Arthritis and osteoarthritis are diseases that not only sound very similar, but affect the body in the same way: they affect bones, joints, ligaments and cartilage.In both cases, symptoms such as joint pain and difficulty moving also occur.However, there is a pretty big difference between them.We will try to bring some clarity to these concepts.We will explain to you how arthritis and osteoarthritis manifest, what the difference is between these diseases and how they are treated.
Difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis
Arthritis is inflammation of the joints.Osteoarthritis is an age-related change in cartilage tissue (cartilage destruction).
arthritisIt is a very broad term used to describe different types of conditions that cause joint inflammation.Each type of inflammation has its own name, for example, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis, deforming osteoarthritis).Arthritis can occur at any age.
Osteoarthritis (osteoarthrosis, osteoarthritis)- one of the most common types of arthritis, which occurs when cartilage tissue wears away.Our joints are mobile thanks to cartilage, its elasticity and softness.Its destruction causes direct contact between the bones of the joints, causing pain.Osteoarthritis is an age-related change that occurs in old age.
Additionally, arthritis and osteoarthritis have differences in:
- Symptoms
- Risk factors.
- Classifications.
- Diagnosis.
- Treatment.
Symptoms
Arthritis symptoms can also occur with osteoarthritis, but the nature of these symptoms is different.For example, joint pain is present in both cases, but pain with prolonged exertion and stress is common only in osteoarthritis.
arthritis
It is important to understand that the symptoms of one type of arthritis are sometimes completely different from another.But here are some symptoms that are commonly seen in all types of arthritis:
- Pain.It usually hurts at night and may disappear as the duration of movement increases (for example, when walking during the day).
- Edema and swelling.If you have not had any injuries and when comparing both knees or wrists, one of them appears swollen, this may indicate arthritis.
- Sensations of joint displacement.There may be a sensation of the joints moving and pushing against each other.
- Fatigue.With any inflammatory disease, the immune system is activated and begins an active fight, this leads to a general weakening of the body and fatigue.
- Fever and loss of appetite.Inflammation not only reduces energy levels, as mentioned above, but it can also cause fever and loss of appetite.
- Redness and skin rash.They usually appear near inflamed joints.
- Limited range of motion in affected joints.Needless to say, the pain makes any movement difficult.Performing simple household tasks or indulging in your favorite hobby becomes difficult due to acute pain in arthritic joints.
osteoarthritis
These are the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis:
- Pain.Pain is felt in the specific joint affected by osteoarthritis and varies depending on the degree of cartilage damage.The more cartilage is destroyed, the more pain a person will experience.Unlike arthritis, where pain usually appears at night or at rest, pain in osteoarthritis usually appears during the day: when walking, running, etc.Touching the skin over the painful joint can also cause pain.
- Decreased mobility.It is especially noticeable after a long period of inactivity, for example after a night's sleep.
- Crunch.When moving with osteoarthritis, you can hear specific sounds (not a light clicking, but a heavy, harsh sound).This is the result of the breakdown of cartilage, which is designed to provide smooth, painless friction between joints.
- Deformation.With osteoarthritis (especially in the later stages), various deformations of bones and joints can occur: nodules, growths.There is no swelling as there is with arthritis.
Risk factors
Some factors may be the same for both diseases, while others are different.
- Age.One of the most common risk factors.As you age, your chances of developing osteoarthritis or other types of arthritis increase tenfold.In this case, osteoarthritis mainly affects older people and arthritis can appear at any age.
- Weight.The heavier a person is, the more pressure their joints receive.This increases the chances of developing osteoarthritis and arthritis.
- Injury.The risk of suffering from osteoarthritis at an early age increases if you have previously suffered bone or joint injuries.
- Genetics.If many family members suffered from osteoarthritis, there is a high probability that you also suffer from this disease.However, your genetics do not increase your chances of getting arthritis.
- Activity.If you constantly do a job that requires you to put a lot of pressure on your bones, joints, and cartilage, your chances of developing osteoarthritis increase.
By the way, a research group at the University of Oxford recently discovered a marker in the blood that can identify the risk of developing arthritis before the onset of symptoms, even at a young age (up to 16 years).
