Osteoarthritis and arthritis affect the joints and have similar symptoms. Therefore, they are often confused. Even their names are consonant, however, they are completely different diseases. If arthrosis destroys the joints, then arthritis causes an inflammatory process throughout the body. This is the main difference between osteoarthritis and arthritis. Now in more detail.
The most important thing about arthritis
Arthritis is a progressive disease that is provoked by infection, disorders of the immune or metabolic system, hormonal disorders. There are over 200 varieties. The main symptom of arthritis is inflammation in the joint area, swelling, redness of the skin. In advanced form, the disease brings complications to the heart, kidneys and liver. At risk are people from 25 to 40 years old.
Symptoms of arthritis
The disease can be hidden. The first signs of arthritis are usually:
- Pain. It comes on suddenly and gets worse with movement. It is felt more intensely at night, after sleep one feels stiffness;
- Tissue changes. Arthritis is characterized by swelling and redness of the skin, synovitis and bursitis are possible (in the first case, this is inflammation of the synovial membrane, in the second, articular bag);
- Increase in temperature. As a rule, the temperature rises in the affected joints. A high body temperature (38-39 degrees) can also be observed.
Symptoms aggravate 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 and the modification of the joints can lead to disability.
The most important thing about arthritis
Osteoarthritis is a non-inflammatory disease that leads to deformation and destruction of cartilage tissue. Cartilage covers the surface of the joint and prevents the bones from touching each other. When it is in order, the 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 only affects the joints.
Osteoarthritis usually develops in older people, as joint surfaces wear down with age. The disease is also found in people whose profession puts a lot of strain on the joints of the hands, wrists and feet. Therefore, arthrosis is also called "disease of athletes" or "disease of pianists".
Symptoms of arthritis
The disease is indolent. In the initial stage, symptoms may not appear. The first symptoms of osteoarthritis are usually as follows:
- The wrist is immobile after sleep or long rest, but this quickly disappears with movement;
- Chewing, noise, clicks - all this is accompanied by a dull sound;
- Pain during movement and exertion.
In the later stages of arthrosis, the symptoms are already visible: the joint becomes more immobile, pain appears, and the "hard joint" syndrome also develops - the soft cartilage tissue is replaced by bone growths. The development of the disease leads to the immobilization of one or more 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 have combined the disease differences to make this difference even more visible.
distinguishing mark |
arthrosis |
Arthritis |
affected area |
Joints, cartilage, space between bones |
Joints, bones, internal organs: heart, liver, kidneys |
The nature of the disease |
Degenerate, destructive. Only the joints are affected |
Inflammatory. The disease affects internal organs |
Common causes |
Increased stress on joints, heredity |
Severe infection, metabolic disorder |
Age |
It develops in people of mature or advanced age. Risk factor - activities related to excessive stress on joints |
It develops between the ages of 25-40, but it also appears in teenagers and children |
Pain |
Often this is a mild pain that occurs during movement and energy loads. In the later stages, the pain becomes stronger. |
The pain is aggravated by movement, most acutely felt early in the morning. |
Crunch and crackle |
Dull clicks, dry crackling or crackling are characteristic |
It does not belong to the characteristics |
Deformation |
The connection is deformed, an inflammatory process is manifested |
There are seals, swelling, redness and fever in the joint area. Deformation occurs if one disease has developed into another. |
Decreased mobility |
Osteoarthritis involves only the affected joint. |
Stiffness in the whole body or in one joint |
Acute symptoms |
The joint "hardens" due to the formation of bony growths. In this case, the person can no longer move the leg or the fingers. |
High temperature - 38-39 degrees, conjunctivitis develops, there is a breakdown and fever |
Development of symptoms |
It develops slowly, in the initial stage it is asymptomatic |
In the initial stage, there are symptoms of inflammation in the area of the affected joint. |
Prevention of arthritis and arthrosis
The disease is easier to prevent than to treat. Disease prevention includes:
- Moderate physical activity - fitness, swimming pool, skiing, cycling are suitable;
- Joint gymnastics - you can do it with a trainer in exercise therapy or stretch the joints at home;
- Proper nutrition - if there is a tendency to bone disease, it is worth giving up red meat and high-fat foods. It is better to add more fruits and vegetables, fish and seafood to the diet. If you are overweight, you must follow a diet;
- Drink enough water - 2 liters a day. It is advised to give up alcohol.
To reduce the risk of the disease, doctors recommend wearing comfortable shoes, not sitting cross-legged, not getting cold and not being stressed.
If you are experiencing symptoms that resemble arthritis or arthrosis, make an appointment at our Orthopedic Center. These diseases significantly reduce the quality of life, so it is important to diagnose them in time and start treatment.