Arthritis and osteoarthritis adversely affect the patient's full life expectancy. When signs of the described lesions appear in the joints, people draw quick conclusions. They can make mistakes, confuse the specified pathologies. It is important to remember that the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis of the knee joint is significant. Let us consider in more detail the features of each disease. We find out their differences, as well as how osteoarthritis differs from gonarthrosis of the knee joint.
Extension of terminology
Arthritis and osteoarthritis are considered related words. Both mean joint injuries. Due to the consonance of the concepts, patients often perceive them as synonyms. This approach is incorrect. To know how arthritis differs from osteoarthritis of the knee joint, you need to consider each feature.
Arthrosis
Arthrosis is represented by deformation of the joints. Pathology is considered age-related. It is more common in elderly patients. It is also found in people under 40 years of age. More often, its occurrence is provoked by severe damage to the joints, fractures. The risk group is represented by athletes. Read more about osteoarthritis of the knee joint.Gout
Arthritis is an inflammatory pathology that develops in a compound. Usually, its occurrence is manifested by a deterioration of the function of the compound. The whole body is inflamed. The disease can flare up in any joint. It can also cover multiple connections at once. Learn more about knee arthritis.Difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis
The difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is represented by the nuance that an immune deficiency is considered a provocateur of inflammation. It can manifest itself:
- Stressful situation; Hypothermia;
- Postponed flu.
Inflammation is caused by an infectious agent, metabolic disorders and immunity defects. With the improved function of the body's defense system, the immune system works against itself.
Signs of arthritis
This common pathology is manifested by the main signs and further signs. The most important are:
- Joint pain. It's strong, worse at night;
- Redness of the dermis over the affected joint, swelling.
Additional signs of inflammatory disease are also observed:
- night pain, manifested by complete rest;
- pain relief during movement
- morning stiffness. It goes after an hour;
- redness, swelling of the knees
- attacks with severe pain in the knee area. They last for several days;
- the presence of dense nodules under the skin
- subfebrile temperature;
- alternating swelling of the joints;
- blisters on the dermis, redness. They indicate the development of a reactive form of pathology;
- decreased appetite;
- weight loss.
Signs of osteoarthritis
The considered lesion continues with main and additional signs. Among the most important are:
- Common crunch;
- localization in the knee area;
- Connection Mobility Restriction
- Pain is more common with movement. In a calm state, it rarely appears;
- joint deformation. Its appearance changes, the direction of the limbs may change;
- deterioration of blood supply, nutrition of joint tissue.
Specific manifestations are:
- Pain at night;
- pain decreases at rest
- NSAIDs do not relieve pain;
- painful crunch;
- limited joint mobility
- growth of osteophytes.
Differences in major joint lesions
The main difference between osteoarthritis and arthritis is represented by the fact that osteoarthritis is a pathology of the joints that destroys, deforms it. Gout affects the function of internal organs. The kidneys, heart and liver suffer from this disease. When choosing a treatment, doctors pay special attention to the internal organs.
To make it easier to distinguish between diseases, we illustrate them below.
| Signs of pathology | Osteoarthritis | Gout/ zxtr>| Pain Syndrome |
It usually appears after movement. Pain is also felt after strenuous exertion. People do not pay enough attention and think that pain causes overexertion. The disease progresses and leads to painful sensations under light loads on the joint. The knees are also annoying on rest days when the joint is not affected. In a comfortable position, the pain does not bother and subsides. |
With this pathology, the pain is felt all the time (with vigorous physical activity, in the workplace, in a calm state). The disease is characterized by nocturnal pain, which often disturbs from 3 to 5 in the morning. |
Crunch |
It is characteristic of this connection defeat. Its occurrence is caused by the destruction of the cartilage layer, friction of the bones. At the same time a certain sound is heard (dry, rough). It increases with the progression of the disease. |
| Impaired joint mobility |
The affected joint reduces the range of motion. |
The joints, the whole body, are bound. |
Deformation of the joint |
It appears gradually at the joints. If the disease worsens the painful type of pain. There is usually no swelling. |
Warp is also present. The area of the affected joint turns red, swelling. After pressing, acute pain is felt. Possible knots. The temperature at the site of inflammation rises. |
Blood Test Results |
Osteoarthritis does not tend to affect the blood test result. Inflammatory markers remain unchanged. |
This disease is characterized by an increase in ESR. An increase in the level of leukocytes indicates the course of inflammation in the joint. Biochemical analysis data show an increase in inflammatory markers. |
Location |
Most often attached to the knee joints. Less commonly, the disease covers the joints of the fingers, ankle. |
| |
Is there a difference between osteoarthritis and gonarthrosis of the knee joint? Gonarthrosis is an osteoarthritis that develops in the area of the knee joint. This pathology can be confused with a number of diseases:
- Meniscopathy.It is represented by damage to the menisci. This pathology, blockage of the knee joint can be observed in patients of different ages, of both sexes. Basically, a compound is prone to damage. The difference from gonarthrosis is rapid development. It is manifested by a crunch, acute pain in the joint after running, jumping, walking. After 10 - 15 minutes. sharp pains pass.
