Related, sometimes interrelated diseases of the joints - 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 these pathologies differ, the treatment of arthrosis and arthritis is also not the same. The use of alternative therapy for such diseases is not only useless, but also dangerous.
Comparative characteristics
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 provoke inflammation of the joint, disrupt its functioning, as a result of which a person is not able to move normally.
The symptoms of arthritis and arthrosis are very similar, but there are also signs characteristic of each disease.
What causes arthritis?
The main causes of joint disease:
- pathological disorders in the body;
- infectious or autoimmune disease;
- complications after past infections;
- metabolic or metabolic changes.
Rarely, rheumatoid arthritis or polyarthritis occurs due to trauma, destruction of the integrity of the joints. With the progression of the pathology, inflammation of the synovial membrane 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 cartilaginous tissues - erosion appears on them. As a result of such pathological processes, the bone is exposed.
Reasons for the development of arthrosis
This disease is characterized by degenerative and dystrophic changes affecting the cartilage lining the articular surfaces of the bone. Pathology is more often diagnosed in older people. The main provoking factor is age-related changes, during which physiological thinning and wear of cartilage occurs. 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 distinctive symptoms help to pre-diagnose a particular disease. To distinguish which disease develops in a patient, the places of localization of diseases help:
- Osteoarthritis is characterized by inflammation of the large articular joints of the foot, knees, and hip joint. Much less often, the pathology affects the joints of the fingers. Worse, when violations affect the intervertebral joints.
- In arthritis, different joints become inflamed. Pathological changes can occur in several asymmetrical joints at once, which is not observed in arthrosis.
The first signs of arthritis and arthrosis of the joints are different. If a person develops arthritis, then the pain is mainly disturbed at rest, during rest or sleep. After waking up, stiffness and discomfort are felt. Arthrosis causes pain when moving, and after rest, discomfort in the legs disappears.
Another difference between arthritis and arthrosis of the knee joint is the appearance of the diseased joint. Arthrosis of the 1st degree is characterized by the absence of pronounced changes, however, as the pathology progresses, the joint deforms and crackles. If arthritis develops, the joints on the legs, feet immediately become swollen, hot. The patient's general well-being is disturbed, he loses weight, his body temperature rises.
Differential Diagnosis
The choice of medications 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 a number of such diagnostic examinations:
- general blood and urine tests;
- biochemical study of plasma;
- rheumatic tests;
- radiography of the affected joints of the arms and legs;
- CT or MRI diagnostics of soft tissues.
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 is aimed at cartilage regeneration. Chondroprotectors, glauric acid, physiotherapy procedures, auxiliary treatment with folk remedies are used.
When diagnosing arthritis, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of inflammation and eliminate pain. With the infectious nature of the disease, treatment with medications, antibiotic therapy is used. If the pathology is caused by immune disorders, hormonal drugs and cytostatics are prescribed.
The main contraindications for arthritis of the acute stage 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 suggests using herbs, the therapeutic effect of which is more dangerous and more toxic than some medicines. All prescriptions and their ingredients must be agreed with the doctor. Comprehensive treatment of arthritis and arthrosis should be aimed at stopping inflammatory complications and alleviating the patient's condition.
What is the difference between arthritis and arthrosis?
It is difficult to determine which disease is worse. Both pathologies have similar and distinctive features. The table shows the characteristic features of each disease:
| sign | Arthritis | Arthrosis |
|---|---|---|
| Soreness | Acute, aching, independent of the nature of the movements | Dull, penetrating, aggravated by movement |
| Stiffness in the morning | Expressed | Sometimes it bothers, but lasts no more than 30-40 minutes. |
| Redness and fever | There is | Sometimes |
| puffiness | Yes | Rarely |
| Crunch, clicks | Not | There is |
| Deformation | In advanced cases | Yes |
| Mobility restriction | Yes | Yes |