Many people do not understand the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis.Both diseases are common and are associated with joint problems.However, the symptoms of the disease, and even more so prevention and treatment, are individual in each case.
Arthritis and arthrosis, what do they have in common?
What is osteoarthritis and arthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a joint disease caused by cartilage problems.They begin to gradually disintegrate and break, causing unbearable pain.It occurs in acute and long-term forms.It often appears in the morning or after intense physical activity.
Joint arthritis is a condition of joint inflammation.Mainly expressed as swelling and redness.The inner lining of the joint is destroyed, resulting in pain that is often difficult to bear.
What is the difference between arthritis and arthrosis: general signs
Both diseases have a common root in their names “artron”.If you translate from Greek, you get “joint”.Both diseases are associated with joint problems and pain.Such pathologies occur with sharp negative sensations and discomfort.Injuries associated with the cartilaginous layer limit and complicate movement.
Osteoarthritis and arthritis change the patient's usual lifestyle.It becomes difficult to move, pain appears and the level of resistance decreases - these are the main signs.However, each of these diseases follows its own scenario.
It is important to make a correct diagnosis, so that the treatment is of high quality and agile.
Arthritis symptoms
Arthritis is characterized by the following features:
- Fever may occur if the skin near the joint turns red.
- Change in the appearance of the joint.
- Tumor.
- Painful sensations when moving.
- Unpleasant sensations when pressing on a joint.
- Arthritis can be an infectious disease.Then all the symptoms corresponding to infections appear: weakness, fever, chills.
Arthritis can affect a single joint or several.It occurs with acute or gradual pain and causes a chronic disease.Then a dull, dull pain occurs.
Osteoarthritis symptoms
Osteoarthritis is largely a chronic disease.For a long time you may not understand that you have this disease, as it manifests itself in the form of temporary pain.However, it can occur quickly or slowly.If osteoarthritis is not detected in time in the early stages, this disease will lead to disability.Osteoarthritis symptoms:
- Swelling in the periarticular area.A different situation occurs with osteoarthritis: the joint swells only during the acute illness.The disease occurs accompanied by severe pain.
- Crunching and feeling of fragility in the joint.From the first few minutes, the clicking noise does not particularly bother the owner, but if no treatment is carried out it will be heard by other people.A feeling of fragility often occurs after bathing or swimming in cold water.
- Drawing pain.This is especially true when there is stress on the affected joint.For example, when climbing stairs.
Mainly, osteoarthritis arises due to heavy loads or injuries.Severe pain may intensify at night and continue until the morning.
Who treats the pathology?
Which doctor treats osteoarthritis and arthritis?As a rule, people go to the doctor after unbearable pain occurs.It is better not to wait until the critical moment and make an appointment as soon as you feel discomfort in your joints.
First of all, you need to go to the local doctor-therapist.He will prescribe additional tests or special procedures.After the examination, he will make a preliminary diagnosis and refer you to the necessary doctor.There are two options here.
Traumatologist-orthopedist
The therapist refers you to this doctor for more serious forms of osteoarthritis or arthritis.In most cases, he performs surgery followed by recovery procedures.
A traumatologist studies your problem, gets to know your complaints, examines the joint and then decides on the necessary treatment.
Most often this is an operation.Orthopedic function is associated with the recovery phase.It is necessary to wear special shoes or other clothing that facilitates movement.It is better to follow this point to speed up the recovery process.
Rheumatologist
If you are faced with the problem of osteoarthritis or arthritis for the first time, your general practitioner will prescribe a referral to a rheumatologist.He or she will examine your joint, refer you for additional tests (if necessary), and make an accurate diagnosis.
Most often, the doctor prescribes treatment at home.Therapy should help stabilize the joint.The main task here is to prevent the disease from developing and having serious consequences.
Both doctors are called upon to identify and suggest treatment options.However, a rheumatologist works with early stages of milder diseases.The orthopedic traumatologist does the opposite, with serious and complex cases.
Treatment methods for arthrosis and arthritis
There are two methods of treating these diseases:
- medicinal;
- using folk remedies.
Initially, you need to consult a doctor and only then take the pills.If you choose medications on your own, you can only make things worse for your body.
Treatment with folk remedies includes: compresses, herbal infusions, ointments.Some examples of how to help treat arthritis and arthrosis using popular recipes:
- Grate half a cup of sea buckthorn.Rub the resulting paste with massaging movements into the sore joint.Cover with gauze and leave for a few hours.It is advisable to repeat daily for two weeks.
- For sharp pains, rub the joint with ordinary star balm.Leave for several hours.The pain will begin to subside.
- For severe or severe pain, apply a warm compress.To do this, moisten a bandage or gauze with warm water and place it over the joint.Then wrap it with cotton wool and polyethylene on top to create a kind of bathhouse effect.It must be kept for 20 minutes.
It is worth understanding that folk remedies can only alleviate pain and prevent it for a while.To cure the disease you need to consult a specialist, a doctor.
Which is worse: joint arthritis or osteoarthritis?
Naturally, both diseases are quite serious and it is difficult to say which one is worse.However, we can consider the example of a problem in the knee joint.In arthritis, that is, in inflammatory processes, the patient can be helped.
Most often this occurs due to other infections that occur in the human body.If they are cured and the joint inflammation is removed, knee arthritis will no longer bother you.
Osteoarthritis is a completely different story.This is an independent disease caused by problems with cartilage tissue.This often cannot be done without surgical intervention.This is followed by another long recovery process.
Therefore, we can say that osteoarthritis is a more serious disease.However, arthritis can cause the disease first.Both diseases should not be neglected.It is best to immediately contact a specialist.