Arthritis and osteoarthritis are complex diseases that affect the joints.Due to similar symptoms, many people think that these diseases are the same, but this is not the case.Arthritis and osteoarthritis differ in the causes of the disease, the nature of its development, the affected area 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 the two patients waited in line, they had time to briefly discuss their health concerns.
It turned out that their symptoms are very similar: their joints hurt, they do not bend/unfold with full force, they do not rest at night or during the 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 joints.It is always preceded by an injury to the bone or cartilaginous tissue caused by some factor.
Biologically active substances are released from the destroyed cells, which triggers an inflammatory reaction.The vessels in the affected area dilate and fill with blood: as a result, immune cells emerge in the joint tissue to fight the damaging factor.
At the same time, the liquid part of the blood leaves the vascular bed and edema is formed, which limits the area of inflammation.This is how the body protects itself from significant damage caused by bacteria, foreign bodies and chemicals.
After the complete or partial elimination of the pathogen, the healing mechanism begins.If the damage is 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 – edema formation;
- 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, due to which it perceives the joints as a foreign element for the body - rheumatoid arthritis;
- violation of purine metabolism leads to the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints - gout;
- allergic reactions can involve joint tissues with the development of an inflammatory reaction - allergic arthritis;
- long-term use of certain drugs 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 anywhere can indirectly affect joint tissues – this is reactive arthritis;
- acute injury - recent damage (impact, bruise, 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.In bacterial and reactive arthritis, large joints are usually affected on one side: knee, hip, sacral (at the junction of the spine with the pelvic bones).
Rheumatism develops against a background of fever and general weakness, generally preceded by a sore throat.Severe inflammation of bones, cartilage tissue and synovium can occur with fever, general intoxication: headache, weakness, lack of appetite.
The skin above the joint turns red and feels warmer to the touch than other areas.Outwardly, it appears swollen and increases in volume.If the lesion only occurs on one side, the difference between the healthy limb and the diseased limb is visible.
Limited movement is associated with swelling and pain.If the joint cavity is slightly inflamed, it functions almost completely.With a pronounced pathological reaction, the entire synovial cavity can be filled with fluid - in this case, mobility is sharply 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 using a syringe or special suction during arthroscopy.The joint is immobilized throughout the period of acute inflammation.Next, the patient is shown therapeutic exercises to restore joint mobility.
Doctor's advice
According to personal practice and professional experience of colleagues, gelatin compresses have worked well for joint inflammation of any etiology.They are easy to implement and inexpensive.You need to fold the gauze in several layers, the length and width should be such that it is sufficient for the painful joint.Dip the folded gauze in hot water, wring it out and smooth it.Sprinkle a thin layer of gelatin on top, roll it so that it ends up inside, like in a bag, and does not overflow.Place it on the joint, wrap it in a plastic bag and secure it with a bandage and/or plaster.You can wear the compress for up to 3 hours, do it 2 times a day for 2 weeks.Usually the effect is felt after 4-5 days of use, but the treatment must be continued to achieve the desired result;if the course is interrupted, the pain will return.
What is osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (otherwise known as osteoarthritis) is a degenerative disease.It is based on a deterioration in the nutrition of the articular cartilage, slower recovery and progressive thinning.
Simply put, the cartilaginous 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 together with force.The bone plates are partially destroyed and mild chronic inflammation develops.
As the disease progresses, bone spurs develop in the joint - a protective reaction of the tissues to constant damage.They prevent the surfaces from sliding relative to each other and the mobility of the joint is impaired.
Osteoarthritis in most people begins to progress after age 30 to 40, 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 injuries;
- 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 generally affected on only one side: knee, hip, sacral.The disease begins unnoticed.At first, pain is rare and is associated with significant physical activity.
The discomfort disappears the same day or after a few days if the person manages to rest.As the disease progresses, pain intensity increases and occurs even during normal daily activities.
The mobility of the joint gradually decreases, and due to the disease it is completely lost.Movements in the affected limb cause severe pain.Osteoarthritis can worsen depending on the type of arthritis: fluid accumulates in the joint cavity, the skin covering it becomes red and hot.Once the inflammatory reaction has subsided, 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.Therapy is aimed at restoring metabolic processes in cartilage, improving joint nutrition and eliminating the inflammatory reaction.Treatment lasts a lifetime and can be continuous or medicinal.
In the interictal period, chondroprotectors are prescribed in the form of tablets and ointments, therapeutic exercises and massage.In case of exacerbation, chondroprotectors are administered intravenously or intramuscularly along with analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs.A trauma doctor can inject protective medications directly into the joint every few months.
Advanced stages of the disease require surgery in which the diseased joint is replaced with an artificial joint.
Differences between diseases
| Sign | Arthritis | Osteoarthritis |
| Cause of illness | Inflammation | Degeneration of cartilage tissue |
| Current | Acute, chronic with exacerbations | Chronic |
| Pain | Intense from the start, more pronounced in the morning | At the beginning of the disease it is low, but gradually increases.Increases in the evening and after exercise |
| Movements | You have to “disperse” - in the morning after sleep, the joints are the least mobile | Mobility gradually decreases, no morning stiffness |
| Affected joints | The small joints of the hands and feet are affected symmetrically.Fat people suffer from a bacterial infection | One or more large joints on different sides of the body |
| Blood test | Pronounced inflammatory changes in general blood test, rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, antibodies to pathogens | No characteristic changes |
| X-ray | Gradual changes, osteoporosis - loss of bone tissue, cysts in the bones | Progressive changes, deformation of the joint space, appearance of thorns and bony growths. |
| Basic treatment | Anti-inflammatory medications | Chondroprotectors |
A similar feature of both diseases is a gradual course with a gradual loss of mobility.Autoimmune arthritis often manifests itself at a young age, when a person is still concerned about their health.
It should be remembered that any joint pain that lasts for a long time occurs under certain conditions - this is a serious reason to consult a doctor.It is important to diagnose the disease in time and start its treatment in order to slow down the development of the pathological process.