Arthritis and osteoarthritis are two pathologies that affect the musculoskeletal system, ie the joints. The etiology and pathogenesis of these diseases are different, but the end result is the same: damage to the joints with inflammation of soft tissues (cartilage tissue, meniscus, intra-articular structure and musculoskeletal corset), anatomical structure and physiological. destroyed.
Separately, these pathologies are represented: arthritis is an inflammatory process involving a certain group of enzymes, the purpose of which is to destroy the connective tissue of the joints. Osteoarthritis is the destruction of joints, ie irreversible events with complete or partial deformation of all articular components by limiting the biomechanics of the body. In the exclusion of these pathologies and the implementation of proper prevention, you need to know everything about arthritis and osteoarthritis, what is the difference from treatment.
Specificity, differences and causes
The difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is that arthritis can be treated with medication, and osteoarthritis can be treated with medication and surgery, and only after the underlying cause, such as concomitant diseases, metabolic disorders, or injuries, has been eliminated. Inflammation of the joints or arthritis can occur after a mechanical injury, long walks or vertical load. The process involves any joint with a single or double lesion (upper and lower extremities plus all the joints that make up the chest and spine). Inflammation involves not only the articular components, but also all layers of surrounding tissue, a fact that depends on the depth of the lesion. Inflammation is eliminated with high-quality treatment, cartilage tissue is gradually restored.
Destructive pathology of joints or osteoarthritis can be stopped only after treatment of the underlying disease or correction of metabolism or hormonal composition. The disease consists of partial or complete erosion of the cartilage plate. The exposed bone is covered with osteophytes and causes unbearable pain when moving. In addition, the joint loses its biomechanical ability, which is often the patient's fault - he tries to protect the joint from ankylosing spondylitis. This fact explains the difference between osteoarthritis and arthritis: arthritis and mobility return to the joint (unless the anatomical structure of the locomotor organ is damaged due to an accident or infectious-inflammatory disease) and osteoarthritis, physiological mobility is partially restored in primary lesions, and in the advanced stage - only surgeryby the way
Causes of arthritis and osteoarthritis:
- Arthritis is caused by: mechanical injuries (bruises, bruises, open and closed fractures with or without microbial infection), constant physical activity (running, walking, jumping, lifting weights) and physicochemical factors (acute hypothermia or overheating)with a drop in temperature). The group of causes of the disease includes allergies and poisoning. Arthritis in childhood is the result of beriberi and decreased immunity, as well as frequent injuries, especially in the joints of the lower extremities.
- The causes of osteoarthritis are wide: hereditary diseases of connective tissue, the background of increased allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases, 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 most malignant neoplasms that causes a destructive process in bone tissue and cartilage plates. Intoxication of the body with toxins or increased radiation is a clear mechanism for the development of osteoarthritis.
It is important! After diagnostic manipulations, it becomes clear where arthritis and osteoarthritis are, what the difference is and how to treat it. Folk remedies are able to suppress the inflammatory process, but it is impossible to get rid of the disease, so consult a doctor!
Symptoms of joint diseases
Clinical symptoms: what is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis
| Arthritis | Arthrosis |
| Inflammation of the joint with local redness + edematous increase in size. | Inflammatory processes spread not only to the diseased joint area, but also to the surrounding soft tissues by disrupting the anatomical design of the joints. |
| Pain syndrome: throbbing pain while walking and resting. | The pain has different characteristics: throbbing, sharp and painful. Partially decreases with a certain posture. |
| Temporary restriction of movement (complete or partial immobilization). | Permanent restriction on movement. Moreover, provisions that are economical or facilitating are typical. In the final stage of the disease, the joint is completely paralyzed (it is impossible to open, bend and rotate the joint). |
| An increase in temperature over the affected joint. | The temperature above the joint is normal (36. 6 degrees). Body temperature rises to 37-38 degrees, especially at night, with infection or destruction associated with nerve compression. |
| Pain that spreads to neighboring organs and systems depending on the location | It is characterized by radiation of pain. |
| With microbial infection, the body temperature rises to 38-39 degrees. | Infectious agents rarely join. |
| Climate change does not affect the patient's body. | Painful joints react to the weather. |
| The patient has pain in one joint. | With osteoarthritis, several joints or the entire system of the musculoskeletal system can be damaged. |
Attention! When the first signs of inflammation appear in the joints of the fingers, it is not necessary to endure the pain and wait for the joint to deform - 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 between the fingers? "after a night's rest. Treatment is only medical.
The difference between osteoarthritis and arthritis of the knee joint is as follows: in arthritis, the pathology is eliminated after a course of treatment in accordance with the therapeutic regimen, and after rehabilitation, the biomechanics of the joint is restored. In the case of osteoarthritis, depending on the degree of damage, biomechanics is only partially restored after surgery by correcting the articular structure.
These pathologies affect all joints, including the joints of the toes. What is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis of the toes? The fingers in the lower extremities undergo the same changes as the hands: inflammation, swelling and pain. In osteoarthritis, the joints are destroyed and deformed. The anatomical shape changes, a sharp or aching pain is felt while moving. It is difficult to take a step, the pain does not stop after a long walk. It decreases only after analgesic injection.
Similar and different facts
Similarities of joint pathologies:
- Source of pathology (joints).
- Symptoms with a clinical picture.
- Diagnostic tests.
- Preventive measures.
- Recovery time.
- Drug therapy, exercise therapy and physiotherapy.
- Forecast.
