Arthritis and arthrosis are two pathologies that affect the musculoskeletal system, namely the joints. The etiology and pathogenesis of these diseases are different, but the end result is the same: damage to the joints (cartilaginous tissue, meniscus, intra-articular structure and tendon-muscular corset) with soft tissue inflammation, violation of the anatomical structure and physiological destruction.
Separately, these pathologies represent: arthritis is an inflammatory process, with the involvement of a certain group of enzymes, the purpose of which is to destroy the connective tissue of the joints. Arthrosis is the destruction of the joints, that is, irreversible phenomena with complete or partial deformation of all articular components with a limitation in the biomechanics of the organ. In the exclusion of these pathologies plus the implementation of proper prevention, you need to know everything about arthritis and arthrosis, what is the difference than to treat.
Specificity, difference and causes
The difference between arthritis and arthrosis is as follows: arthritis can be eliminated with medication, and arthrosis with medication plus surgery and only after the main cause has been eliminated, such as concomitant diseases, metabolic disorders or injuries. Inflammation of the joint or arthritis may occur after mechanical injury, long walking or vertical load. The process involves any joint (upper and lower extremities plus all joints that make up the chest and spinal column) with a single or paired lesion. Inflammation attracts not only the articular components, but also all layers of surrounding tissues, this fact depends on the depth of the lesion. With high-quality treatment, inflammation is eliminated, and cartilage tissue is gradually restored.
Destructive pathology of the joints or arthrosis can be stopped only after the treatment of the underlying disease or the correction of metabolism or hormonal composition. The disease consists in partial or complete abrasion of the cartilage plate. The exposed bone is covered with osteophytes, which create unbearable pain when moving. Further, the joint loses its biomechanical ability, this is often the fault of the patient - he tries to spare the diseased joint, which is quickly ankylosed. It is this fact that explains the difference between arthrosis and arthritis: with arthritis, the ability of movement returns to the joint (unless the anatomical structure of the organ of movement was disturbed due to an accident or an infectious-inflammatory disease), and with arthrosis, the physiological ability to move is partially restored in the first degreelesions, and at an advanced stage - only surgically.
Causes leading to the development of arthritis and arthrosis:
- Arthritis is caused by: mechanical injuries (bruises, blows, open and closed fractures with or without the involvement of a microbial infection), constant physical activity (running, walking, jumping, weight lifting) and physicochemical factors (a sharp temperature drop with hypothermia or overheatingjoints). Allergies and poisoning are also included in the group of causes that cause the disease. In childhood, arthritis is the result of beriberi and reduced immunity, as well as frequent injuries, especially of the joints of the lower extremities.
- Arthrosis has a wide range of causes, namely: hereditary diseases of the connective tissue, an increased background of allergic reactions, autoimmune diseases, a rheumatic component, metabolic disorders, diabetes mellitus, thyrotoxicosis, chronic diseases of the liver and kidneys, as well as changes in the hormonal composition of female and male hormones (estrogen and androgen). Sarcoma or carcinoma is one of the malignant neoplasms leading to a destructive process in bone tissue and cartilage plates. Intoxication of the body with poisons or increased radiation is a clear mechanism for the development of arthrosis.
Important! After diagnostic manipulations, it becomes clear where arthritis and arthrosis are, what is the difference and how to treat. Folk remedies can drown out the inflammatory process, but it is impossible to get rid of the disease, so consult a doctor!
