Arthritis and osteoarthritis: what are the differences and what are the methods of treatment

Knee pain in arthritis and osteoarthritis

Our joints are complex and reliable mechanisms that nature itself has created. Their work is invisible as long as the joints are healthy. But when they start to hurt, the world loses its old luster. Arthritis and osteoarthritis are one of the most common joint diseases. Many people confuse them and sometimes do not know at all what the differences are, because in both cases the joints hurt. Similar names are also misleading. In this post, we will tell you how arthritis is different from osteoarthritis, the symptoms of these diseases and the methods of treatment. Despite the similarity of names, these are completely different diseases.

What are arthritis and osteoarthritis: the differences

First of all, diseases differ in their names: they both have the same Latin root, but different endings. Already by the designation of the end you can remember what is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis. The Latin ending "-oz" denotes a degenerative process, destruction. The ending "-it" indicates an inflammatory process. The difference between osteoarthritis and arthritis is obvious: diseases have a completely different nature and course. But let's understand in more detail what osteoarthritis and arthritis are and what symptoms accompany them.

Osteoarthritis is the result of aging and deterioration of the joint

Osteoarthritis is the deformation and abrasion of the joint capsule, which allows the joint to move easily. The disease causes structural changes, damage to cartilage and destruction of its tissues. Typically, osteoarthritis occurs after 45 to 50 years of age and is the result of the body's natural aging process. In people over the age of 60, the disease is diagnosed in 80% with complaints of pain in the legs.

Osteoarthritis of the knee in an elderly woman

In young people, osteoarthritis most often develops as a post-traumatic phenomenon, for example after fractures and bruises. It is often diagnosed in professional athletes.

Often times, osteoarthritis affects the knee, ankle and hip joints, which are the ones that experience the most stress on a daily basis. Musicians often suffer from wrist and finger joints. By itself, osteoarthritis progresses slowly, therefore, in the early stages the symptoms are less pronounced.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

  • the main symptom is pain, which manifests itself during movement and after physical exertion. As a rule, the pain in osteoarthritis is aching, not very strong and disappears when resting, in a comfortable position;

  • Frequent cracking - a deep sound that occurs as a result of rubbing bones;

  • the stiffness of the movements is local, only the movement of the diseased joint is disturbed;

  • appearance - there may be deformation of the cartilage, in the later stages, a slight swelling.

Types of osteoarthritis

  1. Primary - results from the natural aging process of the joint.

  2. Secondary - develops against the background of trauma, as a post-traumatic manifestation.

Arthritis is a serious disease of the body

While osteoarthritis is usually diagnosed in people over the age of 45, arthritis can occur at any age. As we have said, this is an inflammatory process that takes place in the joints, but affects the whole body at once. The disease is associated with dysfunctions of the immune system.

Why do the joints hurt? The point is that the immune bodies produced in this disease attack the joints. Therefore, with arthritis, all joints can hurt: several at a time or just one. Arthritis most often appears after severe stress, anxiety, against the background of decreased immunity and hypothermia, as well as as a result of metabolic disorders.

Inflammation with redness in the knee joint - a sign of arthritis

Symptoms of arthritis

  • pain in arthritis, unlike pain in osteoarthritis, decreases during movement, but increases and becomes chronic at rest. Most often, the pain intensifies at night or in the early morning, at rest;

  • the joints swell, there is swelling, swelling, painful palpation;

  • the joint area becomes red and hot;

  • an inflammatory reaction is noted in blood tests;

  • stiffness throughout the body, stiffness of movement;

  • the appearance of dense nodules in the joint area.

Arthritis is also often accompanied by such manifestations:

  • dry eye;

  • weakness, chills, drowsiness;

  • psoriasis;

  • weather dependence.

Types of arthritis

Depending on the nature of the disease, arthritis is divided into 2 types: inflammatory and degenerative. In turn, they are also divided into types.

Inflammatory arthritis can be:

  • infectious - inflammation of the joints caused by microorganisms that have entered the synovial fluid;

  • rheumatoid - an inflammatory process that affects the connective tissues around the joint, as well as many organs;

  • reactive - develops as a result of infection;

  • gout is an inflammation of the joints associated with an increase in uric acid in the blood and, as a result, the deposition of salts.

Degeneration occurs:

  • traumatic;

  • osteoarthritis.

What is more dangerous: arthritis or osteoarthritis?

There is no definitive answer to this question. Because both diseases, without prompt treatment, can lead to complete loss of the ability to move. Osteoarthritis can be a consequence of arthritis. But long-term osteoarthritis can also lead to arthritis.

Treatment of osteoarthritis and arthritis: features

Joint pain deprives a person of the simplest joys: an ordinary walk, the opportunity to fully rest, freedom of movement. However, it is not always possible to recognize an alarming manifestation of this symptom in time. Often people think that this is a temporary phenomenon and try to get rid of the pain faster: they self-medicate, take medication or use traditional methods. But, having received short-term relief, they do not know the main thing - the causes of the disease. Thus, the disease worsens and takes more severe and neglected forms.

The main recommendation of doctors is not to delay the visit to a specialist. Only a thorough examination and treatment will prevent serious consequences. The opportunity to live and move fully is at stake here.

Osteoarthritis is treated by orthopedists, neurologists and rheumatologists. The main method is to reduce the load on the diseased joint, increase the elasticity of the tissues and strengthen the muscles. In more severe cases, special injections of hyaluronic acid are prescribed, which helps to lubricate the joint, or the so-called arthroplasty is performed.

However, no cure has yet been found to completely restore cartilage tissue. Competent treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis can only stop the destruction. The main methods of treating joint disease are physiotherapy exercises and physiotherapy procedures.

Physiotherapy treatment for osteoarthritis and arthritis

Arthritis is treated by a rheumatologist. The course of rehabilitation depends on its specific type, but it is rarely possible to do without special anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics. Hormonal drugs are sometimes prescribed. The treatment regimen is usually as follows:

  • analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs;

  • physiotherapy;

  • proper nutrition, diet, restoration of metabolic processes;

  • drug treatment if internal organs are affected.

Prevention is the foundation of healthy joints

Like any disease, joint disease can be prevented. First of all, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle, eat well, and avoid stress.

If we specifically consider the recommendations, then clinic specialists note:

  1. Weight control - in order not to put excessive pressure on the joints, you should always monitor the normal weight.

  2. Moderate physical activity. They improve blood circulation, strengthen the muscle corset, which is very important for maintaining healthy joints. However, the key word here is sweet, as sprains, injuries, weight training, and strenuous sports only accelerate the process of joint destruction. For the joints, swimming, biking and Nordic walking are considered the best activities.

  3. Correct balanced diet. To prevent joint disease, doctors recommend reducing the amount of red meat in the diet, as well as foods high in animal fat. But oily fish and products containing omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids should instead be included in the menu as much as possible. In addition, emphasis should be placed on fresh fruits and vegetables, to maintain water balance.

  4. Wear comfortable shoes or orthopedic insoles.

  5. Strengthen the immune system, in particular, avoid hypothermia and avoid stress.

To be in a good health!