Arthritis and arthritis 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, symptoms such as joint pain and difficulty moving occur.However, there is quite a difference between them.We will try to clarify these concepts.We explain how arthritis and arthrosis manifest themselves, what is the difference between these diseases and how they are treated.
The difference between arthritis and arthrosis
Arthritis is inflammation of the joints.Arthrosis is an age-related change in the cartilage tissue (destruction of the cartilage).
Arthritisis a very broad term used to describe different types of conditions that cause arthritis.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 during wear and tear of cartilage tissue.Our joints are mobile thanks to the cartilage tissue, its flexibility and smoothness.Its destruction results in direct contact of the articular bones, causing pain.Arthrosis is an age-related change that occurs in old age.
In addition, arthritis and arthrosis differ in the following:
- Symptoms
- Risk factors.
- Classifications.
- Diagnostics.
- Treatment.
Symptoms
Arthritis symptoms can also appear in arthrosis, but the nature of these symptoms is different.For example, joint pain is present in both cases, but pain caused by long-lasting strain and stress is common only in the case of arthrosis.
Arthritis
It is important to understand that the symptoms of one type of arthritis are sometimes completely different from another.However, here are some symptoms that are common among all types of arthritis:
- Pain.It usually hurts at night and may decrease as the duration of movement increases (for example, when walking during the day).
- Edema and swelling.If you have had no injuries and if you compare both knees or wrists, one appears to be swollen, this may indicate arthritis.
- Sensation of joint displacement.Joints may become displaced and pressed against each other.
- Fatigue.In case of any inflammatory disease, the immune system is activated and starts an active fight, which leads to a general weakening of the body and fatigue.
- Fever and loss of appetite.Inflammation not only lowers energy levels, as mentioned earlier, but can also lead to fever and loss of appetite.
- Redness and rash.It usually occurs near inflamed joints.
- Limited range of motion in the affected joints.It goes without saying that pain makes any movement difficult.Due to the acute pain of arthritic joints, doing simple household chores or practicing your favorite hobby becomes difficult.
Arthrosis
Here are the most common symptoms of arthrosis:
- Pain.The pain is felt in the specific joint affected by arthrosis and varies depending on the degree of cartilage damage.The more cartilage that is destroyed, the more pain a person will experience.Unlike arthritis, where pain often occurs at night or at rest, arthritic pain often occurs during the day: walking, running, etc.during.Touching the skin over the painful joint can also cause pain.
- Reduced mobility.It is especially noticeable after a long period of inactivity, such as after a night's sleep.
- Crunch.If you move in arthrosis, you may hear certain sounds (not a soft clicking sound, but a strong and harsh sound).This is the result of the breakdown of cartilage, which is designed to provide smooth, painless friction between joints.
- Deformation.In the case of arthrosis (especially in the later stages), various deformations of the bones and joints may occur: lumps, growths.There is no swelling like in arthritis.
Risk factors
Some factors may be the same for both diseases, while others may be different.
- Circle.One of the most common risk factors.As age increases, the chance of developing arthrosis or other types of arthritis increases 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 their joints experience.This increases the chance of developing arthrosis and arthritis.
- Injury.The risk of developing arthrosis increases at a young age if you have previously suffered bone or joint injuries.
- Genetics.If many family members have suffered from arthrosis, there is a high probability that you will also encounter this disease.However, genetics do not increase the chance of arthritis.
- Activity.If you constantly do a job that requires a lot of stress on your bones, joints and cartilage, the chance of developing arthrosis increases.
By the way, the Oxford University research group recently discovered a marker in the blood that can identify the risk of developing arthritis before the symptoms appear, even at an early age (up to 16 years).
Classification
Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis) is the most common type of arthritis, which develops as a result of cartilage wear and painful friction between the joints.
- Rheumatoid arthritis – This type of arthritis usually affects all the joints in the body except the lower back.It is an autoimmune disease, the causes of which are not fully understood.A person can get sick at any age (even small children suffer from the disease).
- Ankylosing spondylitis primarily affects the spine.It develops in the vertebrae and discs.It is an autoimmune disease.
- Cervical arthritis occurs for various reasons, but the main reason is age.About 85% of people over the age of 80 suffer from this disease.
- Gout is a rare type of arthritis that causes inflammation in various joints.This disease occurs due to increased levels of uric acid in the blood.Gout 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 is the body's response to an attack by bacteria and infection.The pathogens are intestinal and urinary tract infections.The disease causes swelling of the fingers and toes, as well as lower back pain.
- Juvenile arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects children under the age of 16.It leads to the destruction of bones and joints, development and growth problems.
- Post-traumatic arthritis - develops as a result of previous injuries (fractures, cracks, sprains).
Arthrosis
The following types of arthrosis exist:
- Cervical arthrosis affects the cervical vertebrae, appears 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 among older adults and causes back pain, especially when the person is in an upright position.Poor posture can cause facet syndrome.
- Coxarthrosis is arthrosis of the hip joint.The hip joint is a wrist joint and one of the strongest in the body.However, it wears out in old age, and coxarthrosis often occurs in athletes and overweight people.
- Lumbar arthrosis affects the lower back.It can be caused by scoliosis and abdominal obesity (accumulation of fatty tissue in the upper part of the torso).
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of both joint diseases includes:
- Poll.When did the pain appear, in which joint, the nature of the pain, its duration, occupation, in which cases the pain worsens, past infectious diseases, injuries, etc.
- Visual inspection and palpation.Examination of visible signs: swelling, redness, nodules.
- Analyzes.
- X-ray and MRI.
What is the difference between diagnosing arthritis and arthrosis?Since arthritis is an inflammatory disease, the inflammation will show up in a blood test.The tests for arthrosis are straightforward;X-rays or MRI are usually used for diagnosis.
Treatment
Arthritis
Depending on the severity of the disease, there are different treatment options.The main goal of arthritis treatment is to eliminate the cause of arthritis.
- Medicines.Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis may require a combination of different medications.In addition to pain relievers, your doctor may also prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and hormonal medications to reduce pain.
- Lifestyle modification – diet and exercise to relieve pressure on joints.It is necessary to eat foods with a high calcium content (to stimulate bone strength) and protein-rich foods (to build strong muscles).
- Surgical intervention.Surgeries range from minor interventions to major surgeries (joint replacement).
Arthrosis
The main goal of treating arthrosis is to restore damaged cartilage.Treatment includes:
- The drugs in the 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 ones to reduce pain and improve mobility.
- Lifestyle modification – diet and exercise to relieve pressure on joints.It is necessary to eat foods with a high calcium content (to stimulate bone strength) and protein-rich foods (to build strong muscles).
Conclusions
- Arthritis is inflammation of the joints.Arthrosis is an age-related change in the cartilage tissue (destruction of the cartilage).
- Arthrosis occurs in older people (50+) (it can also occur at a young age, but very rarely and after a serious injury).Arthritis can occur at any age (even in children).
- In the case of arthrosis, the joints hurt during physical activity.In case of arthritis, the pain occurs at night.
- In the case of arthrosis, the pain increases during movement, and decreases in the case of arthritis.
- Osteoarthritis most often affects the knee and hip joints.Arthritis can occur in any joint;Several distant joints or just one may hurt.
- Arthritis, as an inflammatory disease, can be diagnosed with a blood test, arthrosis cannot.