- Coxarthrosis(osteoarthritis of the hip joint). This diagnosis can be made due to reflection of pain in the area from the hip joint to the knee. It is quite easy to differentiate such a condition. With coxarthrosis, the mobility of the knee joint does not change. It bends easily without pain. Doctors notice a decrease in the ability to rotate the leg "from the hip". It is also difficult to spread your legs to the sides.
- Vascular painmanifested in the knee. Pain may indicate poor circulation in the articular area of the knee. Such sensations are observed in adolescence. At this point, active growth is observed. Vessels do not have time to develop as fast as bones. Pain in pathology is symmetrical, it manifests itself equally in both limbs.
- Periarthritis. With inflammation of the knee tendons, pain is felt after carrying heavy bags after walking down the stairs. Most often, pathology is observed in women over 40 years. The pain does not extend to the entire knee. Felt only on the inner surface of the knees. The mobility of the knee is unlimited.
Differential Diagnostics
With the described joint diseases, the doctor instructs the patient to perform differential diagnostics. It is important to distinguish between arthritis and osteoarthritis. There are also a number of subtypes of arthritis. Osteoarthritis continues in several stages.
To distinguish these two pathologies from each other and from a number of other knee injuries, you must designate:
- X-ray of compounds;
- blood biochemistry;
- rheumatic tests
- CT;
- X-ray of the spine;
- MR;
- bone scan.
Treatment of joint injuries
It is important to know what pathology you have been diagnosed with (osteoarthritis or arthritis of the knee joint) and not to get confused. In the treatment of these diseases different approaches are used.
Drugs used to treat osteoarthritis
In the treatment of osteoarthritis, doctors use medicines (painkillers, hormonal drugs). they also use physiotherapeutic procedures, therapeutic exercises, massage. If the pathology is particularly severe, medicines containing glucosamine sulphate are used. In some cases, surgery is required.
Therapeutic course for arthritis
Doctors choose a therapeutic course for arthritis, taking into account pathology. Patients should avoid improved physical. strains, excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, unhealthy diet. The therapy is performed using medications (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics). To increase the effectiveness of the treatment performed, physiotherapy, exercise therapy is prescribed.
Prevention of common pathologies
To prevent the development of pathologies such as arthrosis or arthritis of the knee joint, it is worth listening to the recommendations of specialists. As a precautionary measure, comply with the following requirements:
- Proper nutrition;
- Moderate physical exertion.
Each of these activities is necessary even after treatment. Let us consider the features of each of them.
Physical Activity
They must be moderate. Such exercises contribute to weight loss, strengthening the cross of muscle fibers and increased blood circulation. Every item is very important in the prevention of joint diseases.
Heavy load of connections
Patients should be careful. If you put an increased load on the joints, injuring them accidentally, you can get the opposite effect. Instead of improving the condition, new problems appear. It is also dangerous to perform incorrect exercises from the exercise therapy complex. All classes must be completed under the supervision of an instructor, attending physician.
Joint gymnastics
As a precautionary measure, it is sufficient to perform joint exercises. It's pretty common. It is not difficult to implement it. In addition, there is no need to buy special equipment. Special emphasis must be placed on pool exercises. When performing an activity in the water, the load on the joints is minimal.
Proper nutrition
Doctors recommend reviewing your diet, preferences in food choices. For prevention, doctors recommend excluding a number of products from the daily menu. Among them:
- Red meat;
- Alcohol;
- High fat foods.
To be included in the diet:
- Seafood;
- Fruit;
- Fisk;
- Gelatin (it can be used as jelly meat, jelly dessert);
- Vegetables
Drink 2-3 liters of water a day. Alcohol is excluded. You need to start taking vitamins: calcium, D, B, A.
Other preventive measures are:
- Weight control;
- Protection against joint hypothermia;
- Mandatory maintenance of a healthy lifestyle;
- Proper sleep, rest;
- Wear comfortable shoes. It is possible to wear shoes with orthopedic insoles, comfortable heels;
- Removing such a bad habit as crossing legs while sitting;
- Eliminate stress.