Osteoarthritis most often affects the knee and hip joints, as well as the big toe joints. Slightly less common are the ankle joints and those joints of the fingers that are located closer to the nails (distal interphalangeal joints). The remaining joints are rarely by arthrosis
Each type of arthrosis has its own “individual” characteristics. However, there are characteristic symptoms that are common to most types of arthrosis.
1. Joint pain . One of the first and main symptoms of arthrosis is pain in the affected joint. As a matter of fact, pain is characteristic of all types of joint and periarticular diseases. But there are features of pain that may indicate that the pain is caused precisely by arthrosis. Thus, with arthrosis, pain in the joint most often occurs when moving.
For example, if a patient has arthrosis in the knee joint, then pain will appear when walking, running and squatting; but as soon as the sick person decides to go to bed and finds a comfortable position for the sore leg, the pain will begin to subside little by little and in about an hour will disappear without a trace - until the next load. In contrast to such pain, pain caused by inflammation of the joint ( arthritis ) manifests itself less during the day, when moving. But at night, at rest, somewhere between three and five o’clock, it begins to “gnaw” the person the most. People who have experienced such inflammatory pain in the joints at night sometimes compare it to toothache - it can be so severe.
Note from Dr. Evdokimenko.
It should be noted that with arthrosis, night pain also sometimes occurs - but they arise only when moving , trying to get up in the middle of the night or when turning in bed from side to side, and sometimes when the affected limb is in an awkward position during sleep. That is, a person suffering from arthrosis, returning to a state of rest or changing an uncomfortable position, can easily get rid of such pain. of the pain caused by arthritis so easily. “Arthritic” pain usually does not depend much on movement and on the comfortable or uncomfortable position of the affected joint. It is rarely possible to drive them away by sitting comfortably in bed. Inflammatory pain seems to “live its own life” and sometimes does not respond either to the position of the joint or to heat or cold. Most often, they can be reduced only by taking anti-inflammatory drugs.
At first, arthrosis pain is mild and occurs only with significant stress. By the way, it is the insignificance of pain at the first stage of arthrosis that leads to the fact that most patients rarely see a doctor on time. Only after some time does the pain clearly intensify, and at the second stage of arthrosis, pain appears already from minimal load or immediately after it. That is, pain is now caused by almost any movement in the affected joint. After a sufficiently long rest, it usually goes away completely, but with the next movement it immediately reappears.
Later, at the third stage of arthrosis , pain begins to bother the person even at rest. As we have already said, it can be difficult for a patient to find a comfortable position in bed, to arrange the affected joint so that it does not hurt. And yet, having found the right position, a person can usually fall asleep. Although, if the destruction of the joint is combined with impaired blood circulation, then the joints begin to “twist” even at night, usually when the weather changes, or, as the patients themselves say, “towards the rain.” This “twisting” of the joints can usually be relieved only with warming ointments or dry heat.
2. Crunching in the joint . Crunching in the joint is the second most important symptom of most arthrosis. Typically, such a crunch is associated with friction of articular surfaces that are not perfectly adjusted to each other in shape. Of course, healthy joints can also click slightly - and in some people, even click quite loudly. But arthrosis crunch has a completely different tone, it is rough and “dry”. And if at the first stage of the disease the crunching of the joint is relatively weakly expressed, then as arthrosis progresses it becomes more audible and distinct.
I want to emphasize: do not confuse a rough arthritic crunch in a joint, which is always accompanied by pain, with a harmless cracking of the joints that occurs in some healthy people and is not accompanied by pain. Such cracking of the joints may simply be a consequence of a weak ligamentous apparatus, excessive mobility of the joints, or some other individual characteristics in the structure of the joints of a given person. Typically, such crunching does not threaten anything, does not have negative consequences and does not increase the risk of joint diseases.
3. Decreased joint mobility . Decreased joint mobility, that is, a decrease in the range of motion in the diseased joint , is another symptom common to arthrosis. At the initial stage of arthrosis, the decrease in joint mobility is usually not very pronounced. However, as the disease progresses, the range of motion in the affected joint decreases to a minimum. This is due to a decrease in the joint space, the development of “spikes” - osteophytes, and spasm of the muscles surrounding the damaged joint.
