Differences Between Arthritis and Osteoarthritis
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It is common to confuse the terms arthritis and osteoarthritis, many people think that they are the names of the same disease but this is not correct. The truth is that they are two conditions with differences from each other.
Arthritis and osteoarthritis are diseases that are related to the joints and share certain features that facilitate confusion between the two, however, they have different causes and treatments.
In this section we have dedicated information detailing the differences between these two conditions in order to help people identify their symptoms and so that they can go to a specialist with a clearer vision of their current condition.
Main differences between arthritis and osteoarthritis:
As we mentioned at the beginning, both diseases are related to conditions in the joints, as well as adjacent bones, tendons and muscles. However, to understand their differences, it will be necessary to know what each disease is.
Arthritis:
It refers to inflammation and other cases of infection of the synovial membrane, it contains the synovial fluid that is responsible for covering the joint and cushioning friction when using the joint.
The causes, symptoms, and treatments for this disease are unique and we will share them with you later.
Arthrosis:
It is the degeneration of cartilage within the joints, these fibrous tissues are responsible for covering the bones to effect their friction and allow continuous movement.
When the cartilage wears away, the bones begin to collide, hindering the patient’s mobility and flexibility, causing pain.
Osteoarthritis is a chronic and degenerative disease with specific causes, symptoms and treatments that we will highlight below
Differences between the symptoms of osteoarthritis and arthritis.
Do you feel pain in your joints and want to define whether it could be osteoarthritis or arthritis? Pay attention to the symptoms, if you recognize one or more, go to a trusted orthopedic doctor who will help you find a solution as soon as possible.
Symptoms of arthritis:
Symptoms of arthritis:
- Continuous pain that does not stop even during rest.
- Stiffness within the joint, i.e., limited movement and inflexibility.
- Swelling of the affected area.
- Redness of the affected area.
- Symmetrical discomfort, arthritis attacks both right and left joints equally. For example, if the problem is in the knee, symptoms occur in both knees.
- General symptoms such as fever, tiredness, etc.
- Joint deformity (in advanced stages of the disease)
It should be noted that arthritis has more than 100 types that occur with slight differences, so it is important to seek professional medical attention to prevent the disease from progressing.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis:
- Pain in the joint during use. (In most cases it is relieved when the patient is at rest.)
- Stiffness and difficulty moving over the joint.
- It only affects the joints.
- It can smother inflammation, although it is in unusual cases.
As we can see, osteoarthritis refers to the condition of cartilage and for this reason it is a different condition than arthritis.
Causes of arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Other characteristics that differentiate these two diseases are their causes that are not related to each other.
Arthritis, having more than 100 different types of conditions, can have various causes such as: The development of autoimmune diseases, infection with germs or trauma to the joint.
While osteoarthritis is related to the natural wear and tear of the joint due to aging, it can also occur due to overweight conditions, overexertion and irregularities within the joint.
It should be noted that both diseases have a higher prevalence in women and can occur during any period of life. Although osteoarthritis is more common in people between 40 and 60 years old.
Differences between their treatments.
When talking about treatments, it is our responsibility to have the support of a professional orthopedic doctor who will help you check the diagnosis and find the ideal treatment option for you.
The sooner the treatment is obtained, the better the results will be to reduce symptoms and recover joint mobility.
Treatments for arthritis:
To define the ideal option it is essential to determine the type of arthritis that affects the patient, in infectious cases the use of antibiotics in combination with anti-inflammatory drugs may be recommended.
However, in the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the use of antirheumatic drugs is required, as well as periodic evaluation of the progression of the disease.
Treatments for osteoarthritis:
Like any disease, a prior diagnosis is required to establish the use of treatment.
In mild cases, rest, use of painkillers and lifestyle changes such as losing weight and limiting some exercises that may be responsible for wear and tear are recommended.
However, in more severe cases, surgical treatments may be recommended to help the patient recover their cartilage with infiltrations or prostheses.
If you think you need a specialized evaluation, you can count on Dr. José Felix Castillo.