“Every month, more than 6,000 people ask the question about the difference between the concepts of “arthrosis” and “arthritis,” according to the Yandex.Wordstat service.
Understanding the main symptoms of these diseases helps you get the right treatment in a timely manner and avoid complications, which is why we have described the differences in detail in this article.
An accurate diagnosis can be made after examination:
- general blood and urine analysis,
- biochemical blood test,
- rheumatic test and x-ray of the affected joint
- MRI and examination of synovial fluid - if necessary.
How do diseases differ?
A disease such as arthrosis is age-related. Over time, the integrity is compromised and degenerative disorders of cartilage tissue appear. It is impossible to cure arthrosis, just as it is impossible to stop the aging process. Arthrosis is a chronic disease that occurs in waves: an acute attack is followed by a period of remission.
If you do not seek medical help, arthritis can greatly ruin your life: joint mobility will decrease, and you will be haunted by constant pain. In particularly severe cases, the disease can lead to disability. Therefore, do not delay going to the doctor, make an appointment on time. Our clinic’s specialists will help slow down irreversible changes and maximize the youth and health of your joints.
As for arthritis , it is an inflammatory disease that can affect one or more joints, adjacent tissues, ligaments and muscles. It is often a concomitant symptom of other diseases or joint injuries. The disease is treatable, especially if it is started on time. The peculiarity of arthritis is that it can spread to other joints and tissues, and also become chronic. In some cases, the disease develops gradually, in others it develops quickly and abruptly.
To cure arthritis, you first need to determine its root cause. To do this, our doctors conduct a full examination. Based on the results obtained, you will be prescribed complex therapy that will help you cope with the disease.
About arthrosis
70% of cases occur in people over 65 years of age.
Arthrosis is a disease that leads to deformation and destruction of the joint capsule. The articular surface is cartilage that covers the surface of the joint and prevents bones from touching each other: it allows free and painless movement. Arthrosis most often develops in old age.
It is also called “the disease of pianists and athletes,” who often suffer from arthrosis due to constant stress on the wrists and leg joints: hip, knee, ankle.
Arthrosis, unlike arthritis, affects only the joints and is not inflammatory in nature.
Symptoms
Symptoms of arthrosis appear gradually as the disease progresses. At the beginning of development they are not there at all. This is the main reason for visiting a doctor in later stages.
The first symptoms of arthrosis manifest themselves:
- immobility of the joint after sleep or long rest, which quickly disappears with movement;
- crunching, grinding and clicking sounds, which are accompanied by a dull sound;
- pain with movement and exertion.
In the later stages of arthrosis, the symptoms become more noticeable: joint immobility and pain increase, and “hard joint” syndrome also develops - the replacement of soft cartilaginous tissue with bone growths.
The development of a chronic form of the disease leads to the inability to move one or more joints.
Treatment and prevention
Arthrosis is more treatable in the early stages of the disease. Also, the chances of recovery depend on age - before the age of 40, it is much easier to get rid of the disease.
Under these conditions, the patient is prescribed control of loads on the diseased joint, drug and shock wave therapy - short-term exposure to bone and connective tissue with acoustic pulses of significant amplitude of low frequency: from 16 to 25 Hz. Other procedures can also be used: for example, mud applications, electrophoresis with drugs.
The chronic form of the disease, as well as arthrosis in old age, cannot be completely cured. However, competent and regular therapy helps to control the disease as much as possible: stop the destruction of the joint and improve the patient’s quality of life.
During this therapy, the doctor prescribes medication that activates the regeneration process, and also gives recommendations on lifestyle.
Primary prevention helps prevent the development of arthrosis. Basic principles:
- weight control - excess weight increases the load on the joints;
- regular physical activity - gymnastics, stretching and moderate exercise;
- choosing high-quality and comfortable shoes - improper load distribution provokes increased pressure on the joints;
- strengthening the immune system and protecting against hypothermia.
Causes of arthrosis and arthritis
As we have already said, primary arthrosis appears as a result of age-related changes occurring in the body. They begin at different ages for all people. Arthrosis is usually diagnosed in patients aged 50-60 years, although in recent years experts have noted that people aged 30 to 40 are also affected by the disease. Secondary arthrosis can also develop after a joint injury at any, even very early, age.
The early appearance of arthrosis can be promoted by:
- heredity;
- injuries and congenital pathologies of cartilage and joints;
- features of work and lifestyle (increased load on joints);
- hormonal disorders;
- improper metabolism;
- excess weight, etc.
Arthritis appears at any age; it can be triggered by certain reasons:
- injury;
- dystrophic changes in tissues;
- fungal or viral infection;
- allergic reactions;
- metabolic disorders, vitamin deficiency;
- malfunctions of the nervous system.