4. Joint deformity (change in the appearance of the joint). Joint deformity can be caused by several reasons. The first of them is the growth of osteophytes around the joint - special bone growths, “spikes”. The second reason is deformation and modification of the bones that articulate in the joint. In addition, the appearance of the joint may change when it is “expanded” from the inside by excess amount of joint fluid. This excessive accumulation of fluid in the joint cavity often occurs due to inflammation of the joint tissue and is called “ synovitis .”
Article by Dr. Evdokimenko© for the book “Arthrosis”, published in 2003.
Edited in 2011
Osteoarthritis and arthritis - what is it? What is the difference between arthrosis and arthritis? Osteoarthritis and arthritis are diseases that damage the joints. That is why, and also because of the consonance of the names, many people do not understand the difference between arthrosis and arthritis, and perceive them as something similar in essence. Meanwhile, arthrosis and arthritis are far from the same thing.
The most characteristic signs of arthritis (symptoms of arthritis) In this chapter I will tell you about special “warning” symptoms that are not characteristic of arthrosis, but are typical of arthritis.
Examinations necessary for differential diagnosis between arthritis and arthrosis. Clinical blood test, biochemical blood test and rheumatic test, X-ray of joints, X-ray of the sacroiliac joints, in some cases - X-ray of the spine, radioisotope scan of the skeleton, computed or magnetic resonance imaging (CT or MRI).
Other causes of joint pain. Tendon pain. Pain when a joint is blocked or pinched. Joint pain due to poor circulation.
Diseases that are similar in name, such as arthritis and arthrosis, still refer to different processes. Although they are close not only in name - one most often accompanies the other.
Arthritis is an inflammatory process in the joint capsule. The cause of arthritis can be infectious processes in the body, joint injuries with subsequent development of infection, systemic diseases (such as rheumatism, gout).
Arthrosis is a process of joint deformation, degeneration of connective and cartilaginous tissue on the articular surfaces. It occurs against the background of metabolic diseases (for example, with impaired salt metabolism), against the background of pathologies in the formation of connective tissue (including hereditary ones) or after injuries to the joint.
The main difference between arthritis and arthrosis is that with arthritis, inflammatory changes in the joint tissues and intra-articular fluid come first, while with arthrosis, degenerative changes take priority.
The reasons for the development of these processes may be the same. After suffering inflammation, deformation of the affected cartilage surfaces often occurs, and then, after arthritis, arthrosis is formed. And vice versa - deformed by salt deposits, the connective tissue of a joint with arthrosis is prone to inflammation. Then, against the background of arthrosis, arthritis occurs.
A clear example of joint disease
With arthrosis, pain intensifies over time, each exacerbation is more difficult than the previous one. Pain syndrome accompanies any load on the joint. Features of work or physical activity (long hikes, physical education classes) lead to pain after exercise. In case of severe deformities, the symptoms do not disappear completely even after a course of treatment.
The pain syndrome with arthrosis is constant, worsens with exercise and gradually intensifies every year as the cartilage tissue is destroyed.
With arthritis, pain occurs during an exacerbation and is accompanied by other signs of inflammation - swelling, temperature, redness in the joint area.
Arthritis is understood as a more acute (compared to arthrosis) process, which is accompanied by obvious inflammation and resolves after treatment.
Impaired movement in joints affected by arthrosis occurs gradually and does not go away after an exacerbation. Arthrosis (or more correctly, osteoarthritis) can manifest itself as a process in any joint, including the spinal column.
Inflammatory process in the knee joints
When the spine “does not bend”, this is a manifestation of the process of destruction in the cartilage tissue, it becomes inelastic, and the regeneration processes in it are not fully carried out. The phenomena of osteoarthritis also accompany the natural aging of the body.
An important sign of arthrosis is crunching and clicking in the joint when moving. He talks about the thinning of the cartilage, the failure of the connective tissue lining the articular surfaces. Stiffness in the joints is permanent. With arthritis, movement in the affected joints is also impaired, but symptoms of stiffness or limited mobility appear with exacerbation and are treatable. However, chronic forms of arthritis most often result in changes in cartilage surfaces and arthrosis-like symptoms.
