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Arthritis and arthrosis: what are the similarities and differences of the diseases

What is the difference between rheumatoid diseases from each other? How to detect the problem in time?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic inflammatory disease of the connective tissue, in which the patient affects small joints (elbows, knees, hands and feet) in an erosive-destructive type. The result is erosion of the bone and its subsequent deformation. Over time, the symptoms of the disease worsen and lead to disability. About 60 million people worldwide suffer from this disease. Diseases are more often affected by women, whose average age is 30 to 35 years.

joints affected by arthritis and arthrosis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects the cartilage tissues of the ankle, knee, shoulder, hip joints and feet. The progressive form flows into arthrosis, which creates restrictions on a person's motor activity. The disease can develop simultaneously in two symmetrical joints. Sometimes in different, for example, knee and hip joint of one limb.

Rheumatoid polyarthritis is an actual problem of modern rheumatology. The disease, in addition to the joints, covers the internal organs and muscles. The disease develops symmetrically on both arms or legs. The disease often leads to disability.

Rheumatism affects the connective tissue of the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal system, knee joints, elbows, ankles and the heart itself. Locally, the disease can affect a person's internal organs and systems. The disease requires prompt treatment. If this is not done, then there will be complications with a fatal outcome.

Main differences

Patients come to the doctor with complaints of joint discomfort, pain and limited mobility. The symptoms of arthritis and arthrosis are similar, but there are characteristic differences.

changes in arthritis:

  • the synovial membrane with fluid, the joint capsule becomes inflamed;
  • warmth;
  • redness of the painful area;
  • two joints hurt at the same time;
  • absence of joint deformation.

Cartilage inflammation starts from an infection, injury, or metabolic disorder.

Physiology of arthrosis:

  • modified joint;
  • cartilaginous tissue worn away with age;
  • inflammation, swelling and redness are not observed;
  • normal temperature;
  • only one joint is affected.

Diseases bring suffering to a person when performing simple actions: bending, stooping, standing up, lifting legs or arms. The patient has difficulty sitting in a chair, going down the stairs.

Signs and symptoms

Diseases have common symptoms:

  • difficulty walking;
  • the presence of pain in the area of inflammation;
  • poor mobility of the problem area.

The usual lifestyle of a sick person is disrupted. Every morning, getting out of bed, you have to "spread" to go to the kitchen, overcoming the pain.

What is more dangerous

Diseases bring a lot of pain and trouble to the patient.

Arthritis occurs due to inflammation in the body. He is being treated. It is important to contact a specialist in time, and not wait for bone erosion and other complications.

Osteoarthritis is a "disease of the elderly" with changes in the interior of the joint. The worn cartilage thins. Synovial fluid, which is the source of tissue nutrition, is not restored. The consequences of the disease are irreversible. To alleviate the condition of a person can be a specialist who will establish a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Diagnosis

It consists in carrying out various procedures and activities. During the examination, the doctor finds out from the patient with arthritis information about past infections and injuries. Determines the course of the disease and prescribes diagnostics:

  1. Blood test to detect uric acid.
  2. Ultrasound of the joints.
  3. X-ray of the affected area.
  4. CT.
  5. Arthroscopy.

The results show the complete clinical picture of the disease.

Step-by-step diagnosis of arthrosis:

  1. Visually, the doctor assesses the mobility of the joint. Whether or not ossified areas are seen in the problem area, whether a crunch is heard. What is the condition of the muscles around the painful joint?
  2. Bony growths and deformity of the joint help to see on X-rays.
  3. Synovial fluid analysis and histology.
  4. Complete blood count.

Physical training

I would like to note that exercise therapy, swimming - effectively help in the prevention and treatment of arthrosis. Physical activity is aimed at restoring joint mobility. Increasing the movement of blood flow in the affected area stimulates the cleaning and restoration of the joint tissues.

We must not forget about the limitations of physical therapy exercises:

  1. It is carried out in the period of remission in the absence of severe pain.
  2. In old age, the existing set of diseases or serious degradation of the joint do not allow physical exercises.
  3. Overweight patients are allowed to do limited exercise without serious exertion.
  4. The effect of exercise therapy is regular exercise alternating with periods of rest for the joint.

Rheumatoid diseases are treated by rheumatologists and orthopedic traumatologists. Early diagnosis and proper treatment will allow you to live without complications. A patient who seeks help in time will have a chance to continue to exist normally. In arthrosis, this is alleviation of the condition, stopping the progress of the disease. And most importantly, do not become disabled.