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.
The 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 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
Arthritis symptoms can also be present in arthrosis, but the nature of these symptoms is different.For example, joint pain is present in both cases, but pain from long-term strain and stress is common only in 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 seen in all types of arthritis:
- Pain.It usually hurts at night and may go away as the duration of movement increases (for example, when you walk during the day).
- Edema and swelling.If you have had no injuries and when you compare both knees or wrists, one of them appears to be swollen, this may indicate arthritis.
- Sensation of joint movement.There may be a feeling that the joints are moving and pushing against each other.
- Fatigue.In 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 on the skin.They usually occur 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 a favorite hobby becomes difficult due to acute pain in arthritic joints.
Arthrosis
Here are the most common symptoms of arthrosis:
- Pain.The pain is felt in a specific joint affected by arthrosis and varies depending on the degree of cartilage damage.The more cartilage is destroyed, the more pain a person will experience.Unlike arthritis, where pain often occurs at night or while resting, pain in arthrosis often occurs during the day: while walking, running, etc.Touching the skin over the painful joint can also cause pain.
- Reduced mobility.It is especially noticeable after a long period of inactivity, for example after a night's sleep.
- Crunch.When you move with arthrosis, you can hear certain sounds (not a soft click, 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 are different.
- Old age.One of the most common risk factors.As you age, your chances of developing osteoarthritis or other types of arthritis increase tenfold.In this case, arthrosis mainly affects older people, and arthritis can appear at any age.
- Weight.The heavier a person is, the more pressure his joints receive.This increases the chances of developing arthrosis and arthritis.
- An injury.The risk of arthrosis at a young age increases 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, your genetics do not increase your chances of getting arthritis.
- Activity.If you constantly engage in work that requires a lot of stress on bones, joints and cartilage, the 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 is caused by cartilage wear and painful friction between the joints.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis - This type of arthritis usually affects all joints of the body except the lower back.This 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.This is an autoimmune disease.
- Cervical arthritis occurs for 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 in various joints.This disease is caused by an increased 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.In this disease, tendon and cartilage inflammation is observed;the eyes, lungs and even the aorta can also suffer.
- Reactive arthritis occurs as a response of the body to the attack of bacteria and infections.The causative agents are intestinal and genitourinary infections.The disease causes swelling of the fingers and toes, and pain in the lower back.
- Juvenile arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects children under the age of 16.It leads to destruction of bones and joints, problems in development and growth.
- Post-traumatic arthritis - occurs as a result of earlier injuries (fractures, cracks, sprains).
Arthrosis
There are the following types of arthrosis:
- Cervical arthrosis affects the neck vertebrae, occurs 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 the elderly 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 joint and is one of the strongest in the body.However, it wears out in old age, and coxarthrosis is often found in athletes and obese 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 started, in which joint, nature and duration of the pain, occupation, in which cases the pain intensifies, previous infectious diseases, injuries, etc.
- Visual inspection and palpation.Examination for visible signs: swelling, redness, nodules.
- Analysis.
- X-ray and MRI.
What is the difference between diagnosing arthritis and arthrosis?Since arthritis is an inflammatory disease, inflammation will show up in a blood test.The tests for osteoarthritis are clear;X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging 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 drugs.In addition to analgesics, the doctor may also prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and hormonal drugs to reduce pain.
- Lifestyle adjustments - diet and exercise to relieve pressure on joints.It is necessary to consume food rich in calcium (to stimulate bone strength) and rich in protein (to build strong muscles).
- Surgical intervention.Operations range from minor operations to major operations (joint replacement).
Arthrosis
The main goal of arthrosis treatment is to restore the damaged cartilage.Treatment includes:
- Medicines in tablets are chondroprotectors.
- Injections - corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid to reduce inflammation and increase mobility.
- Massage therapy.Essential oils of orange, ginger, lavender, rosemary, sandalwood and eucalyptus are especially effective.
- 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 food rich 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+) (it can also occur at a younger age, but very rarely after serious injuries).Arthritis can occur at any age (even in children).
- In arthrosis, the joints hurt during physical activity.In arthritis, the pain occurs at night.
- In arthrosis, the pain increases during movement, and in 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 with a blood test, arthrosis cannot.