Arthritis and osteoarthritis: what is the difference, prevention and treatment

The most common joint pathologies are arthritis and osteoarthritis. The two diseases have many differences, on which the outcome of the disease largely depends. Proper definition of the disease by a medical professional is the key to effective treatment for complete recovery of the affected joints. Under the influence of age changes, each person is at risk of pathological changes in the joints. Particularly affected are the joints, which are subjected to increased stress throughout life. Diseases can be a direct cause of joint changes. To prevent side effects of joint diseases, it is necessary to prevent the development of the disease by following preventive and therapeutic measures.

The main differences between arthritis and osteoarthritis

Pathologies of the joints: arthritis and osteoarthritis negatively affect the quality of life of the patient. The process that causes the disease in the joint causes pain and restriction of movement. Both diseases lead to destructive changes in the joint structure, but differ in the nature of the origin and course of the disease.

Arthritis, when compared to osteoarthritis, is an acute or chronic inflammatory pathology of the joints, which can occur with infections or diseases of an autoimmune nature, become a complication after injury and also occur in allergic reactions.

how arthritis differs from osteoarthritis

Single and multiple joints are affected. In addition, the inflammatory process spreads throughout the body, involving internal organs.

Osteoarthritis is a process of cartilage modification, leading to the destruction of joints to complete loss of movement, such as arthritis. A pathological process develops in view of the age-related changes in the tissues of the joint, which are exacerbated by the patient's overweight, metabolic disorders and pathologies of the endocrine system.

The causes of arthritis and osteoarthritis differ significantly. The only unifying factor is the similarity of some of the symptoms and the deplorable result of the untreated forms.

Triggering arthritis:

  • development of inflammation of the joint tissues of the knee after trauma of various nature;
  • infection of the knee joint with viral, fungal and bacterial etiology;
  • severe allergies;
  • prolonged exposure to cold air;
  • lack of vitamins and minerals;
  • hereditary predisposition.

The onset of osteoarthritis differs from arthritis in the inevitability of change in every adult. Knowing the etiology of the disease, even at a young age, it is possible to adjust the diet and lifestyle to prevent pathology.

Development is performed under the following conditions:

  • wear and tear on joint components comes from aging;
  • increased body weight significantly increases the daily load on the knees;
  • deforming disorders due to injury;
  • malnutrition;
  • Osteoarthritis may be a complication of arthritis or rather inflammation that is present in this disease;
  • autoimmune pathologies with unexplained etiology;
  • congenital pathologies related to the joints;
  • violation of trophism and blood supply to the joint;
  • thyroid failure;
  • change in hormone levels;
  • polluted environment.

Various features

These two diseases sound similar, but differ in many ways. Arthritis is more common in the young population up to the age of forty, and the destructive processes of cartilage affect the elderly, and the older a person is, the greater the risk of disease.

Osteoarthritis is a disease that is localized mainly in the joints without spreading to surrounding organs and tissues. Arthritis can be one of the manifestations of a more serious disease that involves the whole body in the inflammatory process. Both diseases can occur in acute and chronic forms, only osteoarthritis develops over a long period of time and can lead to complete destruction of the joints.

Arthritis has more pronounced symptoms, accompanied by external manifestations characteristic of inflammation: hyperemia in the area of ​​localization of the process, pronounced swelling, hot skin in the area of ​​the affected joint, pain syndrome. Osteoarthritis runs more smoothly without spreading outside the joint.

Arthritis, unlike osteoarthritis, most often involves small joints in the process: arms, legs, wrists and ankles. The disease rarely affects one joint, polyarthritis is a more common form, and osteoarthritis is localized in large joints.

According to statistics, middle-aged men are more likely to develop joint pathology from infections and viruses. The processes that deform the joints are most common in the female population during menopause, mainly after the age of fifty. Children can also be exposed to joint damage, especially juvenile arthritis is considered dangerous, which can cause limitation.

Signs of manifestation

It is important to seek medical attention at the first symptoms in order to successfully heal and restore the joints for optimal motor activity. Arthritis and osteoarthritis differ significantly in the initial period of the disease. Inflammation is manifested by the severity of the symptoms, for which it is easy not to miss the initial process.

Dystrophic changes in the tissues of the joint are weak in the initial stage, which is why patients often come to an orthopedist when the disease is in the second or third stage of development. In this case, the treatment is complicated, time consuming and requires many measures to restore normal joint function. A slow process is difficult to diagnose on its own, but for any manifestation of joint discomfort, you just need to go to the doctor's office so as not to miss the initial stage of the disease.

How does arthritis manifest itself?

