Arthritis and osteoarthritis are complex diseases that affect the joints.Due to similar symptoms, many people think that these diseases are identical, but this is not the case.Arthritis and osteoarthritis differ in the causes of the disease, the nature of its development, the area of damage and require completely different treatment.
Suppose two people go to the doctor complaining of joint pain.One was diagnosed with arthritis and the other with osteoarthritis.While both patients waited in line, they had time to briefly talk about their health problems.
It turned out that their symptoms are very similar: their joints hurt, they do not bend or bend with full force, they do not give rest either night or day.Even the diagnoses are similar, but they are still different.What is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis, if both diseases affect the joints?
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joint.It is always preceded by damage to the bone or cartilage tissue due to some factor.
The destroyed cells release biologically active substances that trigger an inflammatory reaction.The vessels in the affected area dilate and fill with blood: because of this, immune cells emerge into the joint tissue to combat the damaging factor.
At the same time, the liquid part of the blood leaves the vascular bed and edema is formed, which limits the zone of inflammation.This is how the body protects itself from serious damage caused by bacteria, foreign bodies and chemicals.
After total or partial elimination of the pathogenic agent, the healing mechanism begins.If the damage was minor, normal tissue function is restored.Deep defects heal through a scar, an area of rough connective tissue that does not perform the normal function of an organ.
Arthritis goes through all these stages:
- alteration – damage;
- exudation – formation of edema;
- proliferation - healing.
Reasons
There are many causes of the disease, we list the main ones:
- streptococcal infection (tonsillitis, scarlet fever) often causes a complication - rheumatism;
- aggressive autoantibodies: proteins that the body produces to fight its own tissues;This situation develops when there is an error in the immune defense, so the joints are perceived as a foreign element to the body: rheumatoid arthritis;
- a violation of purine metabolism leads to the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints: gout;
- allergic reactions can affect the joint tissue with the development of an inflammatory reaction: allergic arthritis;
- long-term use of certain medications causes inflammation (isoniazid, D-penicillins, hydralazine, proboinami) - drug-induced arthritis;
- bacteria are introduced through the bloodstream or during surgery: infectious arthritis;
- A viral or bacterial infection from any location can indirectly affect joint tissue;this is reactive arthritis;
- acute injury: recent damage (impact, hematoma, capsule rupture).
Symptoms
The disease is characterized by an acute initial stage, that is, against the background of complete health, a person develops acute pain in the joint.Autoimmune forms are characterized by symmetrical damage to small joints: interphalangeal joints of the fingers, wrists and elbows.
In the vast majority of cases, gout begins with inflammation of the joint between the big toe and the foot.With bacterial and reactive arthritis, large joints are usually affected on one side: knee, hip, sacral (at the junction of the spine with the bones of the pelvis).
Rheumatism develops against a background of fever and general weakness, usually preceded by a sore throat.Severe inflammation of the bones, cartilaginous tissue and synovium may occur with fever, general intoxication: headache, weakness, lack of appetite.
The skin over the joint becomes red and feels warmer to the touch than other areas.Externally it looks swollen and increases in volume.If the injury occurs on only one side, then the difference between the healthy and diseased limb is visible.
Limited movement is associated with swelling and pain.If the joint cavity is slightly inflamed, then it works almost completely.With a pronounced pathological reaction, the entire synovial cavity can be filled with fluid;In this case, mobility is very limited.
Treatment
Treatment is carried out by a general practitioner, rheumatologist or traumatologist, if the cause is mechanical damage.Therapy is aimed at eliminating the provoking factor and stopping inflammation.
For bacterial and reactive arthritis, antibiotics are needed, for autoimmune arthritis, cytostatics or glucocorticoids, for allergic arthritis, glucocorticoids and antihistamines.
