Arthritis and arthritis are complex diseases that affect the joints.Due to similar symptoms, many people believe that these diseases are identical, but this is not the case.Arthritis and arthritis differ in terms of the causes of the disease, the nature of its development, the area of damage and require completely different treatment.
Suppose two people went to the doctor complaining of joint pain.One was diagnosed with arthritis and the other with arthritis.While both patients sat in line, they had time to briefly discuss their health issues.
It turned out that their symptoms are very similar: their joints hurt, they don't bend/unbend with full force, they don't rest either night or day.Even the diagnoses are similar but still different.What is the difference between arthritis and arthritis if both diseases affect the joints?
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joint.Bone or cartilage tissue damage is always preceded by some factor.
Biologically active substances are released from the damaged cells, which trigger an inflammatory reaction.The vessels in the affected area dilate and fill with blood: because of this, cells of the immune system emerge in the joint tissue to fight the destructive agent.
At the same time, the liquid part of the blood leaves the vascular layer and edema is formed, which limits the area of inflammation.This is how the body protects itself from extensive damage from bacteria, foreign bodies and chemicals.
After the complete or partial removal of the pathogen, the healing mechanism begins.If the damage was small, then the normal function of the tissues is restored.Deep defects heal through a scar, an area of raw connective tissue that does not perform the normal function of an organ.
Arthritis goes through all of these stages:
- alteration – damage.
- exudation - edema formation.
- propagation – treatment.
Reasons
There are many causes of the disease, we mention the main ones:
- Streptococcal infection (tonsillitis, scarlet fever) often causes a complication - rheumatism.
- aggressive autoantibodies - proteins the body produces to fight its own tissues.this condition develops when there is an error in the immune defense, due to which it perceives the joints as a foreign element for the body - rheumatoid arthritis.
- a violation of purine metabolism leads to the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints - gout.
- allergic reactions may involve joint tissue with the development of an inflammatory reaction - allergic arthritis.
- Long-term use of certain drugs causes inflammation (isoniazid, D-penicillins, hydralazine, provoinami) - drug-induced arthritis.
- Bacteria are introduced through the bloodstream or during surgery - infectious arthritis.
- a viral or bacterial infection of any site can indirectly affect the joint tissue - this is reactive arthritis.
- acute injury - recent damage (impact, bruises, capsule rupture).
Symptoms
The disease is characterized by an acute initial stage, that is, in the context of full health, a person develops acute pain in the joint.Autoimmune forms are characterized by symmetrical damage to the small joints - interphalangeal joints of the fingers, wrists and elbows.
In the vast majority of cases, gout begins with inflammation of the joint between the big toe and the foot.With bacterial and reactive arthritis, large joints are usually affected on one side: knee, hip, sacrum (at the junction of the spine with the pelvic bones).
Rheumatism develops against a background of fever and general weakness, usually before a sore throat.Severe inflammation of the bones, cartilage tissue and synovium can occur with fever, general poisoning: headache, weakness, lack of appetite.
The skin over the joint becomes red and feels warmer to the touch than other areas.Externally it looks swollen and increases in volume.If the lesion occurs only on one side, then the difference between the healthy limb and the affected one is visible.
Limited movement is associated with swelling and pain.If the joint cavity is slightly inflamed, then it is almost fully functional.With a strong pathological reaction, the entire joint cavity can be filled with fluid - in this case, mobility is severely limited.
Treatment
Treatment is carried out by a general practitioner, rheumatologist or traumatologist - if the cause is mechanical damage.Treatment is aimed at eliminating the causative factor and stopping the inflammation.
For bacterial and reactive arthritis antibiotics are needed, for autoimmune arthritis - cytostatics or glucocorticoids, for allergic arthritis - glucocorticoids and antihistamines.
The inflammatory fluid is removed with a syringe or special suction during arthroscopy.The joint is immobilized for the entire period of acute inflammation.The patient is then given therapeutic exercises to restore joint mobility.
