Arthrosis and arthritis: causes, symptoms, methods of treatment and prevention

What is the difference between arthritis and arthrosis

Osteoarthritis is often accompanied by arthritis, an inflammatory process in joint tissues. Arthrosis involves the destruction and deformation of a certain area. Both syndromes affect the patient's quality of life and require timely detection and treatment.

Causes

Most often, degenerative joint tissue diseases develop after physical exertion or with the aging of the body. Osteoarthritis and arthritis have several common causes:

  • hereditary predisposition;
  • severe infectious diseases;
  • incorrect concentration of hormones in the body;
  • autoimmune diseases;
  • intense physical activity, overvoltage;
  • joint damage;
  • congenital anomalies in the development of joint tissues;
  • complications after surgical treatment;
  • alcohol abuse;
  • body hypothermia;
  • frequent stressful situations.

Quotes from a specialist

Over time, arthrosis can lead to arthritis. And arthritis leads to arthrosis. That is, these diseases most often come in pairs, but they can also appear separately as independent diseases. You just have to keep in mind that if arthrosis is not treated, arthritis will appear.

What does arthritis mean in arthrosis?

The inflammatory process is often detected when the cartilage is destroyed. This may indicate the following problems in the body:

  • infectious focus with arthrosis, damage to the circulatory system and organs of the gastrointestinal tract is possible. This provokes an inflammatory process in the joints;
  • weakening of muscle and bone tissue. The patient has progressive instability of the upper and lower extremities;
  • weakened immunity, the body cannot cope with irritants from the external environment;
  • malfunction of internal systems.

varieties

There are several possible types of arthritis when cartilage is affected:

  • reactive, progresses when infected with a pathogenic microorganism. It is most often found in people suffering from chronic diseases;
  • rheumatoid arthritis involves the spread of the inflammatory process in the connective tissues, causing limitations in the mobility of the upper and lower extremities;
  • crystalline, progresses with impaired metabolism. It is characterized by a high concentration of salts in the body;
  • psoriatic form, the risk of skin diseases increases. Arthritis is accompanied by swelling, swelling in different parts of the body;
  • infectious progresses against the background of various infections of an acute or chronic nature. It is most often diagnosed in large articular tissues.

What can it be confused with?

Arthritis symptoms resemble lupus, Raynaud's disease, and fibromyalgia. It is expressed in chronic fatigue, elevated temperature, limited movement and painful sensations.

How to get rid of the symptoms of arthritis with arthrosis

To relieve the symptoms of the inflammatory process and improve your well-being, it is recommended to follow the following rules:

  • stop drinking alcohol, drugs, smoking;
  • avoid stressful situations;
  • normalize your diet;
  • exercise every day;
  • walk more often in the fresh air;
  • check the pressure level in the blood vessels;
  • get stiff in the morning;
  • avoid passive smoking.

When and which doctor should be contacted

An arthrologist treats the inflammatory process in joint tissues. If the patient does not have the opportunity to consult a specialist of this profile, it is recommended to schedule an appointment with an orthopedist or traumatologist. You should seek help when you notice the first symptoms of the disease.

Treatment of arthritis with arthrosis

Before starting treatment, a diagnosis is required. Doctors will perform an external examination of the patient, interview him and prescribe blood and urine tests. If necessary, arthrography, radiography, magnetic resonance and CT are used. Based on the information received, the patient is given a course of treatment.

Drug treatment

It is possible to get rid of the symptoms in the early stages of the disease with the help of medications. The patient is prescribed a complex of medications to achieve greater effectiveness:

  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs relieve the patient from pain;
  • chondroprotectors accelerate cartilage restoration;
  • muscle relaxants eliminate spasms and discomfort.

Surgery

In severe cases, in the presence of complications or in the final stages of the disease, surgical treatment is prescribed. The patient either has the affected joint tissue removed and an implant installed, or the synovial membrane is removed.

Conservative therapy

Along with medications, the patient is prescribed massage treatments, a course of physical education is prescribed, and the diet is adjusted. Therapeutic baths help relieve pain. Physiotherapy prevents the development of the inflammatory process and accelerates the restoration of affected joint tissues.