Diseases of arthritis and arthrosis are often confused because of the similarity of names. Yes, and affect both the ailments of the joints (for example, there is also arthritis, and arthrosis of the knee joint). Suffered from disease joints become inflamed, swollen and aching. In other respects, these are completely different diseases. Let's try to understand, what is the difference between arthritis and arthrosis?
The difference between arthritis and arthrosis
Arthritis is accompanied by inflammation of articular joints, which, in turn, leads to impaired motor functions. The patient experiences discomfort, he has acute or aching pain, both with physical activity and during rest, especially in the morning. The skin in the joint area swells up, turns red and becomes strained. Often the body temperature rises.
Arthrosis is a disease in which degenerative processes occur in articular cartilage. Changed cartilage ceases to cope with the load falling on them and are gradually destroyed. The pain that occurs with the load usually passes in a state of rest. The tissues near the joint swell and become inflamed. Progressing disease leads to destruction of cartilage and severe deformation of the joints.
The difference between arthrosis and arthritis lies in the causes of the disease. Osteoarthritis happens:
- primary, usually associated with the elderly;
- secondary, arising from other diseases or genetically conditioned.
Predisposing factors for the development of arthrosis are:
- excessive weight;
- excessive physical exertion (most often, athletes) or very low physical activity;
- past injuries;
- endocrine diseases.
Arthritis is inflammatory. Allocate such causes of the disease as:
- various infections;
- joint damage and repeated light injuries;
- disturbances in metabolic processes;
- allergy ;
- deficiency of microelements and vitamins.
Analyzes for arthritis and arthrosis
For the prompt diagnosis of the diseases affecting the support apparatus, the specialist must collect a full history. The patient is asked to take the following tests and
- Clinical analysis of blood to determine the level of ESR (arthritis, the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation increases markedly, with arthrosis - close to normal).
- Biochemical blood test to identify the lack of macro- and microelements, characteristic of arthritis.
- An X-ray that helps detect bone deformity inherent in arthrosis and determine the width of the joint space.
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), which allows to detect changes in cartilage tissue in the early stages of the disease.