The inflammatory fluid is removed with a syringe or special suction during arthroscopy.The joint remains immobilized throughout the entire period of acute inflammation.Subsequently, the patient is shown therapeutic exercises to restore joint mobility.
doctor's advice
According to personal practice and the work experience of colleagues, compresses with gelatin have worked well for joint inflammation of any etiology.They are easy to implement and cheap.You need to fold the gauze in several layers, the length and width should be such that they are sufficient for the sore joint.Dip the folded gauze into hot water, wring it out, and smooth it out.Sprinkle a thin layer of gelatin on top, roll it up so that it stays inside, like in a bag, and doesn't spill out.Place it over the joint, wrap it with a plastic bag on top, and secure it with a bandage and/or adhesive plaster.You can use the compress for up to 3 hours, do it 2 times a day for 2 weeks.Usually, the effect is felt within 4-5 days of use, but therapy must be continued to achieve the desired result;if the course is interrupted, the pain will return.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (otherwise osteoarthritis) is a degenerative disease.It is based on a deterioration in the nutrition of the articular cartilage, a slower recovery and gradual thinning.
Simply put, the cartilage layer is erased faster than it is restored.The bony articular surfaces are exposed.They are not as smooth as cartilage and when they move they rub against each other strongly.The bone plates are partially destroyed and mild chronic inflammation develops.
As the disease progresses, bony spines grow in the joint, a protective reaction of the tissue to constant damage.They prevent the surfaces from sliding against each other and the mobility of the joint is altered.
Osteoarthritis in most people begins to progress after 30 to 40 years, lasts for years, and its symptoms are mild or moderate.
Osteoarthritis of the vertebral joints is commonly called osteochondrosis.
Reasons
There are predisposing factors that provoke the development of pathology at an early age and complicate its course:
- intense physical activity in athletes;
- obesity;
- history of joint injury;
- vascular diseases;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- violation of the normal configuration of the joint, for example, with flat feet;
- prolonged exposure to vibrations;
- in women: hormonal imbalance or menopause.
Symptoms
Large joints are usually affected on one side: knee, hip, sacral.The disease begins unnoticed.At first, the pain is rare and is associated with significant physical activity.
The discomfort disappears the same day or after a few days if the person can rest.As the disease progresses, the intensity of the pain increases and occurs even with normal daily activities.
The mobility of the joint gradually decreases and, as a result of the disease, is completely lost.Movements of the affected limb cause intense pain.Osteoarthritis can worsen depending on the type of arthritis: fluid accumulates in the joint cavity, the skin over it becomes red and warm.Once the inflammatory reaction subsides, the course of the disease returns to its previous course.
Treatment
Treatment of osteoarthritis is carried out by a traumatologist, an orthopedist, and sometimes a surgeon.The therapy is aimed at restoring metabolic processes in cartilage, improving joint nutrition and eliminating the inflammatory reaction.Treatment is lifelong, it can be continuous or cycles of medications.
During the interictal period, chondroprotectors in the form of tablets and ointments, therapeutic exercises and massages are prescribed.In case of exacerbation, chondroprotectors are administered intravenously or intramuscularly along with analgesics and anti-inflammatories.A traumatologist may inject protective medications directly into the joint every few months.
Advanced stages of the disease require surgical intervention, during which the diseased joint is replaced with an artificial one.
Differences between diseases.
| sign | arthritis | osteoarthritis |
| cause of the disease | Inflammation | Degeneration of cartilage tissue. |
| Current | Acute, chronic with exacerbations. | chronic |
| pain | Intense from the beginning, more pronounced in the morning. | At the beginning of the disease it is weak, but gradually increases.Increases at night and after exercise. |
| Movements | It is necessary to "disperse": in the morning, after sleeping, the joints have less mobility. | Mobility decreases gradually, without morning stiffness. |
| Affected joints | The small joints of the hands and feet are affected symmetrically.The big ones suffer from bacterial infection. | One or more large joints on different sides of the body. |
| blood test | Pronounced inflammatory changes in the general blood test, rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, antibodies to pathogens. | No characteristic changes |
| X-ray | Changes in stages, osteoporosis: loss of bone tissue, bone cysts. | Gradual changes, deformation of the joint space, appearance of spines and bony outgrowths. |
| Basic treatment | Anti-inflammatory medications | Chondroprotectors |
A similar feature of both diseases is a progressive course with a gradual loss of mobility.Autoimmune arthritis often manifests itself at a young age, when a person does not yet care about his health.
It should be remembered that any long-lasting joint pain occurs under certain conditions;This is an important reason to consult a doctor.It is important to diagnose the disease in time and begin treatment to stop the development of the pathological process.