Arthritis and arthrosis are diseases that not only sound very similar, but also affect the body in the same way: they affect bones, joints, ligaments and cartilage.In both cases, there are symptoms like joint pain and difficulty in walking.However, there is a quite big difference between them.We will try to bring some clarity to these concepts.We will tell how arthritis and arthrosis manifest, what is the difference between these diseases and how they are treated.
Difference between arthritis and arthrosis
Arthritis is inflammation of joints.Arthrosis is age-related changes in cartilage tissue (destruction of cartilage).
ArthritisIt is a very broad term that is used to describe a variety of conditions that cause inflammation in the joints.Each type of inflammation has its own name, for example, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis (arthrosis, arthrosis deformans).Arthritis can occur at any age.
Arthrosis (osteoarthrosis, osteoarthritis)- One of the most common types of arthritis, which occurs when cartilage tissue wears down.Our joints are mobile because of cartilage, its elasticity and lubrication.Its destruction leads to direct contact between the bones of the joints, causing pain.Arthrosis is an age-related change that occurs in old age.
In addition, there is a difference between arthritis and arthrosis:
- symptoms
- risk factor.
- Classification.
- Diagnosis.
- Treatment.
symptoms
Arthritis symptoms may also be present with arthrosis, but the nature of these symptoms varies.For example, joint pain is present in both cases, but pain with prolonged strain and stress is common only with arthrosis.
Arthritis
It is important to understand that the symptoms of one type of arthritis are sometimes completely different from those of another type.But here are some symptoms that are commonly seen in all types of arthritis:
- Pain.This pain usually occurs at night and may subside as the duration of walking increases (for example, when walking during the day).
- Edema and swelling.If you have no injuries and compare both knees or wrists, one of them appears swollen, this may be a sign of arthritis.
- Sensation of joint displacement.It may feel as if the joints are moving and putting pressure on each other.
- Tiredness.With any inflammatory disease, the immune system becomes activated and begins an active fight, this leads to a general weakening of the body and fatigue.
- Fever and loss of appetite.Inflammation not only reduces energy levels, as mentioned earlier, but can also cause fever and loss of appetite.
- Redness and skin rash.Usually occurs near swollen joints.
- Limited range of motion in the affected joints.Needless to say, pain makes any activity difficult.Acute pain in arthritic joints makes it difficult to do simple household chores or engage in your favorite hobbies.
arthrosis
Here are the most common symptoms of arthrosis:
- Pain.Pain is felt in the specific joint affected by arthrosis and varies depending on the degree of damage to the cartilage.The more cartilage is destroyed, the more pain the person will experience.Unlike arthritis, where pain often occurs at night or while resting, pain in arthrosis often occurs during the day: while walking, running, etc.Even touching the skin over the painful joint can cause pain.
- Decrease in mobility.This is particularly noticeable after long periods of inactivity, for example after a night's sleep.
- Crunch.When walking with arthrosis, you can hear characteristic sounds (not a light clicking sound, but a heavy and rough sound).This results from the breakdown of cartilage, which is designed to provide smooth, painless friction between joints.
- Distortion.With arthrosis (especially in the later stages), various deformities of bones and joints may occur: nodules, growths.There is no swelling like arthritis.
risk factor
Some factors may be the same for both diseases, while others differ.
- age.One of the most common risk factors.As you age, your chances of developing arthrosis or other types of arthritis increase tenfold.In this case, arthrosis mainly affects older people, and arthritis can occur at any age.
- weight.The heavier a person is, the more pressure it puts on his joints.This increases the possibility of arthrosis and arthritis.
- Injury.If you have previously suffered injury to your bones or joints, your risk of developing arthrosis increases at an early age.
- Genetics.If several family members suffer from arthrosis, there is a high probability that you will also develop the disease.However, your genetics do not increase your chance of getting arthritis.
- action.If you are constantly engaged in work that requires you to put a lot of stress on your bones, joints and cartilage, your chances of developing arthrosis increase.
By the way, a research group at the University of Oxford recently discovered a marker in the blood that can identify the risk of developing arthritis before the onset of symptoms even at a young age (up to 16 years).
classification
Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis) is the most common type of arthritis and develops due to the wear and tear of cartilage and painful friction between joints.