To clarify the reasons and accurately determine what process is present in the joint, an examination is carried out.
For pain relief you often have to give injections
A blood test reveals the severity of the disease, its nature (an increased ESR indicates inflammation, an increase in eosinophils indicates an allergic reaction, immune complexes indicate a possible rheumatoid process, an increase in leukocytes indicates the presence of infection). A biochemical analysis is carried out to find out the content of uric and sialic acids in the blood.
X-ray examination is mandatory for joint damage. It shows the presence of changes in the configuration of the joint and the reaction of nearby bone tissue. In addition to x-rays, an ultrasound is often performed to determine changes in the soft tissues in and around the joint.
Intra-articular puncture is performed both for diagnostic purposes (analysis of fluid in the joint capsule) and for therapeutic purposes (administration of medications).
The most informative method is MRI. This examination reveals defects in cartilage tissue, spinal discs, ligaments, menisci of the knee joint, etc.
The main task in the treatment of arthritis and arthrosis during exacerbation is the fight against infection and inflammation. Diseases have stages according to the development of changes. Depending on the stage or severity of the process, the medicine may be prescribed in different forms. With initial changes in the joint, anti-inflammatory tablets are usually prescribed. In acute cases, antibiotics are prescribed against infection.
If inflammation is severe, the doctor may prescribe hormonal medications and injections for pain relief.
Pain and inflammation are also relieved with external medications, such as ointment, gel or compress.
Treatment with folk remedies is very popular for joint diseases. Starting from a diet rich in vitamins, lecithin and to preparing infusions and herbal decoctions for compresses and homemade ointments. Golden mustache, flaxseed, hop cones, bay leaves - these and many other plants are found both in pharmaceutical ointments and in folk recipes.
Effective treatment of arthrosis involves drugs for the restoration of connective and cartilaginous tissue. They are called chondroprotectors. When crunching and joint pain occur, it is recommended to take them also to prevent exacerbations.
Physiotherapy and therapeutic exercises are important in maintaining joint functions.
In severe stages of arthrosis, only surgical treatment and prosthetics can help.
Prevention begins with a diet that excludes excess salts and foods that disrupt metabolism (fatty meat, legumes, confectionery, alcohol). Lean meat or fish, greens, cabbage, cartilage (jellied meat) are desirable.
To maintain joints, moderate exercise and warm-up exercises, weight loss and timely treatment of inflammatory diseases are necessary.
At first glance, arthrosis and arthritis are very similar, but these diseases differ significantly. Today we will talk about what the symptoms of these ailments are and what prevention methods will help prevent the disease.
Both arthritis and arthrosis cause joint damage, but these are different diseases. If arthrosis affects only the joints, then arthritis implies an inflammatory process throughout the body. Inflammation can be caused by infection, abnormalities in the immune system, or metabolic disorders. Therefore, with this disease, not only joints, but also internal organs - liver, kidneys, heart - often suffer.
The age group in which the disease most often occurs also differs: arthritis usually manifests itself before the age of 40, while arthrosis mainly affects older people.
This is one of the main signs of arthrosis and arthritis, but the nature of pain in these diseases is different. Thus, with arthrosis, pain manifests itself mainly only with movement and strong additional load, while it may not be very strong (especially in the first stage of the disease). That is why people often do not attach importance to it, triggering the disease. In the second stage, pain appears even with a slight load, and in the third - even at rest. However, it may subside if the person manages to find a comfortable position.
But in the case of arthritis, the pain does not subside at rest. Night pain is especially characteristic of arthritis - between three and five o'clock in the morning.
Crunching with arthrosis occurs due to the fact that the cartilage layer is destroyed and bone friction occurs. However, if your joints sometimes crack, this is not a reason to panic. The crunch with arthrosis has a specific sound: it is not a light clicking sound, but a rough, dry one. The higher the stage, the stronger the crunch in the joint.
3. Decreased mobility and stiffness
With arthrosis, the range of motion in the affected joint decreases. Arthritis is characterized by stiffness throughout the body or in a joint.
