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.Symptoms such as joint pain and difficulty moving also occur in both cases.However, there is quite a big difference between them.We will try to bring some clarity to these concepts.We will explain how arthritis and arthrosis manifest themselves, what is the difference between these diseases and how they are treated.
Difference between arthritis and arthrosis
Arthritis is inflammation of the joints.Arthrosis is an age-related change in cartilage tissue (destruction of cartilage).
Arthritisis a very broad term that is used to describe different types of conditions that cause joint inflammation.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 out.Our joints are mobile due to cartilage, its elasticity and smoothness.Its destruction results in direct contact between the bones in the joints, causing pain.Arthrosis is an age-related change that occurs in old age.
Also, arthritis and arthrosis have differences in:
- Symptoms
- Risk factors.
- Classifications.
- Diagnostics.
- Treatment.
Symptoms
Symptoms of arthritis may also be present with arthrosis, but the nature of these symptoms is different.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 the symptoms of another.But here are some symptoms that are commonly observed among all types of arthritis:
- Pain.It usually hurts at night and may subside as the duration of movement increases (for example, when walking during the day).
- Edema and swelling.If you have not had any injuries and when comparing both knees or wrists, one of them appears to be swollen, this may indicate arthritis.
- Feelings of joint displacement.There may be a feeling that the joints are shifting and pushing against each other.
- Fatigue.With any inflammatory disease, the immune system is 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 lead to fever and loss of appetite.
- Redness and skin rash.Usually occur near inflamed joints.
- Limited range of motion in affected joints.It goes without saying that pain makes any movement difficult.Performing simple household chores or engaging in your favorite hobby becomes difficult due to acute pain in arthritic joints.
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 a person will experience.Unlike arthritis, where pain often occurs at night or at rest, pain with arthrosis often occurs during the day: while walking, running, etc.Touching the skin over the painful joint can also cause pain.
- Decreased mobility.It is especially noticeable after a long period of inactivity, for example after a night's sleep.
- Crunch.When moving with arthrosis, you can hear specific sounds (not a light clicking sound, but a heavy and rough sound).This is the result of the breakdown of cartilage, which is designed to provide smooth, painless friction between joints.
- Deformation.With arthrosis (especially in the later stages), various deformations of bones and joints can occur: nodules, growths.There is no swelling, as with arthritis.
Risk factors
Some factors may be the same for both diseases, while others are different.
- Age.One of the most common risk factors.As you age, your chances of getting 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 their joints receive.This increases the chances of developing arthrosis and arthritis.
- Injury.The risk of arthrosis at a young age increases if you have previously suffered injuries to bones or joints.
- Genetics.If many family members suffered from arthrosis, there is a high probability that you will also encounter this disease.However, your genetics do not increase your chances of getting arthritis.
- Activity.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 an early age (up to 16 years).
Classification
Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis) is the most common type of arthritis and develops due to wear and tear of cartilage and painful friction between joints.
- Rheumatoid arthritis - This type of arthritis usually affects all joints of the body except the lower back.This 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 mainly affects the spine.It develops in the vertebrae and discs.This is an autoimmune disease.
- Cervical arthritis occurs for various reasons, but the main one is age.About 85% of people over 80 suffer from this disease.
- Gout is a rare type of arthritis that causes inflammation of 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 that is characterized by inflammation of the skin and joints.With this disease, inflammation of the tendons and cartilage is observed; the eyes, lungs and even the aorta can also suffer.
- Reactive arthritis occurs as the body's response to an attack by bacteria and infections.The causative agents are intestinal and genitourinary infections.The disease causes swelling of the fingers and toes, and lower back pain.
- Juvenile arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects children under 16 years of age.Leads to the destruction of bones and joints, problems with development and growth.
- 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 spasms.
- 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 hinge joint and is one of the strongest in the body.However, in old age it becomes worn out, and coxarthrosis is also often found 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 torso).
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of both joint diseases includes:
- Survey.When the pain occurred, in which joint, the nature and duration of the pain, occupation, in what cases the pain intensifies, past infectious diseases, injuries, etc.
- Visual inspection and palpation.Inspection for visible signs: swelling, redness, nodules.
- Analyzes.
- X-ray and MRI.
What is the difference between diagnosing arthritis and arthrosis?Because arthritis is an inflammatory disease, the inflammation will be visible in a blood test.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 treating arthritis is to eliminate the cause of joint inflammation.
- Medicines.Treatment for 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 relieve pressure on joints.It is necessary to consume foods high in calcium (to stimulate bone strength) and rich in protein (to build strong muscles).
- Surgical intervention.Surgeries range from minor procedures to major surgeries (joint replacement).
Arthrosis
The main goal of treating arthrosis is to restore damaged cartilage.Treatment includes:
- Medicines in tablets are chondroprotectors.
- Injections - corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid to reduce inflammation and increase mobility.
- Massage therapy.The following essential oils are especially 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 adjustments - diet and exercise to relieve pressure on joints.It is necessary to consume foods high in calcium (to stimulate bone strength) and rich in protein (to build strong muscles).
Conclusions
- Arthritis is inflammation of the joints.Arthrosis is an age-related change in cartilage tissue (destruction of cartilage).
- Arthrosis occurs in older people (50+) (can also occur at a young age, but very rarely and after a serious injury).Arthritis can occur at any age (even in children).
- With arthrosis, the joints hurt during physical activity.With arthritis, pain occurs at night.
- With arthrosis, the pain increases during movement, with arthritis it decreases.
- 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 by a blood test, arthrosis cannot.