Arthritis and osteoarthritis are two pathologies that affect the musculoskeletal system, or the joints. The etiology and pathogenesis of these diseases are different, but the final result is the same: damage to the joints (cartilage 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, 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 total or partial deformation of all the joint components with limitation of the biomechanics of the organ. In the exclusion of these pathologies plus the implementation of correct prevention, it is necessary to know everything about arthritis and osteoarthritis, what is the difference compared to cure.
Specificity, difference and causes
The difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is as follows: arthritis can be eliminated with drugs and osteoarthritis with drugs plus surgery and only after the root cause has been eliminated, such as concomitant diseases, metabolic disorders or injuries . Joint inflammation or arthritis can occur after mechanical injuries, long walks, or vertical loads. The process involves any joint (upper and lower extremities plus all the joints that make up the chest and spine) with a single or paired injury. 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 high-quality treatment, the inflammation is eliminated and the cartilage tissue is gradually restored.
Destructive pathology of the joints or arthrosis can be stopped only after treatment of the underlying disease or correction of metabolism or hormonal composition. The disease consists of partial or complete abrasion of the cartilage plaque. The exposed bone is covered with osteophytes, which create unbearable pain during movement. In addition, the joint loses its biomechanical capacity, this is often 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 motion has been disturbed due to an accident or disease infectious-inflammatory), and with arthrosis, the physiological ability to move is partially restored in first degree injuries and in an advanced stage - only surgically.
Causes leading to the development of arthritis and osteoarthritis:
- Arthritis is caused by: mechanical injuries (bruises, blows, open and closed type fractures with or without the involvement of a microbial infection), constant physical activity (running, walking, jumping, lifting weights) and physicochemical factors (an acute drop in temperature with hypothermia or overheating of the joints). Allergies and poisoning are also included in the group of causes that cause the 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.
- Osteoarthritis has a wide range of causes, namely: hereditary diseases of the connective tissue, an increased background of allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases, a rheumatic component, metabolic disorders, diabetes mellitus, thyrotoxicosis, chronic diseases of the liver and kidneys, 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 leads to a destructive process in the bone tissue and cartilage plaques. 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 osteoarthritis are located, 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!
Joint Disease Symptoms
Clinical symptoms: what is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis
| Arthritis | Arthrosis |
| Inflammation of the joint with its local redness + edematous increase in size. | 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 subsides with a certain posture. |
| Temporary restriction of movement (complete or partial immobilization). | Permanent restriction on circulation. In addition: savings or facilitation arrangements 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 pinching of the nerves, the body temperature rises to 37-38 degrees, especially at night. |
| Pain radiated to nearby organs and systems, depending on the location | Characterized by the irradiation of pain. |
| With a microbial infection, an increase in body temperature up to 38-39 degrees is observed. | Infectious agents rarely combine. |
| The change of weather 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. |
Attention! When the first symptoms of inflammation appear in the joints of the fingers, it is not necessary 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 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 exertion that does not go away after a rest night. 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 are restored after rehabilitation. In the case of osteoarthritis, depending on the degree of damage, the biomechanics is subject to partial restoration only after a surgical intervention with correction of the joint structure.
These conditions affect all joints, including the toe joints. Arthritis and osteoarthritis what is the difference between toes and fingers? The fingers of the lower limbs undergo the same changes as the hands: inflammation, swelling and pain. In osteoarthritis, the joints undergo destruction and deformation. The anatomical shape changes, when you move you feel a sharp or aching pain. It is difficult to step on, after a long walk, the pain does not stop. It subsides only after injecting an analgesic.
Similar and different facts
Similarities of joint pathologies:
- Source of pathology (joints).
- Symptoms with a clinical picture.
- Diagnostic studies.
- Preventive actions.
- Recovery period.
- Drug therapy, physical therapy and physiotherapy.
- Forecast.
Distinctive factors:
| Arthritis | Arthrosis |
| It has an acute and chronic course. | Chronic degenerative character. |
| A joint hurts. | The joints are affected in pairs or systemically. |
| The pain syndrome disappears completely after medical therapy and rehabilitation. | The pain will always be present, it only subsides with a certain position of the body and the administration of strong analgesics. |
| Both adults and children get sick. | The pathology is typical of the elderly or patients with chronic diseases that manifest themselves with hormonal disorders or with alterations in metabolism. |
| Pathology is most 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 concomitant chronic diseases. |
| Temporary restriction of movement. | Permanent limitation of joint biomechanics. |
| The disease has a certain etiology - trauma or stress. There is rarely any intoxication or allergy of the body. | Age-related changes or chronic diseases. |
| 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, it is necessary to contact a traumatologist, a rheumatologist (if the pathology is rheumatoid in nature) or a surgeon. Before consulting such doctors, it is necessary to be examined by the attending physician at the clinic of the place of residence, carry out laboratory tests (general and biochemical), perform X-rays in three projections, MRI and computed tomography. After that, request further consultation by specialists in pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.
Medical tactics
Having found some symptoms in themselves or having an already established diagnosis in their hands, all patients look for information: "Treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis with drugs". 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 begins after a thorough instrumental and laboratory examination. It depends on the form and stage of the pathology, so the method of treatment is chosen individually, namely:
- pain relieving drugs cider, up to drugs of the narcotic group, depending on the intensity of the pain;
- non-steroidal 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 and physical 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 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. 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 the sphingolipids of nerve fibers, it also increases the metabolism level of the musculoskeletal system, 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:
- powerful analgesics for pain relief;
- corticosteroid drugs;
- 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 increases the substance that replaces 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, a local treatment with ointments + gels based on painkillers, hormones and chondroprotectors is recommended. There is no need to ask the question "arthritis and osteoarthritis, what is the difference from the treatment of ointments": these drugs are prescribed for both diseases.
Folk remedies for arthritis and osteoarthritis
As soon as any joint has become inflamed, everyone begins to search for information: arthritis and arthrosis, what is the difference between treatment with folk remedies. Arthritis or osteoarthritis allows you to include some folk remedies in the treatment 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 unable to completely eradicate the disease.
- Propolis tincture: dissolve 50 g of propolis in 100 ml of vodka, leave on for a week. Tincture rubs sore joints 3-5 times a day. The course of treatment until complete recovery.
- Garlic tincture: Pass 5 heads of coarse garlic in a meat grinder, add a tablespoon of honey and 50 ml of pure alcohol. Insist for 10 days. Rub sore spots 2 times a day. After rubbing, put a bag on top, leaving it for an hour.
- Caucasian hellebore: a tablespoon of hellebore powder + a tablespoon of bee honey + a tablespoon of mustard powder and melted lard. Mix thoroughly 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 - 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 the functionality of the joint for life. To do this, do the following:
- Consider a nutritious diet, excluding fried, fatty + peppery, as well as salty, alcohol + nicotine foods.
- Use natural chondroprotectors in the form of jelly and jellies.
- Constantly being scrutinized.
- 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.
- For preventive purposes, take chondroprotectors, calcium, potassium and other minerals once every six months.
- After a sprained joint or mechanical injury, see 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 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 ones, which have their advantages after complex treatment.