With arthrosis, the appearance of the joint changes, but in this case there is no swelling, as with arthritis. Symptoms of arthritis may include inflammation, swelling, the appearance of dense nodules, and increased temperature at the site of inflammation (it may feel hot to the touch).
With arthritis, inflammation of the joints can also be accompanied by:
Fitness, and in general, any moderate exercise helps to reduce weight, increase blood circulation, strengthen the muscle corset, which is very important for the prevention of arthrosis and arthritis. However, it is important to be careful here: excessive stress on the joints, injuries or incorrect execution of certain exercises, on the contrary, can lead to problems. Therefore, at first it is good to exercise or consult with a trainer (especially if you already feel pain in your joints). However, for prevention, you can perform so-called joint gymnastics - it is quite simple and does not require special equipment or the supervision of a fitness instructor. Exercises in the pool are also good, since in water the load on the joints is much less.
We are talking specifically about the prevention of arthrosis and arthritis. If you have already been diagnosed with one of them, then you can only exercise after consulting a doctor (and in the acute period, training is completely contraindicated!) and only under the supervision of an instructor who will develop an individual training program for you.
It is also worth reconsidering your attitude to nutrition. To prevent arthrosis and arthritis, it is better to avoid red meat and foods high in fat. It’s good if your diet includes fish and seafood, vegetables and fruits. Cartilage and gelatin (for example, jellied meat) are also good for bones. Doctors also recommend increasing water consumption to 2-3 liters per day.
Avoid alcohol. You can start taking vitamins (groups A, D, B) and calcium.
Also, prevention of arthrosis and arthritis can be:
Different methods are used in the treatment of arthritis and arthrosis. First of all, the load on the joints is limited. For arthritis, anti-inflammatory drugs (including hormonal) are used - ointments, injections. Physical therapy, orthopedic regimen, therapeutic diet, and physiotherapy are used.
One of the most effective methods for treating arthrosis and arthritis is the homeosiniatric method. It is absolutely harmless, and it eliminates the cause of the disease, and not only “smoothes out” the symptoms.
The essence of the method is the introduction of complex homeopathic remedies to acupuncture points on the body (observing a certain sequence, required dosages and combinations). The injections are virtually painless. Compared to classical methods of treatment, homeosinia does not require subsequent rehabilitation procedures, but at the same time it acts 10 times faster than conventional homeopathy.
This method was invented about a hundred years ago, but is still not very well known in Russia. However, today in Moscow you can go to clinics that use homeosiniatry in their work.
Treatment of arthritis and arthrosis using homeosiniatry is carried out at the Moscow clinic Ohne Schaden. The clinic's specialists have extensive and successful experience in treating various joint diseases. Every year, more than 500 patients are treated with homeosiniatry at One Schaden and all show positive dynamics. And this is not surprising, because all the specialists at One Schaden are doctors with enormous experience in neurology, orthopedics and therapy, and homeosiniatry is a method whose safety and success have been proven by more than a century of practice.
More detailed information about the treatment of arthritis and arthrosis can be found on the clinic’s website www.ohneschaden.ru.
Persons No. LO-77-01-003287 dated December 22, 2010.
Issued by the Moscow City Health Department
There are contraindications. Consult your doctor.
Among the diseases that affect the joints, two are more common than others - arthritis and arthrosis. These ailments with similar names are often mistaken for the same disease, and in vain. Affecting joint tissue, these diseases have different causes and other differences, which will be discussed in this publication.
Before talking about the factors, symptoms and methods of treating arthritis and arthrosis, we will give a definition and brief description of these ailments.
Arthrosis is a progressive joint disease that affects only the joint tissue, occurs as a result of injury, fracture, lifestyle habits and is most often diagnosed at a later age. With this pathology, cartilage tissue is destroyed and thinned, and arthrosis itself can be primary and secondary. In the primary case, the balance between the wear of cartilage and the rate of its restoration is disturbed; chondrocyte cells die in greater numbers than are formed. Secondary arthrosis develops in the affected joint when the surfaces of the articulating bones are not related in the same way as in a normal joint. This option is observed due to severe injuries, regular loads on the joint during human activity and other reasons.