Symptoms of joint diseases
Clinical symptoms: what is the difference between arthritis and arthrosis
| Arthritis | Arthrosis |
| Inflammation of the joint with its local redness + edematous increase in size. | Inflammatory processes extend not only to the diseased joint area, but also to the surrounding soft tissues with a violation of the anatomical structure of the joints. |
| Pain syndrome: throbbing pain when walking and at rest. | The pain has a varied character: throbbing, sharp and aching. Partially subsides with a certain posture. |
| Temporary restriction of movement (complete or partial immobilization). | Permanent restriction in movement. Plus: sparing or facilitating provisions are characteristic. At the last stage of the disease, the joint is completely paralyzed (it is impossible to unbend, bend and rotate the joint). |
| An increase in temperature over the affected joint. | The temperature above the joint is normal (36. 6 degrees). With destruction involving infection or pinching of the nerves, the body temperature rises to 37-38 degrees, especially at night. |
| Radiating pain to neighboring organs and systems, depending on location | Characterized by irradiation of pain. |
| With a microbial infection, an increased body temperature of up to 38-39 degrees is observed. | Infectious agents rarely join. |
| The change of weather does not affect the diseased organ. | Painful joints react to weather conditions. |
| The patient has pain in one joint. | With arthrosis, several joints or the entire system of the musculoskeletal system can hurt. |
Attention! When the first symptoms of inflammation appear in the joints of the fingers, there is no need to endure pain and wait for joint deformation - this will lead to irreversible processes in the form of anatomical changes and physiological disorders.
To the question: "arthritis and arthrosis, what is the difference in the fingers? ", There is a reliable answer: a weakening of the grip of the fingers, a decrease in their sensitivity and unbearable pain during physical exertion that does not go away after a night's rest. Treatment is medical only.
The difference between arthrosis and arthritis of the knee joint is as follows: in arthritis, the pathology is eliminated after a course of treatment according to the therapeutic regimen, and the biomechanics of the joint after rehabilitation is restored. With arthrosis, depending on the degree of damage, biomechanics is subject to partial restoration only after a surgical operation with correction of the articular structure.
These pathologies affect all joints, including the joints of the toes. Arthritis and arthrosis what is the difference in toes from fingers? The fingers on the lower extremities undergo the same changes as on the hands: inflammation, swelling and pain. In arthrosis, the joints undergo destruction and deformation. The anatomical shape changes, when moving, a sharp or aching pain is felt. It is difficult to step on, after a long walk, the pain does not stop. It subsides only after an injection of an analgesic.
Similar and different facts
Similarities of joint pathologies:
- Source of pathology (joints).
- Symptoms with a clinical picture.
- Diagnostic studies.
- Preventive actions.
- Recovery period.
- Drug therapy, exercise therapy and physiotherapy.
- Forecast.
Distinguishing factors:
| Arthritis | Arthrosis |
| It has an acute and chronic course. | Chronic degenerative character. |
| One joint hurts. | The joints are affected in pairs or systemically. |
| The pain syndrome completely disappears after medical therapy and rehabilitation. | The pain will always be present, subside only with a certain position of the body and the administration of strong analgesics. |
| Both adults and children get sick. | Pathology is typical for elderly people or patients with chronic diseases that occur with hormonal disorders or with changes in metabolism. |
| Pathology is more often characteristic of the ankle and elbow joints. | All joints are affected at the same time. |
| It is a separate disease. | It is a consequence or complication of chronic concomitant diseases. |
| Temporary restriction of movement. | Permanent limitation of joint biomechanics. |
| The disease has a certain etiology - trauma or stress. Rarely there is intoxication or an allergy of the body. | Age-related changes or chronic diseases. |
| Rehabilitation is short without exacerbations. | Rehabilitation is long with exacerbations. |
Patients often ask themselves the question: which doctor treats arthritis and arthrosis? With such pathologies, you need to contact a traumatologist, a rheumatologist (if the pathology is of a rheumatoid nature) or a surgeon. Before consulting with such doctors, you need to be examined by the attending physician at the clinic at the place of residence, take laboratory tests (general and biochemical), take x-rays in three projections, MRI plus computed tomography. Next, take a referral for further consultation by specialists in pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.
Medical tactics
Having found some symptoms in themselves or having an already established diagnosis in their hands, all patients are looking for information: "Arthritis and arthrosis treatment with medications. "This is the right tactic, but the treatment should be prescribed only by the attending physician and under his strict supervision.
Arthritis - treatment
Therapeutic tactics begins after a thorough instrumental and laboratory examination. It depends on the form and stage of the pathology, so the treatment method is chosen individually, namely:
- drugs that relieve pain cider, up to drugs of the narcotic group, depending on the intensity of pain;
- nonsteroidal drugs;
- drugs of the COX1 or COX2 group (non-selective enzyme inhibitors) are prescribed;
- antispasmodics;
- muscle relaxants;
- chondroprotectors;
- vitamins: B12, B1, B6, A, D, PP;
- antioxidants: vitamin C;
- drugs that increase immunity;
- desensitizers;
- massage and exercise therapy.
