Arthritis and joint disease not only sound very similar, but they affect the body in the same way: They affect bones, joints, ligaments, and cartilage.Both conditions can cause symptoms such as joint pain and difficulty moving.However, there are considerable differences between them.We will try to clarify these concepts.We'll explain what arthritis and joint disease look like, the differences between these conditions, and how to treat them.
The difference between arthritis and joint disease
Arthritis is inflammation of the joints.Arthropathy is an age-related change in cartilage tissue (cartilage destruction).
arthritisis a very broad term used to describe different types of conditions that cause joint inflammation.Each type of inflammation has its own name, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis (arthrosis, osteoarthritis).Arthritis can occur at any age.
Arthropathy (osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis)- One of the most common types of arthritis, it occurs when cartilage tissue wears away.Our joints can move because of the elasticity and smoothness of cartilage.Its destruction causes direct contact between bones in the joint, causing pain.Arthropathy is an age-related change that occurs in old age.
Additionally, arthritis and joint disease differ in the following ways:
- symptom
- risk factors.
- Classification.
- diagnosis.
- treat.
symptom
Symptoms of arthritis may also occur at the same time as joint disease, but the nature of these symptoms is different.For example, joint pain occurs in both conditions, but pain caused by long-term strain and stress is only common in arthropathy.
arthritis
It's important to understand that the symptoms of one type of arthritis are sometimes completely different from the symptoms of another type of arthritis.But here are some symptoms common in all types of arthritis:
- pain.Pain is usually felt at night and may lessen with increasing duration of movement (such as when walking during the day).
- Edema, swelling.If you don't have any injuries and one of your knees or wrists seems swollen when you compare them, this may indicate arthritis.
- A feeling of joint displacement.There may be a sensation that the joints are moving and pushing against each other.
- fatigue.As with any inflammatory disease, the immune system is activated and begins to fight aggressively, which can lead to general weakness and fatigue in the body.
- Fever and loss of appetite.As mentioned earlier, inflammation not only reduces energy levels but can also cause fever and loss of appetite.
- Redness and rash.Usually occurs near inflamed joints.
- The affected joints have limited range of motion.It goes without saying that pain can make any movement difficult.Doing simple household chores or engaging in your favorite hobby becomes difficult due to severe pain in arthritic joints.
Arthropathy
The following are the most common symptoms of joint disease:
- pain.Pain will be felt in the specific joints affected by arthrosis and will vary depending on the degree of cartilage damage.The more cartilage is destroyed, the more pain a person will experience.Unlike arthritis pain, which usually occurs at night or while resting, joint pain usually occurs during the day: while walking, running, etc.Touching the skin over the painful joint can also cause pain.
- Decreased mobility.This is especially noticeable after a long period of inactivity, such as after a night's sleep.
- Austerity.When moving with the joint, you can hear a specific sound (not a slight click, but a heavy, rough sound).This is the result of breakdown of cartilage, which provides smooth, painless friction between joints.
- deformation.With arthropathy (especially in the later stages), various deformations of bones and joints may occur: nodules, growths.There is no swelling like with arthritis.
risk factors
Some factors may be the same for both diseases, while others are different.
- age.One of the most common risk factors.As you age, your chances of developing joint disease or other types of arthritis increase tenfold.In this case, joint disease mainly affects older people, and arthritis can occur at any age.
- weight.The heavier a person is, the greater the stress on their joints.This increases the chances of developing joint disease and arthritis.
- Injuried.If you have had previous bone or joint injuries, you are at increased risk of developing joint disease at a young age.
- Genetics.If a lot of people in your family suffer from joint disease, there's a good chance you'll develop it too.However, your genes do not increase your chance of developing arthritis.
- Activity.If you regularly have a job that puts a lot of stress on your bones, joints, and cartilage, your chances of developing joint disease increase.
Incidentally, a research team at the University of Oxford recently discovered a marker in the blood that can identify the risk of arthritis before symptoms appear, even at a very young age (up to 16 years old).
Classification
arthritis
- Osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis) is the most common type of arthritis and is caused by the wear and tear of cartilage and painful friction between joints.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis - This type of arthritis typically affects all joints in the body except the lower back.This is an autoimmune disease, the cause of which is not entirely understood.A person can get sick at any age (even children can get sick).