Arthritis is a pathology of joint tissues caused by a malfunction and inflammatory process in any organs or systems of the body; it often begins to develop at an earlier age - up to 40 years. Joint damage due to arthritis should be considered only as one of the most pronounced symptoms of any disease in the body, be it a malfunction of the immune system or an infection.
The most common causes of the disease are:
In addition, the impetus for the occurrence of arthrosis can be dysplasia, in which abnormal cell development is observed, inflammatory processes, congenital abnormal articulation of bones, a mutation in the structure of collagen, hereditary predisposition, and old age.
At the heart of arthritis there is always inflammation in the body. Having reached the joint, it begins to develop in the synovium, further spreading to other tissues: bones, tendons, etc. Let's name the main factors leading to the appearance of arthritis:
Let's look at the main symptoms that worry patients with joint problems and find out what differences are present in the manifestation of arthritis and arthrosis.
Perhaps pain is a symptom that occurs in almost any ailment affecting the joint. However, the pain of arthritis and arthrosis is different. If painful sensations visit you at night at rest, especially between 2 and 5 o'clock, then this is a likely sign of rheumatic origin of joint pain. With arthritis, this type of pain is more often observed, which appears when the limb is immobile. Pain can also decrease due to active movements after gymnastics.
Arthrosis manifests itself as pain when moving and increasing stress on the joint, for example, when climbing stairs, intense sports, lifting weights, etc. As soon as you take a stationary and comfortable position, the pain begins to subside and goes away completely. We also note that in the first stages of arthrosis there are practically no painful sensations or they appear as a result of very large loads on the joint.
The nature of limited mobility is observed in both arthritis and arthrosis, but this symptom is also somewhat different for these two ailments. Damage to joints of inflammatory etiology, in particular arthritis, is characterized by morning stiffness, which disappears before lunch or even within an hour or two after waking up.
With arthrosis, the range of motion in the joint decreases, this is due to the fact that as pathological changes progress, the joint space narrows, bone tissue grows (spikes, or osteophytes on the surface of the bone) and spasm of muscle tissue is observed. The later the stage of arthrosis in the patient, the less amplitude of movement.
In the area of the affected joint with arthritis, swelling and redness of the skin are observed, which is associated with the activity of the inflammatory process. This symptom of arthritis is often accompanied by pain, the nature of the swelling can be alternating in nature, when first one joint swells and hurts, then the swelling subsides and then these same symptoms seem to spread to the other joint, etc.
With arthrosis, swelling and swelling in the joint area are also observed. However, this symptom is permanent, since most often it is a manifestation of the late stages of arthrosis, when irreversible changes are observed in the joint: deformation, proliferation of osteophytes and accumulation of synovial fluid due to inflammation (synovitis).
Crunching in the joint is observed mainly with arthrosis, and what is especially characteristic is that it intensifies and becomes louder as the disease progresses. Arthrosis crunching should not be confused with a slight clicking sound when moving in healthy joints; with arthrosis, the sound is more dull and creaking. This symptom is due to the fact that the surfaces of the bones in the affected joint are positioned incorrectly in relation to each other. As for arthritis, crunching is not a characteristic sign of this disease.
The most characteristic symptoms of arthritis and arthrosis and their distinctive features are discussed above. However, with arthritis, additional manifestations of the disease are often observed that need to be paid attention to:
For both arthritis and arthrosis, timely initiation of therapy is very important, since this allows maintaining joint mobility, preserving a person’s ability to work and prolonging his normal life.
It is worth noting that it is impossible to completely recover from arthrosis, but stopping the progression of the disease or slowing it down is quite possible. The main thing is to seek medical help in time and start treatment.
Watch Dr. Bubnovsky’s video on how to distinguish between arthritis and arthrosis:
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A joint disease in which the cartilage layer is destroyed is called arthrosis. Unfortunately, the cartilage that covers the inner surface of the joints ages over time. There are many reasons. Is arthrosis dangerous for humans and what are the risks? Are there truly effective methods of combating the disease?