Classification
arthritis
- Osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis) is the most common type of arthritis and develops due to wear and tear of cartilage and painful friction between joints.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: This type of arthritis usually affects all joints in the body except the lower back.It is an autoimmune disease whose causes are not fully understood.A person can get sick at any age (even small children suffer from the disease).
- Ankylosing spondylitis primarily affects the spine.It develops in the vertebrae and discs.This is an autoimmune disease.
- Cervical arthritis occurs for various reasons, but the main one is age.About 85% of people over 80 years of age suffer from this disease.
- Gout is a rare type of arthritis that causes inflammation of several joints.This disease occurs due to increased levels of uric acid in the blood.Gout is now rare.
- Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis characterized by inflammation of the skin and joints.With this disease, inflammation of the tendons and cartilage is observed;The eyes, lungs and even the aorta can also suffer.
- Reactive arthritis occurs as the body's response to an attack by bacteria and infections.The causative agents are intestinal and genitourinary infections.The disease causes swelling of the fingers and toes and lower back pain.
- Juvenile arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects children under 16 years of age.It leads to the destruction of bones and joints, development and growth problems.
- Post-traumatic arthritis: arises as a result of previous injuries (fractures, cracks, sprains).
osteoarthritis
There are the following types of osteoarthritis:
- Cervical osteoarthritis affects the cervical vertebrae, occurs in old age and can be caused by stress and chronic neck diseases.Symptoms include neck pain and muscle spasms.
- Facet syndrome is more common among older adults and causes back pain, especially when the person is in an upright position.Poor posture can cause facet syndrome.
- Coxarthrosis is osteoarthritis of the hip joint.The hip joint is a hinge joint and is one of the strongest in the body.However, in old age it wears out and coxarthrosis also often occurs in athletes and overweight people.
- Lumbar osteoarthritis affects the lower back area.It can be caused by scoliosis and abdominal obesity (accumulation of fatty tissue in the upper torso).
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of both joint diseases includes:
- Survey.When the pain occurred, in which joint, nature and duration of pain, occupation, in which cases the pain intensifies, past infectious diseases, injuries, etc.
- Visual inspection and palpation.Inspection for visible signs: swelling, redness, nodules.
- Analysis.
- X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging.
What is the difference between diagnosing arthritis and osteoarthritis?Because arthritis is an inflammatory disease, the inflammation will be visible in a blood test.The evidence for osteoarthritis is clear;X-rays or MRIs are usually used for diagnosis.
Treatment
arthritis
There are different treatment options depending on the severity of the disease.The main goal of arthritis treatment is to eliminate the cause of joint inflammation.
- Medications.Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis may require a combination of different medications.In addition to pain relievers, your doctor may also prescribe a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, antibiotics, and hormonal medications to reduce pain.
- Lifestyle adjustments: diet and exercise to relieve pressure on joints.It is necessary to consume foods rich in calcium (to promote bone strength) and rich in protein (to develop strong muscles).
- Surgical intervention.Surgeries range from minor procedures to major surgeries (joint replacement).
osteoarthritis
The main goal of osteoarthritis treatment is to restore damaged cartilage.Treatment includes:
- Medicines in tablets are chondroprotective.
- Injections: corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid to reduce inflammation and increase mobility.
- Massage therapy.The following essential oils are especially effective: orange, ginger, lavender, rosemary, sandalwood and eucalyptus.
- Therapeutic gymnastics.
- Surgery: Damaged joints can be replaced with artificial ones to reduce pain and improve mobility.
- Lifestyle adjustments: diet and exercise to relieve pressure on joints.It is necessary to consume foods rich in calcium (to promote bone strength) and rich in protein (to develop strong muscles).
Conclusions
- Arthritis is inflammation of the joints.Osteoarthritis is an age-related change in cartilage tissue (cartilage destruction).
- Osteoarthritis occurs in older people (50+) (it can also occur at a young age, but very rarely and after a serious injury).Arthritis can occur at any age (even in children).
- With osteoarthritis, the joints hurt during physical activity.With arthritis, the pain occurs at night.
- With osteoarthritis, pain increases during movement, with arthritis it decreases.
- Osteoarthritis most commonly affects the knee and hip joints.Arthritis can occur in any joint;Several distant joints may hurt or just one.
- Arthritis, as an inflammatory disease, can be diagnosed by a blood test, osteoarthritis cannot.