Arthritis and arthrosis: what is the difference and what to do with each of them

What are arthritis and arthrosis

Arthritis is commonArthritis / National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases the name of conditions in which the joints become inflamed. This inflammation is accompanied by pain and limited mobility.

By itself, joint inflammation is not a separate disease. This is primarily a symptom of some pathological process that occurs in the body. In this context, arthritis can be compared to a runny nose (rhinitis): it also does not occur on its own, but as a consequence, for example, of colds or allergies.

Arthritis is often caused by an autoimmune malfunction, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the body. Including cells of joints suffer - mainly of hands, wrists, knees. In this case, they talk about autoimmune, rheumatoid arthritis.

Not less oftenArthritis / Mayo Clinic joints become inflamed due to the destruction of cartilage, the hard, slippery tissue that covers the ends of the bones where they enter the joint. Cartilage is usually damaged due to age-related wear and tear or injury. This condition is called osteoarthritis. Or osteoarthritis (arthrosis).

What is the Difference Between Arthritis and Arthrosis

This is largely a question of terminology. Scientists tried to figure out the termsW Miehle. Arthrosis or osteoarthritis: do these terms imply therapy with pure analgesics or non-steroidal antirheumatic agents? / Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology. Supplement since the 1980s, but they have not come to a consensus.

Today in the Russian Federation the concepts of arthritis and arthrosis are used as synonyms.Osteoarthritis / FSBSI "Research Institute of Rheumatology named after V.A. Nasonova ". German doctors preferJoint arthrosis (Osteoarthritis) / Cologne Foot and Ankle Surgery Center the word "arthrosis", but "arthritis" can also be synonymous with it. English-speaking doctors divide these two terms as follows:

• Arthritis is a general concept that coversArthritis vs. Arthrosis - What’s the Difference? / OrthoBethesda all possible types of joint inflammation, including arthrosis.
• Arthrosis, in turn, is just a type of arthritis. Albeit one of the most commonArthritis / NHS, along with rheumatoid.

What are the symptoms of arthritis and arthrosis

The key symptoms are the same for all types of arthritis, including arthrosis. itArthritis / Cleveland Clinic:

• pain and swelling in the area of ​​the affected joint;
• redness of the skin in the same place. Often, the skin becomes hot to the touch - this is a sign of an active inflammatory process;
• stiffness of movements: a person is uncomfortable or painful to bend a limb or finger.

What to do if you suspect arthritis and arthrosis

See a doctor. For a start - to the therapist.

The doctor will ask you about the symptoms, conduct an examination and, if he agrees with your assumption of joint inflammation, will make a preliminary diagnosis of arthritis. And then he will begin to look for the causes that led to the inflammation. For example, it will offerArthritis / Mayo Clinic take a blood test. If it contains markers of autoimmune processes (the so-called rheumatoid factors), you will be diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. If the analysis shows an increased content of uric acid and creatinine, the doctor will suggest another type of disorder - gout.

In addition, you will most likely be referred for an ultrasound scan of the affected joint. If during the study it is determined that the cartilage tissue is severely thinned or destroyed, the initial general diagnosis of "arthritis" will turn into a specific one - osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis).

There are manyArthritis / NHS other types of arthritis. Which of them manifested itself in your case, can only be established by a qualified doctor after a detailed examination.

Further, the detected disease will be treated by a specialized physician, for example, a rheumatologist or surgeon.

How to treat arthritis and arthrosis

Each specific type of arthritis is treated differently, depending on the cause and severity of the symptoms. For example, in the case of an autoimmune variant, you will most likely be prescribed medications that suppress the harmful activity of the immune system. For gout, medications will be prescribed to reduce uric acid production and improve kidney function.

But in the treatment of all types of arthritis, including arthrosis, there are common points. Doctors will do everything to help you get rid of pain and improve joint mobility. For this, they are usually prescribedArthritis / Mayo Clinic:

• Pain relievers. These can be paracetamol-based over-the-counter medications that are quite effective in reducing pain, but not inflammation. If paracetamol fails, your doctor will give you a prescription for more serious drugs - opioids.
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The most famous of these are the over-the-counter ibuprofen-based products. They not only reduce pain, but also make the inflammatory process in the joint less active. Strong NSAIDs are sold by prescription only.
• Anti-irritants. These are creams or ointments that contain menthol or capsaicin (an ingredient that gives a specific pungent taste to hot peppers). Such agents are rubbed into the skin over the affected joint so that they interfere with the transmission of pain signals.
• Physiotherapy and physiotherapy exercises. Some exercises can make the inflamed joint more flexible. They also strengthen the surrounding muscles and other joints.

Alternative options are also capable of helping with all types of arthritis, including arthrosis.Arthritis / Mayo Clinic treatment. Among them are acupuncture, yoga, massage, taking chondroitin pills. A substance that is part of the cartilage tissue, an important component of the joints. and glucosamine This substance is produced by cartilage tissue, is a component of chondroitin and is part of the synovial fluid, which fills the joint cavity. . There is little reliable scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of these methods, but experts consider them promising.

Ekaterina Komissarova