Osteoarthritis and arthritis are diseases characterized by pathological changes in the joints, however, the difference between arthritis and arthrosis is significant. To understand the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis, it is necessary to consider the etiological factors, pathogenesis, symptoms of arthritis and osteoarthritis. The treatment of osteoarthritis and arthritis also has different approaches.
What is arthritis, arthrosis? How joint injuries manifest in arthritis and osteoarthritis, what's the difference? In osteoarthritis and arthritis, the differences are due to the mechanism of occurrence of pathological changes.
The treatment of osteoarthritis and arthritis is long-term, multicomponent. Often, as a result of untimely treatment, arthritis and arthrosis can be considered successive phases of the pathological process. Having understood what arthritis and osteoarthritis are, we will determine the differences between osteoarthritis and arthritis.
arthritis, classification
Arthritis - due to inflammatory changes, it combines the pathology of the joints themselves and is a symptom of other diseases that occur with their defeat. How to treat arthritis depends on establishing the cause that caused the inflammatory process.
According to the etiological factor, there are:
- Primary - rheumatoid, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Still's disease, others.
- Secondary - complications of an infectious and non-infectious process (reactive with chlamydial infection, hepatitis, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, septic lesions).
By the number of joints affected:
- Monoarthritis - with the defeat of a single joint.
- Polyarthritis - when a group of joints is affected.
By the nature of the course of the disease:
- Acute arthritis - with a vivid clinical picture of inflammatory changes in the connective tissue of the joint.
- Subacute - an intermediate option, the resolution stage of an acute condition.
- Chronic arthritis - with a dull clinical picture, slow course, periods of attenuation and exacerbation.
osteoarthritis, classification
Osteoarthritis deformans, rheumatoid arthrosis or arthrosis is a disease based on degenerative changes associated with the destruction of all joint structures, cartilage, ligaments, muscles, tendons and bones. This is the main difference between arthrosis of the joints and arthritis, leading to irreversible deformities of the affected joint surfaces, dysfunction and patient disability.
- Idiopathic - with no known cause. The pathological process is based on an autoimmune damage mechanism (primary rheumatoid arthrosis in young patients).
- Secondary osteoarthritis is the result of metabolic disorders, trauma, and inflammation. For example, rheumatoid arthritis that came after suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
arthritis, causes
The risk factors are:
- Violation of metabolic processes in the body.
- Hereditary predisposing factor.
- Infectious diseases.
- Immunodeficiency states, the presence of autoimmune diseases, allergic manifestations.
- Increased load on the musculoskeletal system due to professional activity, traumatic component.
Osteoarthritis, causes
Risk factors for developing osteoarthritis are:
- Was. Osteoarthritis is a disease of the elderly, with the exception of rheumatoid arthritis, which occurs in adolescence. According to WHO statistics, about 10% of the world's population suffers from arthropathies.
- Physical overload, injury, excess weight, which increases the load on the joint. Large joints suffer more than others: hip - coxarthrosis, knee - gonarthrosis.
- Hereditary factor: characteristics of metabolic processes, structure of cartilage tissue.
- Previous inflammatory processes without adequate therapy.
arthritis, symptoms
Regardless of the cause of the disease, the signs of the disease have a similar clinical picture in the acute phase of the process and during the period of exacerbation of the chronic course of the disease.
- Pain is the first symptom. It has a different intensity, most of the time it is permanent, it does not depend on physical activity.
- Hyperemia of the skin of the joint area, increased local temperature (the joint area becomes hot to the touch), pronounced swelling.
- The presence of effusion (fluid) in the cavity of the joint bag. The microbiological, cytological examination of the fluid of the inflamed cavity is important for the diagnosis, establishing the causative factor. Knee joints are most commonly affected. The presence of an inflammatory nature of the fluid within the joint capsule is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis of the knee joint.
- Extra-articular manifestations of the underlying disease: fever, vascular injury - vasculitis, heart valves, lung disease - alveolitis, pulmonitis, kidney injury - nephritis, cutaneous manifestations, hematological changes - anemia, increased number of platelets in peripheral blood.