- Ankylosing spondylitis primarily affects the spine.It develops in the vertebrae and discs.This is an autoimmune disease.
- Cervical arthritis can occur for a variety of reasons, but the main one is age.About 85% of people over the age of 80 have this disease.
- Gout is a rare form of arthritis that causes inflammation of various joints.This disease occurs due to elevated levels of uric acid in the blood.Gout is now rare.
- Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis characterized by inflammation of the skin and joints.With this disease, inflammation of the tendons and cartilage can be observed; the eyes, lungs, and even the aorta can also be affected.
- Reactive arthritis is the body's response to attack by bacteria and infection.The causative agents are intestinal and genitourinary infections.The disease causes swelling of the fingers and toes and low back pain.
- Juvenile arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects children under 16 years of age.Causes bone and joint destruction, development and growth problems.
- Post-traumatic arthritis - occurs due to a previous injury (fracture, crack, sprain).
Arthropathy
The following types of arthropathy exist:
- Cervical arthropathy affects the cervical spine, occurs in older age, and may be caused by stress and chronic neck disease.Symptoms include neck pain and muscle spasms.
- Facet joint syndrome is most common in older adults and can cause back pain, especially when a person is in an upright position.Poor posture can lead to facet joint syndrome.
- Coxarthrosis is an arthropathy of the hip joint.The hip joint is a hinge joint and is one of the strongest joints in the human body.However, in old age, it can become tiring, and hip problems are also commonly found in athletes and overweight people.
- Lumbar arthritis affects the lower back.It can be caused by scoliosis and abdominal obesity (a buildup of fatty tissue in the upper torso).
diagnosis
Diagnosis of these two joint disorders includes:
- Opinion polls.When the pain occurred, which joint, the nature and duration of the pain, occupation, under what circumstances the pain worsened, past infectious diseases, trauma, etc.
- Visual inspection and palpation.Visible signs on examination: swelling, redness, nodules.
- analyze.
- X-rays and MRIs.
What is the difference between diagnosing arthritis and joint disease?Since arthritis is an inflammatory disease, inflammation can be seen in blood tests.Tests for arthropathy are clear; X-rays or MRIs are often used for diagnosis.
treat
arthritis
There are different treatment options depending on the severity of the disease.The main goal of treating arthritis is to eliminate the cause of joint inflammation.
- drug.Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis may require a combination of different medications.In addition to analgesics, doctors may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and hormonal medications to reduce pain.
- Lifestyle modifications – diet and exercise to reduce stress on joints.It is necessary to consume foods high in calcium (to stimulate bone strength) and protein-rich (to build muscle).
- Surgical intervention.Surgery ranges from minor surgery to major surgery (joint replacement).
Arthropathy
The main goal of treating arthrosis is to restore damaged cartilage.Treatment includes:
- The drug in the tablet is a chondroprotective agent.
- Injections - corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid to reduce inflammation and increase mobility.
- Massage therapy.The following essential oils are particularly effective: orange, ginger, lavender, rosemary, sandalwood, and eucalyptus.
- Therapeutic gymnastics.
- Surgery – Damaged joints can be replaced with artificial joints to reduce pain and improve mobility.
- Lifestyle modifications – diet and exercise to reduce stress on joints.It is necessary to consume foods high in calcium (to stimulate bone strength) and protein-rich (to build muscle).
in conclusion
- Arthritis is inflammation of the joints.Arthropathy is an age-related change in cartilage tissue (cartilage destruction).
- Joints occur in older people (over 50 years) (it can also occur at a younger age, but is very rare and occurs after a serious injury).Arthritis can occur at any age (even in children).
- With arthrosis, joints can become injured during physical activity.With arthritis, the pain occurs at night.
- With arthropathy, the pain increases with movement, while with arthritis, the pain decreases.
- Osteoarthritis most commonly affects the knee and hip joints.Arthritis can occur in any joint; several distant joints or just one may be injured.
- Arthritis, an inflammatory disease, can be diagnosed with blood tests, whereas arthritis cannot.