  1. Unlike osteoarthritis, arthritis causes swelling around the inflamed joint that makes it difficult to move and causes a lot of discomfort when moving on its own.
  2. In acute inflammation, the skin of the joint becomes brightly hyperemic and hot to the touch.
  3. If the arthritis is of the type caused by an infection. The general condition of the patient suffers, intoxication begins, which is accompanied by a febrile condition.
  4. Penetrating pain occurs in inflamed joints, which tends to increase significantly with movement. At rest, the pain syndrome does not subside, but becomes pulsating.
  5. In most cases, arthritis is accompanied by a general deterioration of the condition, weakness occurs, and chronic diseases worsen.
  6. The most vulnerable are the joints of the fingers and toes, as well as the ankle and hand.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

Manifestations of osteoarthritis have no characteristic signs in the first years of the disease, joint wear is felt after several stages of development of the pathological condition.

Signs of osteoarthritis:

  • the pain does not appear immediately, the pain increases with the deterioration of the joint;
  • in the absence of movement the pain does not occur, the pain syndrome begins to develop upon activation;
  • in case of damage to the hip or knee joint - the gait becomes sluggish and the range of motion is incomplete;
  • under neglected conditions, shortening of the lower limb may occur, in the absence of correction, pathologies of the spine develop;
  • when the cartilage tissue is destroyed, the joint loses its mobility and a complete blockade of the joint occurs;
  • pronounced crepitus in the joint during physical activity.

How to treat diseases?

methods of treating arthritis and osteoarthritis

Arthritis and osteoarthritis differ significantly in their approach to treatment. Various causes and mechanisms for the development of pathology presuppose the initial correct diagnosis so that therapeutic measures are effective.

In order not to start the disease and not to waste valuable time, do not rely on the experience of friends and folk recipes.

Diseases that have a detrimental effect on the joints should not be allowed to take place. It is important to feel the joy of movement at any age; not only the well-being but also the quality of human life depends on it.

Treat arthritis

Treatment should begin by identifying the factors that cause inflammation. Once the nature of the origin of the disease is determined, drugs are prescribed that destroy the pathogen of the pathology. When the patient is exposed to pathogenic bacteria, antibiotics are prescribed, which, depending on the severity of the intoxication, are prescribed in the form of tablets or injections. Viral lesions are treated with antiviral pills.

The basis for effective elimination of inflammation and pain suppression will be the mandatory intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They will help to deal with the side effects, both when taking pills and local effects on the affected joint.

Strengthening the immune system is the basis for successful disease control. Taking multivitamins with micronutrients will help the weakened body and help to reverse the course of the disease. In addition to synthetic complexes are useful and natural sources of vitamins - fruits, berries, vegetables.

Adequate nutrition and a special diet are indicated for patients with arthritis as well as osteoarthritis. Authorized products include fermented dairy products, lean meat, fish, vegetables, herbs. You will have to give up strong coffee and black tea, carbonated and alcoholic beverages.

Physiotherapy exercises and physiotherapy procedures give excellent results in combination with the main therapy: treatment with a magnetic pulse field, radon baths, electrophoresis and other methods. The list of special exercises is made by a physiotherapist under whose supervision the load is performed.

We treat osteoarthritis

The disease develops slowly and has a radically different treatment, which should be aimed at restoring the cartilage of the joint. The real salvation will be the use of chondroprotectors, which with prolonged use and following the doctor's recommendations can prevent the progression of destructive changes and repair damaged cells.

Chondroprotectors support tissue nutrition and promote cartilage repair, as well as increase the production of joint fluid, which serves as the sole source of nutrition for joint components.

When pain occurs, NSAIDs are recommended for the symptomatic treatment of pain. A fortified diet, abstinence from alcohol and smoking increase the body's resistance and increase the strength to fight for healthy joints.

Therapeutic gymnastics, using various methods, increases blood circulation in the affected area, causes the joints to move, increasing trophism. Traditional recipes, tested over the years, are useful as an additional method of alternative medicine.

In the last stages of osteoarthritis and arthritis, the only solution is surgical treatment of the joint capsule. The most commonly used method is cartilage transplantation, which can restore the mobility of the affected joint.

How to define a disease?

To find out exactly what disease is developing in the joints, you need to make an appointment with an experienced orthopedist. At the first meeting, the doctor will perform a visual examination and ask questions of interest that will help create a picture of the disease.

The results of laboratory blood tests will help to distinguish arthritis from osteoarthritis; this will require general and biochemical tests. An X-ray will help examine the inside of the joint in detail.

In some pathologies, the patient is referred for magnetic resonance imaging, which will provide answers to the doctor's questions about the diagnosis of the pathology. After collecting all the results, a diagnosis will be made, which will serve as a basis for prescribing treatment.

Preventive measures

Keeping your joints healthy requires a healthy lifestyle. Proper nutrition and regular exercise will prolong life together, which is important for overall health.

At the slightest sign of osteoarthritis or arthritis, you should never treat yourself. Improper actions can negatively affect the outcome of the disease. Timely referral to a specialist and further adherence to appointments guarantees successful treatment, which will make it possible to lead a healthy lifestyle.