Arthritis and osteoarthritis: 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) of 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 worldwide suffer from this disease. Diseases are more often affected by women, whose average age is 30-35 years.

Rheumatoid osteoarthritis is a disease that affects the cartilage tissues of the ankle, knee, shoulder, hip and foot joints. The progressive form flows into arthrosis, 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 arthritis is a current problem in modern rheumatology. The disease, in addition to the joints, spreads to the internal organs and muscles. The disease develops symmetrically on the 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 requires prompt treatment. If this is not done, 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 reduced mobility. Symptoms of arthritis and osteoarthritis are similar, but there are characteristic differences.

arthritis changes:

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

Cartilage inflammation begins with an infection, injury, or disruption of the metabolic process.

Physiology of osteoarthritis:

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

Diseases cause a person to suffer when performing simple actions: bending, stooping, straightening, raising his legs or arms. The patient barely 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;
• low mobility of the problem area.

The usual way of life of a sick person is disrupted. Every morning, getting out of bed, you have to "disperse" to go to the kitchen, controlling the pain.

What's more dangerous

Diseases bring a lot of pain and trouble to the patient.

Arthritis occurs due to inflammation in the body. He is cared for. It is important to contact a specialist in time and not wait for bone erosion and other complications.

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

Diagnostic

It consists of carrying out various procedures and activities. During the examination, the doctor obtains information from the arthritis patient about past infections and injuries. Determines the course of the disease and prescribes diagnostics:

1. Blood test for 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 its entirety.

Step-by-step diagnosis of arthrosis:

1. Visually, the doctor assesses the mobility of the joint. Whether or not ossified areas are observed in the problem area, a cracking sound is heard. How are the muscles around the painful joint?
2. Bony growths and deformity of the joint help to see the x-ray.
3. Synovial fluid analysis and histology.
4. Complete blood count.

Physical education

I would like to note that exercise therapy, swimming - effectively help in the prevention and treatment of arthrosis. Physical activity aims to restore joint mobility. The increased movement of blood flow to the affected area stimulates the cleansing and restoration of joint tissues.

We must not forget the limits 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 bouquet of diseases or severe deterioration of the joint does 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 osteoarthritis, it is a relief of the disease, stopping the progression of the disease. And above all, do not become disabled.