- Rheumatoid arthritis – This type of arthritis usually affects all the joints of the body except the lower back.It is an autoimmune disease, the causes of which are not fully understood.Anyone can get sick at any age (even small children suffer from this disease).
- Ankylosing spondylitis mainly affects the spinal cord.It develops into the vertebrae and discs.It is an autoimmune disease.
- Cervical arthritis occurs due to various reasons, but the main reason is age.About 85% of people above 80 years of age suffer from this disease.
- Gout is a rare type of arthritis that causes inflammation of various joints.This disease occurs due to increased level of uric acid in the blood.Arthritis is now rare.
- Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis characterized by inflammation of the skin and joints.With this disease, inflammation of tendons and cartilage is observed;The eyes, lungs and even the aorta can suffer.
- Reactive arthritis occurs as the body responds to an attack by bacteria and infection.The causative agents are intestinal and genital infections.Due to this disease, there is swelling in fingers and toes and pain in the lower back.
- Juvenile arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects children under the age of 16.This leads to destruction of bones and joints, problems with growth and development.
- Post-traumatic arthritis – occurs as a result of previous injuries (fractures, cracks, sprains).
arthrosis
The following types of arthrosis exist:
- Cervical arthrosis affects the cervical vertebrae, occurs in old age, and can be caused by stress and chronic neck diseases.Symptoms include neck pain and muscle cramps.
- Facet syndrome is most common in older adults and causes back pain, especially when the person is in an upright position.Poor posture can lead to facet syndrome.
- Coxarthrosis is arthrosis of the hip joint.The hip joint is a hinge joint and one of the strongest in the body.However, it worsens with aging, and coxarthrosis is also often found in athletes and overweight people.
- Lumbar arthrosis affects the lower back.This may be caused by scoliosis and abdominal obesity (accumulation of fatty tissue in the upper torso).
diagnosis
Diagnosis of both joint diseases includes:
- Voting.When did the pain occur, in which joint, the nature and duration of the pain, occupation, in what cases the pain intensified, previous infectious diseases, injuries, etc.
- Visual inspection and touch.Observe for visible signs: swelling, redness, lumps.
- Analyzes.
- X-ray and MRI.
What is the difference in diagnosing arthritis and arthrosis?Because arthritis is an inflammatory disease, inflammation will show up in blood tests.The tests for arthrosis are clear;X-rays or MRI are usually used for diagnosis.
treatment
Arthritis
There are different treatment options depending on the severity of the disease.The main goal of arthritis treatment is to eliminate the cause of joint inflammation.
- Medicines.Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis may require a combination of different medications.In addition to analgesics, your doctor may also prescribe a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, antibiotics, and hormonal medications to reduce pain.
- Lifestyle adjustments – diet and exercise to reduce pressure on the joints.It is essential to consume foods rich in calcium (for strong bones) and rich in protein (for building strong muscles).
- Surgical intervention.Surgeries range from minor procedures to major surgery (joint replacement).
arthrosis
The main goal of treating arthrosis is to restore damaged cartilage.Treatment includes:
- The drugs in tablets are chondroprotectors.
- Injections – corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid to reduce inflammation and increase mobility.
- massage Therapy.The following essential oils are particularly effective: orange, ginger, lavender, rosemary, sandalwood and eucalyptus.
- therapeutic gymnastics.
- Surgery – Damaged joints can be replaced with artificial joints to reduce pain and improve mobility.
- Lifestyle adjustments – diet and exercise to reduce pressure on the joints.It is essential to consume foods rich in calcium (for strong bones) and rich in protein (for building strong muscles).
conclusion
- Arthritis is inflammation of joints.Arthrosis is age-related changes in cartilage tissue (destruction of cartilage).
- Arthrosis occurs in older people (50+) (can also occur at younger ages, but rarely and after serious injury).Arthritis can occur at any age (even in children).
- With arthrosis, pain occurs in the joints during physical activity.Arthritis causes pain at night.
- With arthrosis, pain increases during walking, with arthritis it decreases.
- Osteoarthritis often affects the knee and hip joints.Arthritis can occur in any joint;Injury may occur to several distant joints or to just one joint.
- Arthritis, as an inflammatory disease, can be diagnosed by blood tests, not arthrosis.