Osteoarthritis and arthritis both affect the joints and have similar symptoms. Therefore, they are often confused. Even their names are consonant, although they are completely different diseases. If arthrosis destroys the joints, then arthritis causes an inflammatory process throughout the body. This is the fundamental difference between osteoarthritis and arthritis. Now in more detail.
The most important thing about arthritis
Arthritis is a progressive disease provoked by infection, immune system or metabolic disorders, hormonal disorders. There are more than 200 varieties. The main symptom of arthritis is inflammation in the joint area, swelling, redness of the skin. In advanced form, the disease causes heart, kidney and liver complications. People aged 25 to 40 are at risk.
Arthritis symptoms
The disease can be hidden. As a rule, the first signs of arthritis are:
- pain. It comes on suddenly and gets worse with movement. It is felt more intensely at night, stiffness is felt after sleep;
- tissue changes. Arthritis is characterized by swelling and redness of the skin, synovitis and bursitis are possible (in the first case, it is inflammation of the synovial membrane, in the second, the joint bag);
- rise in temperature. As a rule, the temperature rises in the affected joints. High body temperature (38-39 degrees) is also observed.
Symptoms intensify the manifestations of the inflammatory process:
- prostration;
- painful urination;
- chills;
- Conjunctivitis.
If the symptoms are ignored, the disease will become chronic. As a result, the work of the internal organs will be disrupted, the modification of the joints can lead to disability.
The most important thing about arthritis
Osteoarthritis is a non-inflammatory disease that causes deformation and destruction of cartilage tissues. Cartilage covers the surface of the joint and prevents the bones from touching each other. When it is in order, a person moves freely and without pain. The causes of the pathology can be different: heredity, deviations in the structure of the joints, injuries, excessive loads. Unlike arthritis, the disease affects only the joints.
Osteoarthritis usually develops in the elderly as joint surfaces wear down with age. The disease is also found in people whose occupation puts a lot of strain on the joints of the hands, wrists and feet. Therefore, arthrosis is also called "athlete's disease" or "pianist's disease".
Arthritis symptoms
The disease is infertile. In the initial stage, symptoms may not appear. The first symptoms of osteoarthritis are usually the following:
- The joint is immobile after sleep or long rest, but this quickly disappears with movement;
- Crunching, fighting, clicks - all this is accompanied by a dull sound;
- Pain during movement and loading.
In the later stages of arthrosis, the symptoms are already noticeable: the joint becomes more immobile, pain appears, and "hard joint" syndrome develops - cartilage soft tissue is replaced by bony formations. The development of the disease leads to immobilization of one or several joints.
Distinctive signs of arthritis and arthrosis
By carefully studying the symptoms and causes of arthrosis and arthritis, you can easily see the difference. We combined the disease differences to make this difference even more obvious.
characteristic sign |
arthrosis |
Arthritis |
affected area |
Joints, cartilage, spaces between bones |
Joints, bones, internal organs: heart, liver, kidneys |
nature of the disease |
Degenerate, destructive. Only the joints are affected |
inflammatory. The disease affects internal organs |
Common reasons |
Increased load on joints, heredity |
Severe infection, metabolic disorders |
age |
It develops in mature or advanced age people. Risk factor - activities associated with excessive stress on the joints |
It develops in people aged 25-40, but it can also be found in adolescents and children |
pain |
Often this is a mild pain that occurs during movement and power loads. In the later stages, the pain becomes more intense. |
The pain is aggravated by movement, most acutely in the early morning. |
convulsions and convulsions |
Deaf clicking, dry crackling or creaking is characteristic |
Does not belong to the characteristics |
deformation |
The joint is deformed, an inflammatory process is manifested |
Rings, swelling, redness and fever appear in the joint area. Deformation occurs if one disease turns into another. |
Reduced mobility |
Arthrosis binds only the affected joint. |
Stiffness in the whole body or in a joint |
Acute symptoms |
The joint "hardens" due to the formation of bony formations. In this case, the person can no longer move the foot or fingers. |
High temperature - 38-39 degrees, conjunctivitis develops, tearing and fever are noted. |
development of symptoms |
It develops slowly, in the initial stage it is asymptomatic |
In the initial stage, symptoms of inflammation appear in the area of the damaged joint. |
Prevention of arthritis and arthrosis
Disease prevention is easier than treatment. Disease prevention includes:
- Moderate physical activity - suitable for fitness, swimming pool, skiing, cycling;
- joint gymnastics - you can do it with a trainer at exercise therapy or stretch your joints at home;
- Proper nutrition - if there is a tendency to bone disease, it is worth giving up red meat and fatty foods. It is better to add more fruits and vegetables, fish and seafood to the diet. If you are overweight, you should follow a diet;
- Drink enough water - 2 liters per day. It is advisable to give up alcohol.
To reduce the risk of the disease, doctors recommend wearing comfortable shoes, do not sit cross-legged, do not get cold and do not succumb to stress.
If you have symptoms that resemble arthritis or arthrosis, make an appointment with our orthopedic center. These diseases significantly reduce the quality of life, so it is important to diagnose them in time and start treatment.