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

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

joints affected by arthritis and arthrosis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects the cartilage tissues of the ankles, knees, shoulders, hip joints and feet. The progressive form flows into osteoarthritis, which creates limitations in a person's motor activity. The disease can develop in two symmetrical joints at the same time. Sometimes in different, for example, knee and hip on one limb.

Rheumatoid polyarthritis is a current problem of modern rheumatology. The disease, in addition to joints, also spreads to internal organs and muscles. The disease develops symmetrically in 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. At the local level, the disease can affect a person's internal organs and systems. The disease requires timely treatment. If this is not done, then there will be complications with a fatal outcome.

The 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.

arthritis changes:

  • fluid synovial membrane, joint capsule becomes inflamed;
  • heating;
  • redness in the painful area;
  • two joints are injured at the same time;
  • no joint deformity.

Cartilage inflammation starts from an infection, injury or disturbance in the metabolic process.

Physiology of arthrosis:

  • modified node;
  • Cartilage tissue has 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, running, raising legs or arms. The patient barely sits in a chair, goes down the stairs.

signs and symptoms

Diseases have common symptoms:

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

The usual way of life of a sick person is disturbed. Every morning, getting out of bed, you have to "dissolve" in order 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.

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

Diagnosing

It consists in performing 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 describes the diagnosis:

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

The results show the clinical picture of the disease as a whole.

Step-by-step diagnosis of arthrosis:

  1. Visually, the doctor evaluates the mobility of the joint. Whether or not ossified areas are observed in the problem area, if a crackling sound is heard. In what condition are the muscles around the painful joint?
  2. Bone growth and joint deformity help to see X-rays.
  3. Synovial fluid analysis and histology.
  4. Complete blood count.

Physical training

I would like to emphasize that exercise therapy, swimming - effectively help in the prevention and treatment of arthrosis. Physical activity aims to restore joint mobility. Increased blood circulation in the affected area stimulates the cleaning and restoration of joint tissue.

We must not forget about the limitations of physiotherapy exercises:

  1. It is performed during the remission period in the absence of severe pain.
  2. In old age, the existing group of diseases or serious degradation of the joint do not allow to do physical exercises.
  3. Overweight patients are allowed to do a limited amount of exercise without serious load.
  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. With arthrosis, this is a relief of the condition, stopping the progression of the disease. And most importantly, don't be disabled.