Related, sometimes interrelated diseases of the joints - arthritis and osteoarthritis have many similarities and differences. However, it is possible to determine which disease develops in a person only after a series of diagnostic tests. The causes of these pathologies are different, and the treatment of osteoarthritis and arthritis is not the same. The use of alternative therapies for such diseases is not only useless, but also dangerous.
Comparative features
The development of arthritis and osteoarthritis occurs under the influence of various factors. However, these diseases have one thing in common - they have a negative impact on human health, cause unpleasant symptoms and anxiety. Both pathologies provoke joint inflammation, disrupting its activity, as a result of which a person is unable to move normally.
The symptoms of arthritis and osteoarthritis are very similar, but there are also symptoms specific to each disease.
What causes arthritis?
The main causes of joint diseases:
- pathological disorders in the body;
- infectious or autoimmune disease;
- complications after past infections;
- metabolic or metabolic changes.
In rare cases, rheumatoid arthritis or polyarthritis is caused by trauma, a violation of the integrity of the joints. With the development of pathology, inflammation of the synovial membrane and fluid develops. Many lubricants are produced, resulting in swelling of the hands, feet, knees and other joints. Changes are observed in the cartilage tissue - erosion is visible on them. As a result of such pathological processes, the bone is exposed.
Causes of osteoarthritis
The disease is characterized by degenerative and dystrophic changes affecting the cartilage surrounding the articular surfaces of the bone. Pathology is more commonly diagnosed in older people. The main motivating factor is age-related changes, during which physiological thinning and erosion of cartilage occurs. However, sometimes osteoarthritis or osteoarthritis of the arms or legs affects many young people whose lifestyle is associated with excessive physical stress on the joints.
Characteristic symptoms
Sometimes different symptoms help in the early diagnosis of a particular disease. The localization of the disease helps to distinguish which disease develops in the patient:
- Osteoarthritis is characterized by inflammation of the large joints of the foot, knee and thigh. Less often, the pathology affects the joints of the fingers. Even worse, when the disorders affect the intervertebral joints.
- During arthritis, various joints become inflamed. Pathological changes can occur in several asymmetrical joints at the same time, which is not observed in osteoarthritis.
The first signs of arthritis and osteoarthritis of the joints are different. If a person develops arthritis, then the pain is mainly bothersome at rest, at rest or during sleep. When you wake up, you feel stiffness and anxiety. Osteoarthritis causes pain when moving and discomfort in the legs disappears after rest.
Another difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis of the knee joint is the appearance of the diseased joint. Grade 1 osteoarthritis is characterized by the absence of obvious changes, but as the pathology progresses, the joint deforms and cracks. If arthritis develops, the joints in the legs, feet immediately swell and become hot. The patient's general well-being is impaired, he loses weight and his body temperature rises.
Differential Diagnosis
The choice of drugs for the treatment of joints depends on the type of pathology. Therefore, you need to know how to distinguish osteoarthritis from arthritis of the ankle joint. To do this, the patient must undergo a series of diagnostic tests:
- general blood and urine tests;
- biochemical study of plasma;
- rheumatic tests;
- radiography of the affected joints of the arms and legs;
- CT or MRI diagnosis of soft tissues.
treatment
It is recommended to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to treat both pathologies. They provide first aid to diseased joints, relieve inflammation and pain. Effective treatment of osteoarthritis is aimed at the restoration of cartilage. Chondroprotectors, glauric acid, physiotherapy procedures, adjuvant therapy with folk remedies are used.
When arthritis is diagnosed, it is important to eliminate the cause of the inflammation and eliminate the pain. Due to the infectious nature of the disease, drug treatment and antibiotic therapy are used. If the pathology is caused by immune disorders, hormonal drugs and cytostatics are prescribed.
The main contraindications for acute arthritis are massage and physiotherapy.
Home therapy
Folk methods for the treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis include the use of herbs, egg shells, propolis, garlic compresses, decoction of bay leaves. Sometimes traditional medicine suggests using herbs that are more dangerous and more toxic than some medicines. All prescriptions and their ingredients must be agreed with the doctor. Complex treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis should be aimed at stopping inflammatory complications and alleviating the patient's condition.
What is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis?
It is difficult to determine which disease is worse. Both pathologies have similar and different characteristics. The table shows the characteristics of each disease:
| sign | Arthritis | osteoarthritis |
|---|---|---|
| Pain | Sharp, painful, regardless of the nature of the movements | Boring, penetrating, aggravated by movement |
| Morning stiffness | said | Sometimes it is annoying, but it does not last more than 30-40 minutes. |
| Redness and fever | var | Sometimes |
| swelling | Yes | Rarely |
| Crunch, clicks | no | var |
| Deformation | In advanced cases | Yes |
| Restriction of movement | Yes | Yes |