Distinctive factors:
| Arthritis | Arthrosis |
| It has an acute and chronic course. | Chronic degenerative character. |
| It hurts a joint. | The joints are affected in pairs or systemically. |
| Pain syndrome completely disappears after medical therapy and rehabilitation. | The pain will always be present, only reduced by a certain position of the body and the application of strong analgesics. |
| Both adults and children get sick. | It is characteristic of pathologically elderly people or patients with chronic diseases that occur with hormonal disorders or changes in metabolism. |
| Pathology is more often characteristic of the ankle and elbow joints. | All joints are affected at the same time. |
| This is a separate disease. | This is the result or aggravation of chronic diseases. |
| Temporary restriction of movement. | Permanent limitation of joint biomechanics. |
| There is a specific etiology of the disease - trauma or stress. In rare cases, there is intoxication or allergies. | Age-related changes or chronic diseases. |
| Rehabilitation is short without exacerbation. | Rehabilitation with exacerbation is long. |
Patients often ask themselves: which doctor treats arthritis and osteoarthritis? With such pathologies, you should contact a traumatologist, a rheumatologist (if the pathology is rheumatoid) or a surgeon. Before consulting such physicians, they should be examined by a physician attending a local clinic, and laboratory tests (general and biochemical), X-rays, MRI, and computed tomography of the three prognoses should be performed. Then, ask for additional consultations by specialists in musculoskeletal system pathologies.
Medical tactics
All patients who have some symptoms or already have a diagnosis are looking for information: "Treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis with drugs. " This is the right tactic, but treatment should be prescribed only by the attending physician and under his strict supervision.
Arthritis - treatment
Therapeutic tactics begin 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, ie:
- drugs that relieve pain, depending on the intensity of pain, up to drugs of the drug group;
- non-steroidal drugs;
- COX1 or COX2 drugs (non-selective enzyme inhibitors) are prescribed;
- antispasmodics;
- muscle relaxant;
- chondroprotectors;
- vitamins: B12, B1, B6, A, D, PP;
- antioxidants: vitamin C;
- drugs that increase immunity;
- desensitizers;
- massage and exercise therapy.
Reducing physical activity, eliminating salt and pepper, excessive consumption of fried foods and fatty foods from the diet, as well as alcohol + smoking are part of therapeutic therapy. In diabetes - follow a strict diet and take medications that regulate blood sugar levels.
It is important! Vitamin supplementation is recommended for the effective treatment of arthritis of any etiology (including treatment of rheumatoid arthritis). Contains a certain dose 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 excitement. Pyridoxine - stimulates the sphingolipids of nerve fibers, plus increases the level of metabolism of the musculoskeletal system, improves the metabolism of amino acid components. Cyanocobalamin: affects brain neurons, improves the production of red blood cells.
Osteoarthritis - treatment
Several points are added to the scheme for the treatment of arthritis, namely:
- strong analgesics to relieve pain;
- corticosteroid medications;
- novocaine blockade;
- intraarticular injections of drugs that restore cartilage tissue;
Surgery is the best treatment option. First, this treatment removes the destructive components of the joint, artificially increasing the cartilage-replacing substance. Second, arthroplasty of the diseased joint is performed. The duration of postoperative rehabilitation depends on the size of the postoperative area and the individual physiological capabilities of the body.
For both pathologies, topical treatment with painkillers, ointments + gels based on hormones and chondroprotectors is recommended. There is no need to ask yourself "what is the difference between treating arthritis and osteoarthritis, ointments" - these drugs are prescribed for both diseases.
Folk remedies for arthritis and osteoarthritis
As some joints become inflamed, everyone starts looking for information: what is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis, folk remedies and treatments. Arthritis or osteoarthritis allows some folk remedies to be included in the therapeutic regimen. But! These therapeutic substances are used only in parallel with complex therapy. They are able to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Traditional medicine is incapable of completely eradicating the disease.
- Propolis tincture: Dissolve 50 g of propolis in 100 ml of vodka, leave for a week. Tincture rub aching joints 3-5 times a day. Until the course of treatment is complete recovery.
- Garlic tincture: 5 heads large garlic pass through a meat grinder, add a tablespoon of honey and 50 ml of pure alcohol. Insist 10 days. Rub the painful areas twice a day. After rubbing, put a bag on top and leave for an hour.
- Caucasian kernels: a spoon of locust powder + a spoon of bee honey + a spoon of mustard powder and melted lard. Mix thoroughly and leave in a warm and dark place for 10 days. Then use as an ointment.
- Maple buds: Pour 200 g of dry maple powder in 0. 5 liters of boiling water, insist one day. It is recommended to drink 50 ml once or twice a day before meals.
- Burdock root tincture: crushed carrots pour a liter of vodka, brewed for a month. This tincture wipes the joints.
Prevention
Preventive measures are aimed at maintaining the cartilage layer and joint function throughout life. To do this, do the following:
- Consider a nutritious diet, excluding fried foods, fatty + pepper, as well as salty, alcohol + nicotine.
- Use natural chondroprotectors in the form of jelly and jelly.
- Be checked regularly.
- Avoid heavy physical force.
- Be careful, except for joint injuries.
- Exercise in the morning, run, swim.
- Do daily exercises for the joints of the limbs.
- Take vitamins regularly.
- Take chondroprotectants, calcium, potassium and other minerals once every six months for prophylactic purposes.
- Be examined by a doctor after a missed joint or mechanical injury.
Osteoarthritis and arthritis are related diseases, so everyone should know what arthritis and osteoarthritis are, and what is the difference between what is to be treated. Both pathologies cannot be completely cured, especially osteoarthritis, which causes immobilization of the joints. However, timely treatment will help to eliminate the disability and live a full life. And we must remember that folk remedies are not the main drugs, but adjuvants that have advantages after complex treatment.