- Limitation of range of motion in the joint, dysfunction.
osteoarthritis, symptoms
The symptoms of arthrosis are caused by prolonged malnutrition, blood supply to the cartilaginous plaque. Cartilage loses its elasticity, becomes thinner, while growths - osteophytes - form from bone tissue within the joint cavity, irreversibly deforming the joint surface, disrupting functionality, causing pain, and significantly limiting mobility.
- Pain. The onset of the disease is characterized by moderate intensity, constant pain. Strengthening pain syndrome is associated with an increase in dystrophic changes in cartilage and deformities. The pain can vary, be temporary: from morning stiffness, to constant and decreasing during the day. A rapid and intense increase in pain is a poor prognostic sign.
- visible deformation.
- Functional disorders: flexion, extension.
- Characteristic crisis when moving.
- The development of joint immobility leads to patient disability.
Osteochondrosis is a common pathological condition of the spine, based on the same changes in cartilage as in osteoarthritis.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of arthritis and arthrosis aims to identify the underlying cause of the disease, determine the degree of activity of the process, assess the prognosis and effectiveness of treatment, and timely diagnose the complications of the disease.
The diagnostic testing complex includes general clinical laboratory tests, instrumental studies of the liver, kidneys, diagnostic X-ray measurements, microscopic and bacteriological studies.
- The distinguishing features of arthritis of various etiologies are: increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, increased level of leukocytes in peripheral blood, which makes it possible to determine the severity of inflammatory changes, increase in C-reactive protein in blood plasma - an important laboratory diagnostic test .
- X-ray examination allows you to see a characteristic image of inflammatory joint surfaces.
- MRI is the most informative method for detecting inflammatory changes within the joint capsule.
- Doppler ultrasound is used.
- In difficult cases, arthroscopy can be performed for differential diagnosis and treatment.
A very informative method that allows to establish a diagnosis, to differentiate arthrosis or arthritis is an X-ray examination. Depending on the identified alterations, the degree of deformation of the intra-articular cartilage and the width of the joint space, four degrees of pathological alterations can be distinguished in arthrosis.
Arthritis, treatment principles
The treatment of arthritis is long-term, the main goal is to cure the disease that caused inflammatory changes in the joint capsule or achieve a long-term recurrence-free course of the disease, prevent the development of irreversible changes, deformities, improve quality and expectation. patients' lives.
For treatment are widely used:
- Medical methods of influence. Depending on the etiological factor, the following are used: antibacterials, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hormones, introduction of anti-inflammatory drugs directly into the joint cavity, in severe forms of rheumatic disease, chemotherapy drugs are prescribed.
- Non-drug treatment. An important role is played by physical therapy exercises, adherence to a diet, healthy lifestyle - quitting smoking, alcohol, physical therapy, timely orthopedic care and correction of existing disorders, prevention of exacerbations of concomitant diseases.
- The surgical method is not the method of choice in treatment. This is a means of helping patients in particularly difficult cases - with the development of serious complications, severe pain syndrome, ineffectiveness of the first two methods of treatment. It has limitations and certain indications for the appointment.
osteoarthritis, treatment
Rheumatoid arthritis is treated in a complex, includes:
- Non-drug therapy. In rheumatoid arthrosis, treatment includes physical therapy exercises, physical therapy, protective regimen, load reduction, diet, weight loss.
- Medical treatment is associated with pain relief. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, hormonal drugs are most often prescribed.
- Surgical methods of treatment: plastic, arthrodesis, prostheses of large joints (knee, hip).
Prevention of exacerbations
Due to the possibility of a prolonged and chronic course of the disease, the development of complications, regardless of the cause of their occurrence, patients are subject to constant observation or long-term, rehabilitation measures designed taking into account individual characteristics and the nature of the disease. illness. the disease.
Important preventive value are:
- Treatment of inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system, a complex of rehabilitation measures after injuries.
- Restriction of loads, healthy lifestyle, adequate rational diet as a factor in the fight against excess weight.
- Timely orthopedic correction of lifelong acquired bone deformities.
Remember, at the first sign of trouble, it is important to contact a specialist in a timely manner. Late initiation of treatment increases the risk of possible negative consequences of the disease.