Arthritis and osteoarthritis negatively affect the patient's full life. When signs of the described joint lesions appear, people come to hasty conclusions. They can make mistakes, confuse the indicated pathologies. It is important to remember that the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis of the knee is significant. Let's consider the more detailed characteristics of each disease. We will learn their differences, as well as how osteoarthritis differs from knee joint gonarthrosis.
Terminology extension
Arthritis and osteoarthritis are considered related words. Both mean joint damage. Due to the agreement of terms, patients often perceive them as synonyms. This approach is wrong. To know how arthritis differs from knee arthrosis, you need to consider the characteristics of each.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is represented by deformity of the joints. Pathology is considered age. It is more common in elderly patients. It is also found in people under the age of 40. More often its appearance is caused by severe joint injuries, fractures. The risk group is represented by athletes. Read more about osteoarthritis of the knee.Arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammatory pathology that develops in a joint. Usually its appearance is manifested by a deterioration in the work of the relationship. The whole body is inflamed. The disease can flare up in any joint. It can also cover several connections at once. Learn more about knee arthritis.The difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis
The difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is the nuance that immune failure is considered a provocateur of inflammation. It can manifest:
- Stressful situation; Hypothermia;
- Delayed flu.
Inflammation is caused by infectious agents, metabolic disorders and immune disorders. With the enhanced function of the body’s defense system, the immune system works against itself.
Signs of arthritis
This joint pathology is manifested by the main and additional signs. The main ones are:
- Joint pain. It is strong, burning at night;
- Redness of the dermis on the affected joint, swelling.
Additional signs of inflammatory disease are noticed:
- night pains, manifested by complete rest;
- pain relief when moving;
- morning stiffness. It passes after an hour;
- redness, swelling of the knees;
- attacks of severe pain in the knee area. They last for several days;
- presence of dense nodules under the skin;
- subfebrile temperature;
- alternating swelling of the joints;
- blisters on dermis, redness. They indicate the development of a reactive form of pathology;
- decreased appetite;
- weight loss.
Signs of osteoarthritis
The considered joint lesion continues with the main and additional signs. Among the main ones are:
- Joint crunch;
- localization in the knee area;
- restrict connection mobility;
- Pain is more common when moving. At rest, it rarely occurs;
- joint deformity. Its appearance changes, the direction of the limbs can change;
- deterioration of blood supply, nutrition of joint tissues.
Specific manifestations are:
- The onset of pain at night;
- pain relief at rest;
- NSAIDs do not relieve pain;
- painful crunch;
- limited joint mobility;
- excessive osteophyte growth.
Differences in major joint lesions
The key difference between arthrosis and arthritis is the fact that arthrosis is a pathology of the joints that destroys and deforms it. Arthritis affects the work of internal organs. The kidneys, heart and liver suffer from this disease. When choosing a treatment, doctors pay special attention to the internal organs.
To make it easier to differentiate diseases, we will illustrate them below.
| Signs of pathology | Osteoarthritis | Arthritis/ zxtr>| Pain Syndrome |
Usually appears after movement. The pain is felt even after heavy exertion. People do not pay enough attention, thinking that pain causes overexertion. The disease progresses and leads to painful sensations during light loads on the joint. The knees are also painful on rest days, when the joint is not affected. In a comfortable position, the pain does not bother and subsides. |
With this pathology, pain is felt all the time (with strong physical activity, at work, at rest). The disease is characterized by nocturnal pain, which is often disturbing from 3 to 5 in the morning. |
Crunch |
Characteristic of this connection defeat. Its appearance is caused by the destruction of the cartilage layer, the friction of the bones. At the same time, a certain sound is heard (dry, rough). It increases with disease progression. |
| Reduced joint mobility |
Affected wrist reduces range of motion. |
Joints, the whole body are tied. |
Joint Deformity |
It appears on the joints gradually. If the disease worsens the painful type of pain. There is usually no swelling. |
Warp is also present. The area of the affected joint becomes red, swollen. Acute pain is felt after the pressure. Possible knots. The temperature of the site of inflammation rises. |
Blood test results |
Osteoarthritis does not usually affect the blood test result. Inflammation markers remain unchanged. |
This disease is characterized by an increase in ESR. An increase in leukocyte levels indicates the course of inflammation in the joint. Biochemical analysis data show an increase in markers of inflammation. |
Localization |
It is most often fixed in the knee joints. Less commonly, the disease covers the joints of the fingers and ankles. |
| |
Is there a difference between osteoarthritis and gonarthrosis of the knee joint? Gonarthrosis is an arthrosis that develops in the area of the knee joints. We can confuse this pathology with a number of diseases:
- Meniscopathy.Represents meniscus damage. This pathology, blockade of the knee joint can be observed in patients of different ages, both sexes. Basically, one connector was damaged. The difference from gonarthrosis is rapid development. It is manifested by cramping, acute joint pain after running, jumping, walking. After 10 - 15 minutes. sharp pains pass.