Reducing physical activity, exclusion from the diet of excessive consumption of salt and pepper, fried foods and fatty foods, as well as alcohol + smoking are integral components of therapeutic therapy. In diabetes - strictly follow a diet and take medications that regulate sugar levels.
Important! For the effective treatment of arthritis of any etiology (including the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis), a vitamin medication is recommended. It contains a certain dosage of B1, B6 and B12.
What is the essence of the effectiveness of vitamins B1, B6 and B12 in the treatment of arthritis? Thiamine relieves pain by reducing nervous excitability. Pyridoxine - stimulates the sphingolipids of nerve fibers, plus increases the level of metabolism of the musculoskeletal system, improving the metabolism of amino acid components. Cyanocobalamin: acts on brain neurons, improves the production of red blood cells.
Arthrosis - treatment
Several points are added to the indicated scheme for the treatment of arthritis, namely:
- potent analgesics to relieve pain;
- corticosteroid drugs;
- novocaine blockade;
- intra-articular injections of drugs that restore cartilage tissue;
Surgery is the best treatment option. First, this method of treatment eliminates the destructive components of the joint, artificially increases the substance that replaces the cartilage. Secondly, arthroplasty of the diseased joint is performed. The rehabilitation period after surgery depends on the volume of the postoperative zone and the individual physiological abilities of the body.
For both pathologies, local treatment with ointments + gels based on painkillers, hormones and chondroprotectors is recommended. No need to ask yourself the question "arthritis and arthrosis, what is the difference than to treat ointments" - these drugs are prescribed for both diseases.
Folk remedies for arthritis and arthrosis
As soon as some joint became inflamed, everyone starts looking for information: arthritis and arthrosis, what is the difference between treatment with folk remedies. Arthritis or arthrosis allows you to include some folk remedies in the therapeutic regimen. But! These healing substances are used only in parallel with complex therapy. They are able to eliminate pain and reduce inflammation. Traditional medicine is powerless to completely eradicate the disease.
- Propolis tincture: dissolve 50g of propolis in 100ml of vodka, leave for a week. Tincture rub sore joints 3-5 times a day. The course of treatment until complete recovery.
- Garlic tincture: Pass 5 heads of large garlic through a meat grinder, add a spoonful of honey and 50 ml of pure alcohol. Insist 10 days. Rub sore spots 2 times a day. After rubbing, put a bag on top, leaving for an hour.
- Caucasian hellebore: one spoonful of hellebore powder + a spoonful of bee honey + a spoonful of mustard powder and melted lard. Stir thoroughly and leave in a warm and dark place for 10 days. Then use as an ointment.
- Birch buds: pour 200 g of dry powder of birch buds into 0. 5 liters of boiling water, insist for a day. It is recommended to drink 50 ml once or twice a day before meals.
- Burdock root tincture: crushed root is poured with a liter of vodka, infused for a month. This tincture wipes the joints.
Prevention
Preventive measures are aimed at preserving the cartilage layer plus the functionality of the joint throughout life. To do this, do the following:
- Consider a nutritious diet, excluding fried foods, fatty + peppery, as well as salty, alcohol + nicotine.
- Use natural chondroprotectors in the form of jelly and jellies.
- Constantly be examined.
- Avoid heavy physical exertion.
- Be careful, excluding joint injuries.
- Do morning exercises, run, swim.
- Perform daily exercises for the joints of the limbs.
- Constantly drink vitamins.
- For preventive purposes, take chondroprotectors, calcium, potassium plus other minerals once every six months.
- After sprained joints or mechanical injury, be examined by a doctor.
Arthrosis and arthritis are related diseases, so everyone needs to know what arthritis and arthrosis are, what is the difference between what to treat. Both pathologies cannot be completely cured, especially arthrosis, which leads to immobilization of the joints. But, timely treatment will help eliminate disability and live a full life. And we must remember that folk remedies are not the main medicines, but auxiliary ones, which have their advantages after complex treatment.