To understand the specifics of the disease and arm yourself with the necessary basic knowledge, let’s consider what arthrosis is: its symptoms and treatment. The destruction of cartilage occurs gradually and at first a person may not feel its signs. The slightest injuries and overloads, dislocations and subluxations help the development of the disease. Aging cartilage recovers less and less well after injuries, and salts are deposited at the site of injuries and scars form. The joint surfaces are no longer so smooth and are injured even more when moving. A specific crunch, pain and swelling appears. Gradually the joint may become deformed.
Knee joint diagram
Heredity plays a major role in the occurrence of the disease. If parents had this disease, then there is a high probability of it occurring in their children. In this case, the disease can become significantly “younger”. Uneven loads on the joints are of great importance. They affect people who perform sedentary and standing work related to the profession: hairdressers, salespeople, drivers, and nowadays also those who spend a long time at the computer.
Heavy physical activity also affects the joints. Athletes, builders, loaders, miners, and those working with vibrating tools suffer from them. Endocrine diseases (obesity, diabetes mellitus) can also lead to arthrosis; in women during menopause, there is a deficiency of hormones, which makes cartilage vulnerable to injury and stress.
More women suffer from arthrosis - 87%; in men it is observed in 83% at the age of 55-65 years. The disease can affect almost any joint. It is divided into primary and secondary arthrosis. The primary form begins without a noticeable cause after the age of 40 and affects many joints at the same time. It may be accompanied by high blood pressure, impaired fat metabolism, atherosclerosis, etc. Most often, arthrosis is localized on the fingers - nodular changes in the phalanges.
Secondary arthrosis can develop at any age and affects one or more joints of the limbs and spine. With this form of the disease, the joint spaces narrow and the surface of the bones thickens due to bone growths. For example, when the ankle joint is damaged, pain in the anterior surface of the joint is observed, swelling, limited mobility, lameness, and deformation of the joint appear most often in football players, runners, and ballerinas.
Knee joint damaged by arthrosis. On the right is an x-ray
Only a doctor can determine the form of the disease and its causes. This is done through a comprehensive examination of the patient. The condition of the whole organism is assessed. For this purpose, a system of research is carried out: a survey of the patient (history) in order to identify previous diseases and injuries, X-ray examination, laboratory tests, instrumental and special examinations to obtain a complete picture. At the same time, it is not always easy to determine the degree of development of arthrosis: with significant changes in X-ray photographs, the patient may not have severe pain, and, conversely, with severe pain, changes in the photographs are completely insignificant.
Treatment of arthrosis today is a serious and pressing problem. And although the number of drugs used for arthrosis is constantly increasing, they have only a symptomatic effect. And so far, none of the drugs has become a panacea in the treatment of joints. Therefore, the doctor chooses the treatment strategy, and the patient himself helps. Treatment must be comprehensive.
The first action is to relieve pain. During the period of exacerbation of the disease, diseased joints need rest and reduction of stress. It is recommended to unload them with a cane, crutches or walker. Avoid standing or bending over for long periods of time. In parallel with this, chondroprotectors are prescribed - a group of drugs that “restore” the affected joint mechanically and are a kind of lubricant of the articular surfaces. They prevent further destruction of cartilage.
The development of arthrosis is accompanied by an inflammatory process. To combat it, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. But their use is like a double-edged sword - it can be vital, or it can be very dangerous. Therefore, only the art of a doctor can skillfully direct it to the inflammatory process and at the same time avoid the risks of developing gastritis, thrombosis, and liver diseases.
At home, as prescribed by a doctor, the patient can use distracting agents in the form of ointments, rubs, gels, and herbal infusions. Physiotherapy, acupuncture, hirudotherapy (leech treatment), as well as sanatorium-resort treatment in the stage of remission (attenuation of the disease) using natural mud and mineral baths give good results.
Treatment with leeches is not very common, but gives good results
Pain and damage to the knee joint (in this case we are talking about gonarthrosis) never appear suddenly, in one second. Arthrosis in the knee joint increases gradually. First, pain appears when walking for a long time, when climbing or descending stairs. Also, the seriously ill patient is given starting movements after sleep and sitting. After rest, knee pain disappears. At the first stage of the disease, the joint has the same shape, but may be swollen. Over time, the pain increases and mobility decreases. The knee bends less and less and only reaches 90 degrees. There is deformation of the joint, a rough crunch appears, and it becomes more and more intense. At the third stage, the mobility of the joints is reduced to a minimum, they are deformed even more, the legs are bent, and the gait becomes waddling.
