Related, sometimes interrelated joint diseases - arthritis and arthrosis have many similarities and differences. But it is possible to determine which disease develops in a person only after a series of diagnostic studies. The causes of this pathology are different, the treatment of arthrosis and arthritis is also not the same. The use of alternative therapies for such diseases is not only useless, but also dangerous.
Comparative features
The development of arthritis and arthrosis occurs under the influence of various factors. But these diseases have one thing in common - they negatively affect the state of human health, causing unpleasant symptoms and discomfort. Both pathologies cause inflammation of the joint, interfering with its function, as a result of which a person is unable to move normally.
The symptoms of arthritis and arthrosis are very similar, but there are also characteristic signs of each disease.
What Causes Arthritis?
The main causes of joint disease:
- pathological disorders in the body;
- infectious or autoimmune diseases;
- complications after past infections;
- metabolic changes or exchanges.
Rarely, rheumatoid arthritis or polyarthritis occurs as a result of trauma, destruction of joint integrity. With the development of pathology, inflammation of the synovial membranes and fluid develops. There is a lot of lubricant produced, resulting in swelling of the hands, feet, knee joints, and other joints. Changes are observed in the cartilaginous tissues - erosions appear on them. As a result of such pathological processes, the bones are exposed.
Causes of the development of arthrosis
The disease is characterized by degenerative and dystrophic changes that affect the cartilage lining the articular surface of the bone. Pathology is more frequently diagnosed in older people. The main provoking factor is age -related changes, in which physiological thinning and cartilage wear and tear occur. But sometimes osteoarthritis or arthrosis of the arms or legs affects very young people whose lifestyle is associated with excessive physical stress on the joints.
Characteristic symptoms
Sometimes the specific symptoms help to diagnose a particular disease. To distinguish which disease is developing in the patient, the localization of the disease helps:
- Osteoarthritis is characterized by inflammation of the large articular joints of the legs, knees, and hip joints. More rarely, the pathology affects the finger joints. Worse, when the violation affects the intervertebral joints.
- In arthritis, different joints become inflamed. Pathological changes can occur in several asymmetrical joints at once, which are not observed in arthrosis.
The first signs of arthritis and arthrosis of the joints are different. If a person suffers from arthritis, then the pain is mainly disturbed during rest, during rest or sleep. After waking up, stiffness and discomfort are felt. Arthrosis causes pain when moving, and after resting, the discomfort in the legs disappears.
Another difference between arthritis and arthrosis of the knee joint is the appearance of the diseased joint. Stage 1 arthrosis is characterized by the absence of significant changes, however, as the pathology progresses, the joints deform and crack. If arthritis develops, the joints in the legs, feet immediately become swollen, hot. The general well -being of the patient is disturbed, he loses weight, his body temperature rises.
Differential diagnosis
The choice of medication for the treatment of joints depends on the type of pathology. Therefore, you need to know how to distinguish arthrosis from arthritis of the ankle joint. To do this, the patient must undergo several diagnostic examinations such as:
- general blood and urine tests;
- plasma biochemical studies;
- rheumatic tests;
- radiography of affected joints of the arms and legs;
- Diagnostic CT or MRI of soft tissue.
medical treatment
To cure both pathologies, it is recommended to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They provide first aid to diseased joints, relieving inflammation and pain. With arthrosis, effective treatment aims at cartilage regeneration. Chondroprotectors, glauric acid, physiotherapy procedures, additional treatment with folk remedies are used.
When diagnosing arthritis, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the inflammation and eliminate the pain. With the infectious nature of the disease, treatment with drugs, antibiotic therapy is used. If the pathology is due to an immune disorder, hormonal and cytostatic medications are prescribed.
The main contraindications for acute stage arthritis are massage and physiotherapy.
Therapy at home
Folk methods for the treatment of arthritis and arthrosis involve the use of herbs, eggshells, propolis, garlic compresses, decoction of bay leaves. Sometimes traditional medicine recommends using herbs, the therapeutic effects of which are more harmful and more toxic than some drugs. All prescriptions and ingredients must be agreed with the doctor. Comprehensive treatment of arthritis and arthrosis should aim to stop inflammatory complications and alleviate the patient’s condition.
What is the difference between arthritis and arthrosis?
It is difficult to determine which disease is more severe. Both pathologies have similar and distinctive features. The table shows the characteristic features of each disease:
| sign | Joint pain | arthrosis |
|---|---|---|
| The pain | Acute, painful, independent of the nature of movement | Dull, penetrating, aggravated by movement |
| Stiffness in the morning | Revealed | Sometimes it is annoying, but lasts no more than 30-40 minutes. |
| Redness and fever | Be found | Sometimes |
| swollen | yes | Rarely |
| Crunch, click | no | Be found |
| Change the shape | In further cases | yes |
| Restrictions on mobility | yes | yes |