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 small joints (elbows, knees, hands and feet) of an erosive-destructive type. The result is bone erosion and subsequent deformation. Over time, the symptoms of the disease worsen and lead to disability. About 60 million people in the world suffer from this disease. The diseases are more affected by women, whose average age is 30 to 35 years.

Rheumatoid osteoarthritis is a disease that affects the cartilaginous tissues of the ankle, knee, shoulder, hip joints and feet. The progressive form leads to osteoarthritis, which creates restrictions in the motor activity of a person. The disease can develop in two symmetrical joints at once. Sometimes in different, for example, knee and hip in one limb.

Rheumatoid polyarthritis 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 in both 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 needs timely treatment. If this is not done, there will be complications with a fatal outcome.

Main differences

Patients present to the doctor with complaints of joint discomfort, pain, and limited mobility. The symptoms of arthritis and osteoarthritis are similar, but there are characteristic differences.

changes in arthritis:

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

The inflammation of the cartilage starts from an infection, injury or alteration in the metabolic process.

Physiology of osteoarthritis:

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

Diseases bring suffering to a person when he performs simple actions: bending, bending, straightening, lifting legs or arms. The patient hardly sits on a chair, goes down the stairs.

Signs and symptoms

The diseases have common symptoms:

• dificulty to walk;
• the presence of pain in the inflamed area;
• poor mobility of the problem area.

The usual way of life of a sick person is disturbed. Every morning, getting out of bed, he must "disperse" to go to the kitchen, overcoming the pain.

what is more dangerous

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

Arthritis occurs due to inflammation in the body. He is being treated. 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. The worn cartilage thins out. Synovial fluid, which is the source of tissue nutrition, is not restored. The consequences of the disease are irreversible. To alleviate a person's condition may be a specialist who will establish a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Diagnosis

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

1. Blood tests for the detection of uric acid.
2. Joint ultrasound.
3. X-ray of the affected area.
4. CONNECTICUT.
5. arthroscopy.

The results show the clinical picture of the disease in its entirety.

Step-by-step diagnosis of osteoarthritis:

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

Physical training

I would like to note that exercise therapy, swimming, effectively help in the prevention and treatment of arthrosis. Physical activity is aimed at restoring joint mobility. Increasing the movement of blood flow in the affected area stimulates the cleansing and restoration of joint tissues.

We must not forget about the limitations of physiotherapy exercises:

1. It is carried out during the period of remission in the absence of severe pain.
2. In old age, the accumulation of existing diseases or the serious degradation of the joint do not allow physical exercises.
3. Overweight patients are allowed to do a limited amount of exercise without significant 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 the opportunity to continue to exist normally. With osteoarthritis, this is an alleviation of the condition, stopping the progress of the disease. And most importantly, don't get disabled.