only in osteoarthritis.
Arthritis
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 seen in all types of arthritis:
- Pain.It usually hurts at night and may lessen as the duration of movement increases (for example, when walking during the day).
- Edema and swelling.If you have not had any injuries and when comparing both knees or wrists, one of them appears to be swollen, this could indicate arthritis.
- Sensations of joint displacement.There may be a feeling that the joints are shifting and pushing against each other.
- Fatigue.With any inflammatory disease, the immune system is activated and begins an active fight, which leads to a general weakening 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.
- Redness and rash.They usually occur near inflamed joints.
- Limited range of motion in affected joints.Needless to say, pain makes movement difficult.Performing simple household chores or practicing your favorite hobby becomes difficult due to acute pain in arthritic joints.
Osteoarthritis
Here are the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis:
- Pain.Pain is felt in the specific joint affected by osteoarthritis and varies depending on the degree of damage to the cartilage.The more cartilage is destroyed, the more pain a person will feel.Unlike arthritis, where pain often occurs at night or at rest, pain in osteoarthritis often occurs during the day: when walking, running, etc.
- Decreased mobility.It is especially noticeable after a long period of inactivity, for example after a night's sleep.
- Crunching.When moving with osteoarthritis, you may hear specific sounds (not a light click, but a heavy, harsh sound).This is the result of the breakdown of cartilage, which is designed to provide gentle, painless friction between joints.
- Deformation.With arthrosis (especially in the later stages), various deformations of bones and joints may occur: nodules, growths.There is no swelling, as there is with 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 getting osteoarthritis or other types of arthritis increase tenfold.In this case, osteoarthritis mainly affects the elderly and arthritis can occur at any age.
- Weight.The heavier a person is, the more pressure their joints receive.This increases the chances of developing osteoarthritis and arthritis.
- Wound.The risk of osteoarthritis at a young age increases if you have already suffered injuries to your bones or joints.
- Genetics.If many family members have suffered from osteoarthritis, there is a high probability that you will also encounter this disease.However, your genetics do not increase your chances of getting arthritis.
- Activity.If you are constantly involved in work that places a lot of stress on your bones, joints and cartilage, your chances of developing osteoarthritis increase.
In fact, a research group at the University of Oxford recently discovered a marker in the blood that can identify the risk of developing arthritis before the onset of symptoms, even at an early age (up to 16 years).
Classification
Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis) is the most common type of arthritis and develops due to wear and tear on cartilage and painful friction between joints.
- Rheumatoid arthritis – This type of arthritis usually affects all joints in the body except the lower back.This is an autoimmune disease whose causes are not fully understood.A person can get sick at any age (even young children suffer from the disease).
- Ankylosing spondylitis mainly affects the spine.It develops in the vertebrae and discs.This is an autoimmune disease.
- Cervical arthritis occurs for several reasons, but the main one is age.Around 85% of people over 80 suffer from this disease.
- Gout is a rare type of arthritis that causes inflammation of several joints.This disease occurs due to increased levels 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 the tendons and cartilage is observed;the eyes, lungs and even the aorta can also suffer.
- Reactive arthritis occurs as the body's response to an attack by bacteria and infections.The causative agents are intestinal and genitourinary infections.The disease causes swelling of the fingers and toes and lower back pain.
- Juvenile arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects children under 16 years of age.It leads to the destruction of bones and joints, problems with development and growth.
- Post-traumatic arthritis - occurs as a result of previous injuries (fractures, cracks, sprains).
Osteoarthritis
There are the following types of arthrosis:
- Cervical osteoarthritis affects the cervical vertebrae, occurs in old age and can be caused by stress and chronic neck diseases.Symptoms include neck pain and muscle spasms.
- Facet syndrome is more common among the elderly and causes back pain, especially when the person is in an upright position.Poor posture can cause facet syndrome.
- Coxarthrosis is osteoarthritis of the hip joint.The hip joint is a hinged joint and 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 osteoarthritis affects the lower back.It can be caused by scoliosis and abdominal obesity (accumulation of fatty tissue in the upper part of the trunk).
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of both joint diseases includes:
- Poll.When the pain occurred, in which joint, nature and duration of the pain, occupation, in what cases the pain intensifies, past infectious diseases, injuries, etc.
- Visual inspection and palpation.Inspection for visible signs: swelling, redness, nodules.
- Analyzes.
- X-ray and MRI.
What is the difference between diagnosing arthritis and osteoarthritis?Because arthritis is an inflammatory disease, the inflammation will be visible on a blood test.The tests for osteoarthritis are clear;X-rays or MRI are usually used for diagnosis.
Treatment
Arthritis
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.
- Medication.Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis may require a combination of different medications.In addition to pain relievers, your doctor may also prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, and hormonal medications to reduce pain.
- Lifestyle adjustments – diet and exercise to relieve pressure on joints.It is necessary to consume foods rich in calcium (to stimulate bone strength) and rich in proteins (to build strong muscles).
- Surgical intervention.Surgeries range from minor procedures to major surgeries (joint replacement).
Osteoarthritis
The main objective of osteoarthritis treatment is to restore damaged cartilage.Treatment includes:
- Tablet medicines are chondroprotectors.
- Injections - corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid to reduce inflammation and increase mobility.
- Massage therapy.The following essential oils are especially effective: orange, ginger, lavender, rosemary, sandalwood and eucalyptus.
- Therapeutic gymnastics.
- Surgery – Damaged joints can be replaced with artificial joints to reduce pain and improve mobility.
- Lifestyle adjustments – diet and exercise to relieve pressure on joints.It is necessary to consume foods rich in calcium (to stimulate bone strength) and rich in proteins (to build strong muscles).
Conclusions
- Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints.Osteoarthritis is an age-related change in cartilage tissue (cartilage destruction).
- Osteoarthritis occurs in elderly people (50+) (it can also occur at a young age, but very rarely and after a serious injury).Arthritis can occur at any age (even in children).
- In osteoarthritis, joints hurt during physical activity.In arthritis, the pain occurs at night.
- With arthrosis, the pain increases during movement, with arthritis it decreases.
- Osteoarthritis most often affects the knee and hip joints.Arthritis can occur in any joint;several distant joints or just one may hurt.
- Arthritis, as an inflammatory disease, can be diagnosed through a blood test, osteoarthritis cannot.