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 occur in both cases.However, there is quite a big difference between them.We will try to clarify these concepts.We will 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.Osteoarthritis is an age-related change in cartilage tissue (cartilage destruction).
Arthritisis a very broad term used to describe various types of conditions that cause joint inflammation.Each type of inflammation has its own name, for example, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis (arthrosis, arthrosis deformity).Arthritis can occur at any age.
Arthrosis (osteoarthrosis, arthrosis)- is one of the most common types of arthritis that occurs when the cartilage tissue wears out.Our joints are mobile due to cartilage, flexibility and smoothness.Its destruction results in direct contact of the bones in the joints, causing pain.Arthrosis is an age-related change that occurs in old age.
Also, there are differences between arthritis and arthrosis:
- Symptoms
- Risk factors.
- Classifications.
- Diagnostics.
- Treatment.
Symptoms
Arthritic symptoms can also occur with arthrosis, but the nature of these symptoms is different.For example, joint pain is present in both cases, but with long-term tension and stress, pain occurs only in arthrosis.
Arthritis
It is important to understand that the symptoms of one type of arthritis are sometimes quite different from those of 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 haven't had any injuries and when you compare both knees or one of your wrists looks swollen, this could indicate arthritis.
- Joint displacement sensations.There may be a sensation of the joints shifting and pushing against each other.
- Fatigue.With 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 cause fever and loss of appetite.
- Redness and skin 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.Performing simple household chores or engaging in your favorite hobby becomes difficult due to acute pain in arthritic joints.
Arthrosis
The most common symptoms of arthrosis are:
- Pain.Pain is felt in the particular joint affected by arthrosis and varies depending on the degree of cartilage damage.The more cartilage is destroyed, the more pain a person experiences.Unlike arthritis, where pain often occurs at night or at rest, pain with arthrosis often occurs during the day: 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 special 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: knots, growths.There is no swelling like in arthritis.
Risk factors
Some factors may be the same for both diseases, while others may be different.
- Age.It is one of the most common risk factors.As you age, your chances of developing osteoarthritis or other types of arthritis increase tenfold.At this time, arthritis mainly affects older people, and arthritis can occur at any age.
- Weight.The heavier a person is, the more pressure is placed on the joints.This increases the chances of developing arthrosis and arthritis.
- injury.In case of previous bone or joint damage, the risk of arthrosis increases at a young age.
- Genetics.If many family members suffer from arthrosis, chances are high that you will also experience this disease.However, your genetics do not increase your chances of getting arthritis.
- Activity.If you are constantly engaged in a job that requires you to put a lot of pressure on your bones, joints and cartilage, you are more likely to develop osteoarthritis.
By the way, a research team at the University of Oxford recently discovered a marker in the blood that can determine the risk of developing arthritis, even before the onset of symptoms, even at an early age (up to 16 years).
Classification
Arthritis
- Osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis, arthrosis) is the most common type of arthritis and develops as a result of wear and tear of cartilage and painful friction between joints.
- Rheumatoid arthritis - This type of arthritis usually affects all joints in the body except the lower back.It is an autoimmune disease whose causes 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.It is an autoimmune disease.
- Cervical arthritis is caused by various reasons, but the main one 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 of various joints.This disease occurs due to an increase in the level 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.Inflammation of tendons and cartilages is observed with this disease;the eyes, lungs, and even the aorta can suffer.
- Reactive arthritis occurs in response to the body's attack of bacteria and infections.The causative agent of the disease is intestinal and genitourinary infections.The disease causes swelling of fingers and toes, back pain.
- Juvenile arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects children under the age of 16.It leads to destruction of bones and joints, problems with development and growth.
- Post-traumatic arthritis - occurs as a result of previous injuries (fractures, cracks, sprains).
Arthrosis
There are the following types of arthrosis:
- Cervical arthrosis affects the neck vertebrae, occurs in old age, can be caused by stress and chronic neck diseases.Symptoms include neck pain and muscle spasms.
- Facet syndrome is most common among the elderly and causes back pain, especially when a person is in an upright position.Poor posture can cause facet syndrome.
- Coxarthrosis is arthrosis of the hip joint.The hip joint is a hinged joint and one of the strongest in the body.But it wears out in old age, and coxarthrosis often occurs in athletes and overweight people.
- Lumbar arthrosis affects the lower back.This can be caused by scoliosis and abdominal obesity (accumulation of fatty tissue in the upper body).
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of both co-morbidities includes:
- Inquiry.When and in which joint the pain occurred, the nature and duration of the pain, occupation, in which cases the pain intensifies, past infectious diseases, injuries, etc.
- Visual inspection and palpation.Checking for visible signs: swelling, redness, nodules.
- Analyzes.
- X-ray and MRI.
What is the difference between the diagnosis of arthritis and arthrosis?Since arthritis is an inflammatory disease, the inflammation will show up 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 of rheumatoid arthritis may require a combination of different medications.In addition to analgesics, your doctor may also prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and hormonal drugs to reduce pain.
- Lifestyle modifications - diet and exercise to reduce pressure on joints.Foods high in calcium (to stimulate bone strength) and high in protein (to build strong muscles) should be consumed.
- Surgical intervention.Surgeries range from minor surgeries 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 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 modifications - diet and exercise to reduce pressure on joints.Foods high in calcium (to stimulate bone strength) and high in protein (to build strong muscles) should be consumed.
Results
- Arthritis is inflammation of the joints.Osteoarthritis is an age-related change in cartilage tissue (cartilage destruction).
- Osteoarthritis 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).
- With arthrosis, the joints hurt during physical activity.Arthritis pain occurs at night.
- Pain increases during movement with arthrosis, decreases with arthritis.
- Osteoarthritis most commonly affects the knee and hip joints.Arthritis can occur in any joint;several distant joints or only one may be affected.
- Arthritis, as an inflammatory disease, can be diagnosed with a blood test, arthrosis cannot.