Interconnected, sometimes interconnected diseases of the joints - arthritis and osteoarthritis 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 vary, the treatment of osteoarthritis 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 osteoarthritis 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 concerns. Both pathologies provoke inflammation of the joint, disrupt its functioning, as a result of which a person is unable to move normally.
The symptoms of arthritis and osteoarthritis are very similar, but there are also characteristic signs for 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 exchange.
Rarely, rheumatoid arthritis or polyarthritis occurs due to trauma, destroying the integrity of the joints. As the pathology progresses, inflammation of the synovial membrane and fluid develops. Too much lubricant is produced, resulting in swelling of the hands, feet, knee joints and other joints. Changes are noticed in the cartilage tissues - erosion appears on them. As a result of such pathological processes, the bone is exposed.
Reasons for the development of osteoarthritis
This disease is characterized by degenerative and dystrophic changes affecting the cartilage lining the articular surfaces of the bone. The pathology is most often diagnosed in the elderly. The main provocative factor is age-related changes, during which physiological thinning and cartilage consumption occur. But sometimes osteoarthritis or osteoarthritis of the arms or legs affects many young people, whose lifestyle is associated with excessive physical stress on the joints.
Characteristic symptoms
Sometimes distinctive symptoms help to diagnose a certain disease in advance. To distinguish which disease develops in a patient, the sites of disease localization help:
- Osteoarthritis is characterized by inflammation of the large articular joints of the leg, knees, and hip joints. Very rarely, the pathology affects the knuckles. Worse, when violations affect the intervertebral joints.
- In arthritis, various joints become inflamed. Pathological changes can occur in several asymmetric joints at once, which is not observed in osteoarthritis.
The first signs of arthritis and osteoarthritis of the joints are different. If a person develops arthritis, then the pain is mainly concerned at rest, during rest or sleep. After waking up, you feel stiffness and discomfort. Osteoarthritis causes pain during movement, and after rest, the discomfort in the foot disappears.
Another difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis of the knee joint is the appearance of diseased wrist. First-degree arthrosis is characterized by the absence of marked changes, however, as the pathology progresses, the joint deforms and cracks. If arthritis develops, the joints in the legs, the 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 osteoarthritis from ankle arthritis. To do this, the patient must undergo a number of such diagnostic examinations:
- general blood and urine tests;
- biochemical study of plasma;
- rheumatic tests;
- radiograph of the affected joints of the arms and legs;
- Diagnosis of CT or MRI of soft tissues.
medical treatment
To cure both pathologies it is recommended to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They provide first aid for diseased joints, relieving inflammation and pain. With osteoarthritis, effective treatment aims at cartilage regeneration. Chondroprotectors, glauric acid, physiotherapy procedures, adjuvant 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, drug treatment, antibiotic therapy is used. If the pathology is caused by immune disorders, hormonal and cytostatic drugs are prescribed.
The main contraindications for acute phase arthritis are massage and physiotherapy.
Home therapy
Popular methods for treating arthritis and osteoarthritis include the use of herbs, egg shells, propolis, garlic compresses, decoction of laurel leaves. Sometimes traditional medicine suggests the use of herbs, the therapeutic effect of which is more dangerous and more toxic than some medicines. All prescriptions and their ingredients should be discussed with your doctor. Comprehensive treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis should aim to prevent inflammatory complications and alleviate the patient's condition.
What is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis?
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:
| mark | Arthritis | arthrosis |
|---|---|---|
| soreness | Acute, aching, independent of the nature of movements | Dull, penetrating, aggravated by movement |
| Morning stiffness | Expressed | Sometimes it bothers, but lasts no more than 30-40 minutes. |
| Redness and fever | there are | SOMETIMES |
| bounce | yes | Rarely |
| Jump, clicks | not | there are |
| Deformation | In advanced cases | yes |
| Restriction of mobility | yes | yes |