Doctor's advice
From personal practice and the work experience of colleagues, compresses with gelatin have worked well for inflammation in the joints of any etiology.They are easy to implement and inexpensive.You need to fold the gauze in several layers, the length and width should be such that it is enough for the painful joint.Dip the folded gauze in warm water, wring out and straighten.Sprinkle a thin layer of gelatin on top, roll it up so that it ends up inside, like in a bag, and does not spill.Place it in the joint, wrap it with a plastic bag on top and secure it with a bandage and/or adhesive plaster.You can wear the compress up to 3 hours, do it 2 times a day for 2 weeks.Usually the effect is felt on the 4-5th day of use, but the treatment must be continued to achieve the desired effect.if the course is stopped, the pain will return.
What is arthropathy?
Arthritis (also known as osteoarthritis) is a degenerative disease.It is based on deterioration of articular cartilage nutrition, slower recovery and gradual thinning.
Simply put, the cartilage layer is erased faster than it is restored.The bony articular surfaces are exposed.They are not as smooth as cartilage and when they move they rub against each other with force.The bone plates are partially destroyed and mild chronic inflammation develops.
As the disease progresses, bony spines develop in the joint - a protective response of the tissue to continued damage.They prevent the surfaces from sliding between each other and joint mobility is affected.
Arthritis in most people begins to develop after 30-40 years, lasts for years, its symptoms are mild or moderate.
Osteoarthritis of the vertebral joints is commonly called osteochondrosis.
Reasons
There are predisposing factors that cause the development of the pathology at a young age and complicate its course:
- heavy physical activity in athletes.
- portliness;
- history of joint injury;
- vascular diseases;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- violation of the normal formation of the joint, for example, with flat feet.
- prolonged exposure to vibration.
- in women - hormonal imbalance or menopause.
Symptoms
Large joints are usually affected on one side: knee, hip, sacrum.The disease begins unnoticed.Initially, pain is infrequent and associated with significant physical activity.
The discomfort subsides on the same day or after a few days if the person manages to rest.As the disease progresses, the pain intensity increases and occurs even with normal daily activities.
The mobility of the joint gradually decreases and as a result of the disease it is completely lost.Movements in the affected limb cause severe pain.Osteoarthritis can worsen depending on the type of arthritis - fluid accumulates in the joint cavity, the skin above it becomes red and warm.After the inflammatory reaction subsides, the course of the disease returns to its previous course.
Treatment
Treatment of arthropathy is carried out by a traumatologist, orthopedist and sometimes a surgeon.The treatment aims to restore the metabolic processes in the cartilage, improve the nutrition of the joints and eliminate the inflammatory reaction.Treatment is lifelong, can be continuous or series of drugs.
During the interim period, chondroprotectors are prescribed in the form of tablets and ointments, therapeutic exercises and massage.In case of flare-up, chondroprotectors are administered intravenously or intramuscularly along with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.A chiropractor may inject protective drugs directly into the joint every few months.
Advanced stages of the disease require surgery, in which the affected joint is replaced with an artificial one.
Differences between diseases
| Mark | Arthritis | Arthritis |
| Cause of illness | inflammation | Degeneration of cartilage tissue |
| Current | Acute, chronic with exacerbations | Years |
| Pain | Intense from the beginning, more intense in the morning | At the beginning of the disease it is weak, but gradually increases.It increases in the evening and after exercise |
| movements | It is necessary to "disperse" - in the morning after sleep, the joints are less mobile | Mobility decreases gradually, without morning stiffness |
| Affected joints | The small joints of the hands and feet are symmetrically affected.Large ones suffer from bacterial infection | One or more large joints on different sides of the body |
| Blood test | Pronounced inflammatory changes in the general blood test, rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, antibodies to pathogens | No characteristic changes |
| x-ray | Gradual changes, osteoporosis - loss of bone tissue, bone cysts | Gradual changes, deformation of the joint space, appearance of bony spines and estuaries. |
| Basic treatment | Anti-inflammatory drugs | Carboprotectors |
A similar feature of both diseases is the progressive course with gradual loss of mobility.Autoimmune arthritis often manifests itself at a young age, when a person is still careless about their health.
It must be remembered that any pain in the joints that lasts for a long time occurs under certain conditions - this is a serious reason to consult a doctor.It is important to diagnose the disease in time and start its treatment in order to slow down the development of the pathological process.