- Coxarthrosis(hip arthrosis). This diagnosis can be made due to the reflection of pain in the area from the hip joint to the knee. It is quite easy to distinguish such a condition. In coxarthrosis, the mobility of the knee joint does not change. It bends easily, without pain. Doctors notice a reduction in the ability to rotate the leg “from the hip”. It is also difficult to spread your legs to your hips.
- Vascular painmanifested in the knee. Pain may indicate poor circulation in the knee joint area. Such sensations are noticed in adolescence. There is active growth at the moment. Ships do not have time to develop as fast as bones. The pain in the pathology is symmetrical, manifesting equally in both limbs.
- Periarthritis. In inflammation of the knee tendon, the pain is felt after carrying heavy bags, after going down the stairs. The pathology is most often observed in women older than 40 years. The pain does not extend to the entire knee. It was felt only on the inner surface of the knee. Knee mobility is unlimited.
Differential Diagnostics
In addition to the described joint diseases, the doctor directs the patient to perform a differential diagnosis. It is important to distinguish arthritis from osteoarthritis. There are also a number of subtypes of arthritis. Osteoarthritis takes place in several stages.
To distinguish these two pathologies from each other and from a number of other knee lesions, specify:
- X-ray joints;
- blood biochemistry; rheumatic tests;
- CT;
- spinal x-ray; MRI;
- bone scan.
Treatment of joint lesions
It is important to know what pathology you have been diagnosed with (arthrosis or arthritis of the knee joint) and you should not be confused. Different approaches are used in the treatment of these diseases.
Drugs in the treatment of osteoarthritis
In the treatment of osteoarthritis, doctors use medications (painkillers, hormonal medications). they also use physiotherapy, therapeutic exercises, massage. If the case of pathology is particularly severe, drugs containing glucosamine sulfate are used. In some cases, surgery is needed.
Arthritis Therapy Course
Doctors choose a course of therapy for arthritis taking into account the form of pathology. Patients should avoid increased physical activity. loads, excessive alcohol intake, unhealthy diet. Therapy is carried out with the use of drugs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics). In order to increase the efficiency of the treatment that is being carried out, physiotherapeutic procedures and exercise therapy are prescribed.
Prevention of joint pathologies
To prevent the development of pathologies such as osteoarthritis or arthritis of the knee joint, it is worth listening to the recommendations of experts. As a precautionary measure, you must adhere to the following requirements:
- Proper nutrition;
- Moderate physical activity.
Each of these activities will be needed after the treatment. Consider the characteristics of each.
Physical activity
Must be moderate. Such exercises contribute to weight loss, strengthening muscle fiber corsets and increased blood circulation. Each item is very important in the prevention of joint disease.
Heavy load on connections
Patients should be careful. If you increase the load on the joints, accidentally injuring them, you can achieve the opposite effect. Instead of improving the situation, new problems will arise. Improper performance of exercises from the exercise complex is also dangerous. All classes should be performed under the supervision of an instructor who is present at the doctor.
Joint gymnastics
As a preventive measure, it is enough to perform joint exercises. That's pretty common. It's easy to do. In addition, there is no need to purchase special equipment. Special attention should be paid to exercises in the pool. When performing any activities in the water, the load on the joints is minimal.
Proper nutrition
Doctors recommend reviewing diet and food preferences For prevention, doctors recommend excluding a number of products from the daily menu. Among them:
- Red meat;
- Alcohol;
- Foods high in fat.
Must be included in the diet:
- Seafood;
- fruit;
- Fish;
- gelatin (can be used as meat jelly, jelly dessert);
- Vegetables
Drink 2-3 liters of water a day. Alcohol is excluded. You need to start taking vitamins: calcium, D, B, A.
Other preventive measures are:
- Weight control;
- Protection against joint hypothermia;
- Mandatory maintenance of a healthy lifestyle;
- Proper sleep, rest;
- Wear comfortable shoes. It is possible to use shoes with orthopedic insoles, comfortable heels;
- Eliminating such a bad habit as crossing your legs while sitting;
- Remove stress.