Arthritis and arthropathy are complex diseases that affect the joints.Because the symptoms are similar, many people think these diseases are the same, but this is not the case.Arthritis and joint disease differ in the cause of the disease, the nature of its progression, the extent of the damage, and require completely different treatments.
Suppose two people go to the doctor complaining of joint pain.One was diagnosed with arthritis and the other was diagnosed with arthritis.When two patients line up, they are given time to briefly discuss their health concerns.
It turns out that their symptoms were very similar: joint pain, inability to bend/extend at full strength, no rest at night or during the day.Even though the diagnoses are similar, they are still different.If arthritis and arthrosis both affect the joints, what is the difference between the two diseases?
what is arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints.It is always preceded by damage to bone or cartilage tissue caused by some factor.
The damaged cells release bioactive substances that trigger an inflammatory response.Blood vessels in the affected area dilate and fill with blood: as a result, immune cells enter the joint tissue to fight damaging factors.
At the same time, the liquid part of the blood leaves the vascular bed, forming edema and limiting the scope of inflammation.This is how the body protects itself from widespread damage caused by bacteria, foreign matter, and chemicals.
After the pathogen is completely or partially removed, the healing mechanism begins.If the damage is minor, normal tissue function returns.Deep defects heal through scars, which are areas of rough connective tissue that prevent the organ from functioning properly.
Arthritis goes through all these stages:
- change - damage;
- Exudation – formation of edema;
- Proliferation-healing.
reason
There are many causes of this disease, here are the main ones:
- Streptococcal infections (tonsillitis, scarlet fever) often cause complications - rheumatism;
- Aggressive autoantibodies - proteins produced by the body against its own tissues; this occurs when immune defenses go awry, treating joints as foreign objects in the body - rheumatoid arthritis;
- Disruption of purine metabolism leads to the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints - gout;
- Allergic reactions may involve joint tissue and produce an inflammatory response - allergic arthritis;
- Long-term use of certain drugs can cause inflammation (isoniazid, D-penicillin, hydralazine, proboinami) - drug-induced arthritis;
- Bacteria introduced through the blood or during surgery - infectious arthritis;
- Viral or bacterial infection anywhere can indirectly affect joint tissue – this is reactive arthritis;
- Acute Injury - Recent injury (impact, abrasion, capsular rupture).
symptom
The disease is characterized by an acute initial phase in which, in perfectly healthy conditions, a person experiences severe pain in the joints.The autoimmune form is characterized by symmetrical damage to the small joints (the interphalangeal joints of the fingers, wrists, and elbows).
In the vast majority of cases, gout begins with inflammation of the joint between the big toe and foot.With bacterial arthritis and reactive arthritis, the large joints are usually affected on one side: knee, hip, sacrum (located where the spine meets the pelvic bones).
Rheumatism occurs against the background of fever and general weakness, often preceded by a sore throat.Severe inflammation of bones, cartilage tissue and synovium may be accompanied by fever, general intoxication: headache, weakness, loss of appetite.
The skin around the joints becomes red and feels warmer to the touch than other areas.Externally, it looks swollen and increased in size.If the lesion occurs on only one side, the difference between the healthy limb and the diseased limb will be visible.
Limited movement is associated with swelling and pain.If the joint cavity is slightly inflamed, it can be almost fully functional.When an overt pathological reaction occurs, the entire synovial cavity may be filled with fluid—in which case mobility is greatly limited.
treat
If the cause is mechanical injury, treatment is by a general practitioner, rheumatologist or traumatologist.The goal of treatment is to eliminate triggering factors and stop inflammation.
For bacterial arthritis and reactive arthritis, antibiotics are needed; for autoimmune arthritis, cytostatics or glucocorticoids are needed; for allergic arthritis, glucocorticoids and antihistamines are used.
