Many people don't understand the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis.Both diseases are common and are associated with joint problems.However, the symptoms of the disease and, above all, the prevention and treatment are individual.
Arthritis and arthrosis, what do they have in common?
What is osteoarthritis and arthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a joint disease caused by cartilage problems.They gradually begin to disintegrate and break down, causing unbearable pain.It occurs in both acute and long-term forms.It often occurs in the morning or after heavy physical activity.
Joint arthritis is a disease of joint inflammation.Mainly manifests itself 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 name “Arthron”.If you translate it from Greek you get “joint”.Both diseases are accompanied by joint problems and pain.Such pathologies occur with acute negative sensations and discomfort.Lesions associated with the cartilage layer restrict and make movement difficult.
Osteoarthritis and arthritis change the patient's usual lifestyle.It becomes difficult to move, pain occurs and endurance decreases - these are the main symptoms.However, each of these diseases follows its own scenario.
It is important to make a correct diagnosis so that treatment is high-quality and prompt.
Arthritis symptoms
Arthritis is characterized by the following features:
- If the skin near the joint becomes red, a fever may occur.
- 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 an infection appear: malaise, fever, chills.
Arthritis can affect a single joint or multiple joints.It occurs with acute pain or gradually and causes a chronic disease.Then a dull, aching pain occurs.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is largely a chronic disease.You may not understand for a very long time that you suffer from this disease, as it manifests itself in the form of temporary aching pain.However, it can happen both quickly and slowly.If osteoarthritis is not recognized in time in its early stages, this disease leads to disability.Symptoms of osteoarthritis:
- Swelling in the periarticular area.The situation is different with osteoarthritis: the joint only swells in acute cases of illness.The disease is accompanied by severe pain.
- Crunching and feeling of brittleness in the joint.From the first minutes, the crunching noise does not particularly bother the owner, but if no treatment is given, it will be heard by others.A feeling of brittleness often occurs after showering or swimming in cool water.
- Drawing pain.This is particularly true if the affected joint is put under strain.For example when climbing stairs.
Osteoarthritis usually occurs as a result of severe stress or injury.The aching pain may increase at night and last until the morning.
Who treats pathology?
Which doctor treats osteoarthritis and arthritis?As a rule, you go to the doctor when 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, you need to go to your local doctor and 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
For more severe forms of osteoarthritis or arthritis, the therapist will refer you to this doctor.In most cases, he performs surgery followed by recovery.
A traumatologist examines your problem, finds out about your complaints, examines the joint and then decides on the necessary treatment.
Most often this involves an operation.Orthopedic function is associated with the recovery period.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 confronted with the problem of osteoarthritis or arthritis for the first time, your family doctor will prescribe a referral to a rheumatologist.He will examine your joint, refer you for further tests (if necessary) and make an accurate diagnosis.
Most often, the doctor prescribes treatment at home.The therapy is intended to help stabilize the joint.The main task is to prevent the disease from developing and causing serious consequences.
Both doctors are asked to identify and suggest treatment options.However, a rheumatologist deals with milder, early stages of the disease.An orthopedic traumatologist is the opposite for severe, complex cases.
Treatment methods for osteoarthritis and arthritis
There are two methods of treating these diseases:
- medical;
- with folk remedies.
First of all, you need to consult a doctor and only then take the pills.If you choose medications yourself, you can only worsen the situation for your body.
Treatment with folk remedies includes: compresses, herbal teas, ointments.Some examples of how folk recipes can help with arthritis and arthrosis:
- Grate half a cup of sea buckthorn.Rub the resulting paste into the painful joint with massage movements.Cover with gauze and let rest for several hours.It is recommended to repeat the application daily for two weeks.
- In case of acute pain, rub the joint with normal star balm.Leave on for several hours.The pain will subside.
- If you have pain or severe pain, apply a warm compress.To do this, moisten a bandage or gauze with warm water and place it on the joint.Next, wrap it on top with cotton wool and polyethylene to create a kind of bathhouse effect.It must be kept for 20 minutes.
It is worth understanding that folk remedies can only relieve pain and prevent it for a while.To cure the disease, you need to consult a specialist, a doctor.
What's worse: joint arthritis or osteoarthritis?
Of course, both diseases are very serious and it is difficult to say which is worse.However, we can consider the example of a problem in the knee joint.Patients with arthritis, i.e. inflammatory processes, can be helped.
Most often this occurs due to other infections in the human body.When they are healed and the joint inflammation is eliminated, knee osteoarthritis no longer bothers you.
Osteoarthritis is a completely different story.This is a separate disease that is caused by problems in the cartilage tissue.This is often not possible 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 first disease.Both complaints should not be neglected.It is better to contact a specialist immediately.