About arthritis
Arthritis is a disease that is triggered by infection, a malfunction of the immune system or metabolism. The main sign of arthritis is the inflammatory process: swelling, redness of the skin and increased temperature in the area of the affected joint. The negative effects of arthritis can extend beyond the joints: the heart, kidneys and liver are at risk.
| 200 | 25-40 | 18% |
| There are more than two hundred types of arthritis: with different manifestations and causes | Young and middle-aged people are at risk | Arthritis accounts for the most disabilities according to WHO statistics |
Symptoms
The first signs of the disease, as a rule, are:
- sharp pain - during movement or rest,
- swelling in the area of the affected joint - constant or recurring,
- redness and increased temperature of the affected area - can be felt by touch,
- stiffness of movement in the morning.
Arthritis can occur in a latent form - in this case, symptoms appear after exposure to provoking factors: stress, overwork, hypothermia or infection.
Symptoms also include manifestations of the inflammatory process in the body:
- increase in body temperature to 38-39 degrees;
- loss of strength and chills;
- conjunctivitis;
- changes in blood test values: for example, increased ESR and high leukocyotosis;
- pain when urinating.
The severity of arthritis can vary, and progress is not necessarily rapid. However, if you do not pay attention to the problem, arthritis becomes chronic and can lead to disruption of internal organs and disability: incapacity, modification of joints and limbs.
Treatment and prevention
The prescribed treatment will depend on the severity of the diagnosis. If during diagnosis the patient does not have damage to internal organs, treatment is relatively simple. The patient may be prescribed:
- anti-inflammatory and painkillers,
- physiotherapeutic procedures,
- diet and abstinence from alcohol,
- reducing physical stress on the affected joint.
In cases where the disease has affected the organs, the patient undergoes an additional treatment program to the main one aimed at supporting them:
- additional examinations,
- drug therapy,
- special diet.
Among the various forms of arthritis, there are some serious diseases that are important to diagnose in time:
- Rheumatism is an inflammatory disease of connective tissue that affects large and medium-sized joints, and also has specific manifestations: it can manifest itself sharply and pass on different joints, as if moving from one to another.
Rheumatism does not deform the joints, but lack of treatment is fraught with serious complications: for example, kidney disease and heart disease.
The cause may be previous infectious diseases: sore throat, otitis media and the like. Children aged 7 to 14 years are most often at risk. Heredity also influences the development of the disease.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease in which the inflammatory process affects both joints and many organs. For example, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels. Belongs to the group of systemic connective tissue diseases. The disease most often affects women over 60 years of age.
It progresses slowly, affects several joints at once and spreads symmetrically. As the disease progresses, the joints lose mobility, become painful and swollen. Characteristic nodules appear on the joints affected by inflammation.
A feature of rheumatoid diagnosis is the use of special laboratory tests that allow an accurate diagnosis to be established. Rheumatoid arthritis is difficult to treat, using potent drugs. Therefore, it is very important to suspect and diagnose this disease in the early stages.
- Gouty arthritis or gout is a progressive joint disease that occurs due to disturbances in the metabolism of uric acid in the blood and the deposition of salts in the joint tissues. Most often it begins with damage to the big toes.
Gout usually affects older people, mostly men. But there are also cases of the disease at a younger age.
The treatment of rheumatism, systemic diseases, and gout differs from the treatment of, for example, allergic or reactive arthritis. Only a doctor can make a correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment.
It is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it, so we recommend that you take care of prevention and carefully monitor your health:
- give up bad habits - smoking, drinking alcohol, poor nutrition;
- develop the habit of rational exercise - exercise, stretching, balanced training;
- strengthen the immune system - consult a doctor regarding mineral and vitamin complexes, flu vaccinations.
Symptoms of diseases
The main symptom of both diseases is pain in the affected joint or joints. With arthrosis - dull and aching, with arthritis - sharp. In addition, you should pay attention to some other signs that may indicate the development of one of the diseases.
The main symptoms of arthrosis:
- pain when walking and pressing on the joint;
- night cramping pain in the calf muscles;
- crunching and discomfort when moving;
- joint deformation.
Main symptoms of arthritis:
- limitation of joint mobility;
- redness, swelling of tissues;
- pain when pressing;
- swelling, change in joint shape;
- with infectious arthritis - increased body temperature, fever, chills.
Preventive physical education and massage
With osteoarthritis, it is important to exercise correctly so as not to cause harm. Start your workout with warming up and relaxing exercises. Then do stretching and strength exercises, but avoid sudden movements. All actions must be neat and smooth, and must be done systematically.
The specialist will tell you what massage movements will help support the joint. Massage is relevant for large joints surrounded by large muscle groups. The main rule is not to massage the capsule of the damaged joint. Ideally, it is better to entrust this event to a specialist, but it is hardly worth refusing such prevention. A well-executed massage relaxes spastic muscles and improves lymphatic drainage.