During arthroscopy, inflammatory fluid is removed with a syringe or special suction device.The joint remains immobilized throughout the acute inflammation period.Afterwards, the patient is given therapeutic exercises to restore joint mobility.
doctor's advice
From personal practice and the work experience of colleagues, gelatin dressings have excellent results for joint inflammation of any cause.They are easy to implement and inexpensive.You'll want to fold the gauze in several layers, long and wide enough to cover the sore joint.Soak the folded gauze in hot water, squeeze out and straighten.Sprinkle a thin layer of gelatin on top and roll it up so it rolls up like a bag without spilling.Place it over the joint, wrap it in plastic wrap over the top, and secure it with a bandage and/or adhesive tape.You can apply it for up to 3 hours, 2 times a day for 2 weeks.The effects are usually felt within 4-5 days of use, but treatment must be continued to achieve the desired effect; if the process is interrupted, the pain will reoccur.
What is joint disease
Arthropathy (also known as osteoarthritis) is a degenerative disease.It is based on nutritional deterioration, slow recovery and progressive thinning of articular cartilage.
Simply put, the cartilage layer is erased faster than it can be restored.The articular surface of the bone is exposed.They are not as smooth as cartilage and they rub hard against each other as they move.The bone plate is partially destroyed and mild chronic inflammation occurs.
As the disease progresses, bone spurs grow in the joints—the tissue's protective response to ongoing damage.They prevent surfaces from sliding relative to each other, and joint mobility is compromised.
In most people, arthropathy begins to progress after 30 to 40 years and lasts for several years, with symptoms being mild or moderate.
Osteoarthritis of the vertebral joints is often called osteochondrosis.
reason
There are predisposing factors that can lead to the development of pathology in early childhood and complicate its course:
- Athletes engage in strenuous physical activity;
- obesity;
- Have a history of joint injury;
- vascular disease;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- Violation of the normal shape of joints, such as flat feet;
- Exposure to vibration for a long time;
- Women - hormonal imbalance or menopause.
symptom
Large joints usually affect one side: knee, hip, sacrum.The disease begins unconsciously.Initially, pain is rare and associated with strenuous physical activity.
If the patient manages to rest, the discomfort will subside within the same day or after a few days.As the disease progresses, the pain intensity increases and can occur even with normal daily activities.
The mobility of the joint gradually decreases and is completely lost due to the disease.Movement of the affected limb can cause severe pain.Depending on the type of arthritis, osteoarthritis may worsen - fluid builds up in the joint space and the skin over the joint becomes red and warm.After the inflammatory response subsides, the disease course returns to its previous course.
treat
Treatment of arthropathy is performed by traumatologists, orthopedists, and sometimes surgeons.The aim of treatment is to restore the metabolic processes of cartilage, improve joint nutrition and eliminate inflammatory reactions.Treatment is lifelong and can be continuous or several courses of medication.
Between attacks, chondroprotectants are prescribed in the form of tablets and ointments, along with therapeutic exercises and massage.If the condition worsens, chondroprotective agents are given intravenously or intramuscularly along with analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs.Every few months, a traumatologist can inject protective medication directly into the joint.
Advanced stages of the disease require surgical intervention, during which diseased joints are replaced with artificial joints.
Differences between diseases
| logo | arthritis | Arthropathy |
| Cause of disease | inflammation | Degeneration of cartilage tissue |
| current | Acute and chronic exacerbation | Chronic |
| pain | Strong from the start, more noticeable in the morning | The disease is initially weak but gradually worsens.Increased in the evening and after exercise |
| action | It must be "loose" - after going to bed in the morning, the joints are least active | Activity ability gradually decreased, no morning stiffness |
| affected joints | The small joints of the hands and feet are symmetrically affected.Large ones are susceptible to bacterial infection | one or more large joints on different sides of the body |
| blood test | There are obvious inflammatory changes in general blood tests, rheumatoid factor, C-reactive protein, and pathogen antibodies. | No characteristic changes |
| X-ray | Stage changes, osteoporosis - bone tissue loss, bone cysts | Gradual changes occur, the joint spaces become deformed, and bone spurs and growths appear. |
| basic treatment | anti-inflammatory drugs | chondroprotectant |
A similar feature of both diseases is a progressive course with gradual loss of mobility.Autoimmune arthritis usually manifests itself at a young age, when a person is still not concerned about his or her health.
It must be remembered that any joint pain that lasts for a long time will occur under certain conditions - this is an important reason to consult a doctor.It is important to diagnose the disease promptly and initiate treatment to slow down the development of the pathological process.