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Arthritis and arthrosis: what are the similarities of diseases and 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 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 from 30 to 35 years.

joints affected by arthritis and arthrosis

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

Rheumatoid polyarthritis is an actual problem of modern rheumatology. The disease, in addition to the joints, spreads to 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 systems, the joints of the knees, elbows, ankles, and the heart itself. Locally, the disease can affect the internal organs and systems of a person. The disease needs timely treatment. If this is not done, then there will be complications with a fatal outcome.

Main differences

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

arthritis changes:

  • the synovial membrane with fluid, the joint capsule become inflamed;
  • heat;
  • redness in the painful area;
  • two joints hurt at the same time;
  • no joint deformity.

Inflammation of cartilage starts from an infection, injury or disturbance in the metabolic process.

Physiology of arthrosis:

  • modified joint;
  • cartilage tissue worn out with age;
  • inflammation, swelling and redness are not observed;
  • normal temperature;
  • only one joint was affected.

Diseases bring suffering to a person when performing simple actions: bending, bending, straightening, raising legs or arms. The patient hardly sits on 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 need to "disperse" in order to go to the kitchen, overpowering 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 inside 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 the condition of a person can be a specialist who will establish a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Diagnostics

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 for the detection of 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 in full.

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, whether a crunch is heard. What condition are the muscles around the painful joint in?
  2. Bone growths and deformity of the joint helps to see the x-ray.
  3. Analysis and histology of synovial fluid.
  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 joint tissues.

We must not forget about the limitations of physiotherapy exercises:

  1. It is carried out during the period of remission in the absence of severe pain.
  2. In old age, the existing bunch 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 a 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 progress of the disease. And most importantly, do not become disabled.