Another effective therapeutic and prophylactic agent is intra-articular injections of the Noltrex synovial fluid prosthesis. The drug stops friction of damaged cartilage surfaces and postpones their further destruction by a year and a half. Subsequently, you can take another course and thus protect your joints from degenerative changes.
It's never too late to take care of your joints. Do this as long as nothing bothers you. Take care of them if they are already damaged. And remember that with arthrosis the main thing is to maintain a positive attitude, move and look confidently into the future!
Diagnostics
Only an experienced doctor can determine the disease and the extent of damage, so contact SanMedExpert for help. To diagnose diseases, our specialists use modern equipment, techniques, extensive experience and accumulated knowledge.
If you suspect arthrosis or arthritis, the doctor will conduct a visual examination of the diseased joints, palpation, and ask you to talk about symptoms, previous diseases and injuries. Then you will be prescribed an X-ray examination, laboratory tests of blood and urine.
With arthrosis, blood counts are usually within normal limits. Whereas with arthritis, the patient exhibits an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and a high level of leukocytes, which indicates the development of an inflammatory process. An x-ray will not show changes in the joints due to arthritis, but in case of arthrosis, the doctor will identify such changes in the image. Also, with arthritis, the so-called rheumatoid factor will be increased.
In addition, for diagnosis we use special instrumental studies (ultrasound, arthrography, arthroscopy, myelography). The patient must be examined by a rheumatologist, traumatologist, and consult a dermatologist, infectious disease specialist, or phthisiatrician. Only based on the results of research and the opinions of highly specialized specialists can an accurate diagnosis be made and effective treatment prescribed.
Treatment
Therapy for arthrosis and arthritis is different. Unfortunately, it is impossible to get rid of arthrosis forever. But it is possible to alleviate the patient’s condition and return him to normal life.
The treatment strategy is chosen by the doctor depending on the course and severity of the disease, its root cause, and concomitant diseases. In any case, it must be comprehensive.
First of all, it is necessary to relieve pain. For arthrosis, the doctor will prescribe chondroprotectors that “restore” cartilage and prevent their destruction. To relieve inflammation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. Ointments, gels, and rubs are prescribed as additional local treatment.
If you have been diagnosed with arthritis, your treatment strategy will be slightly different. In addition to chondroprotectors and local medications, if necessary, the doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics (if the cause is an infection). And he will definitely prescribe treatment for the disease that led to the development of arthritis.
If the joint is completely destroyed or antibiotics cannot cope with the inflammation, surgical intervention cannot be avoided. During the operation, the joint is removed and a prosthetic implant is placed in its place.
In complex therapy for the treatment of arthritis and arthrosis, physical therapy and physiotherapy have also proven themselves to be excellent.
Correct load mode
The main enemy of joints is prolonged static loads, which cause stagnant processes in the body. Even a comfortable position, if not changed for hours, leads to the fact that the load-bearing joints are overloaded and do not receive sufficient nutrition.
When preventing arthrosis of the joints, it is important to take into account that nutrition of cartilage is possible only by alternating load and rest. Having a porous structure, it releases synovial fluid when compressed and absorbs it back in a calm state. Synovial fluid in this case plays not only the role of a lubricant, but also a nutrient solution. If cartilage is loaded for a long time, it does not receive the elements it needs. But too long a period of rest for the prevention of arthrosis is fraught - the synovial “solution” is depleted, because all this time the useful substances from it pass into the cartilage tissue. Both extremes lead to the fact that the joint “starves”, becomes fragile and inelastic, and chondrocytes (cartilage cells) begin to die. Prevention of joint diseases consists of proper alternation of rest and physical activity. This means that when working sedentarily or doing monotonous physical work, it is important to take breaks for 5-10 minutes every hour to stretch your joints and muscles.
Here are some more tips to help you prevent joint pain:
- when standing, use a low bench, periodically placing one leg or the other on it to rest;
- Make sure that when carrying heavy objects your back is straight;
- when lifting a heavy object, squat down with a straight back, and then rise using the leg muscles - this way you won’t break your back every time;
- to prevent arthrosis, use a comfortable chair with armrests for work or rest - it is advisable to choose one that can be adjusted to your height;
- read the tips for maintaining posture in schoolchildren - they will help relieve joints at any age;
- prefer hard seats to soft ones - this will make it easier for you to monitor fatigue and take a timely break to warm up to prevent arthritis of the joints;
- When driving or at your desk, stay straight and do not lean forward;
- install ergonomic headrests and lumbar bolsters in the car to reduce the shock-absorbing load on the joints due to vibration of the vehicle;
- give up running and highly traumatic sports.
To prevent arthritis and arthrosis, do swimming, walking, therapeutic exercises, do not neglect cycling - and may your joints never get sore!