Arthrosis of the hip joints (coxarthrosis) develops after 40 years of age, and women are more likely to suffer from it. This is the most severe form of degenerative joint disease. It is often caused by congenital dysplasia, dislocations and subluxations, previous diseases and injuries of the femoral head. The main symptom of the disease is pain in the groin, which extends no more than to the knee, intensifies when walking and is especially difficult to get out of a chair or bed.
Gradually, signs of arthrosis of the hip joint are complemented by limited movement of the affected leg. A person can no longer move his leg to the side or pull it towards his chest; a rough, dry crunch appears. He finds it difficult to put on socks and shoes and begins to limp. If the patient is placed on his back, it will be clearly visible that the affected leg has become shorter and turned outward. Further, due to lameness, fatigue appears in the lumbar region and pain at the site of attachment of the tendons in the knee joint. These pains can be even worse than groin pain and can lead to misdiagnosis.
Maintain physical activity, avoid hypothermia and professional overload, do not injure your joints and spine, eat rationally. Take care and train your skeletal system.
Arthritis and arthrosis are the names of two different joint diseases . They differ from each other in the causes of development, the characteristics of pathological changes occurring in the joints, symptoms and treatment.
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Arthritis is an inflammation of one or more joints , which is most often a manifestation of more extensive and serious pathological changes in the body, for example, autoimmune or infectious processes or metabolic disorders. Less commonly, arthritis occurs as a result of injury; in such cases, it is the injured joint that becomes inflamed, while others remain intact.
Diseases accompanied by the development of arthritis:
In addition, a separate group includes reactive arthritis, which occurs as a complication of infectious diseases : intestinal infections, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, mycoplasmosis, influenza and other viral infections.
Inflammatory changes in arthritis primarily affect the synovial membrane (synovitis develops) and synovial fluid. The amount of the latter increases, which explains the swelling of the inflamed joints. The cartilage tissue lining the articular surfaces of the bones also suffers - erosive defects gradually form on it, exposing the bone.
Arthrosis is a non-inflammatory disease; pathological changes in the joint are caused by degeneration of the cartilage covering the articular surfaces of the bones. Although it is often the long-term inflammatory process that contributes to the thinning and damage of cartilage tissue.
Arthrosis develops mainly in older people, which is associated with age-related wear and tear of cartilage and osteoporosis, which negatively affects the condition of the entire musculoskeletal system. However, the disease can also occur at a young age, for example, in athletes, in workers in professions that involve excessive stress on the joints, and in obese people.
All manifestations of arthrosis that bother patients develop due to thinning and dystrophic changes in cartilage, their inability to fully perform the shock-absorbing function, exposure and friction of the bones that form the joint, the proliferation of bone tissue (such growths are called osteophytes), a decrease in the amount of synovial fluid, which should wash the articular surfaces.
It is not difficult to completely restore JOINTS! The most important thing is to rub this into the sore spot 2-3 times a day.
Arthritis and arthrosis can develop in any joint, but in most cases there is a certain pattern in the localization of the pathological process in each of these diseases:
In addition to the peculiarities of the localization of the pathological process, arthrosis and arthritis have serious differences in symptoms:
It is also worth noting that with arthritis, patients note a significant deterioration in their health, weight loss, periodic increases in body temperature and the appearance of other symptoms of the underlying disease. Patients with arthrosis are only concerned about a poorly functioning and very painful joint.
To make an accurate diagnosis (arthrosis or arthritis in a patient) and prescribe the correct treatment, doctors send the patient for an examination, which usually includes:
Since arthrosis and arthritis have different causes and mechanisms of development, the approach to their treatment is radically different.
With arthritis, it is important for doctors to identify the cause of joint inflammation and, if possible, eliminate it. This is what all therapeutic measures are aimed at. So, for arthritis of an infectious nature, patients are prescribed antibiotics. If joint inflammation is caused by an autoimmune process, hormones and cytostatics. For gout, specific drugs are used that affect the formation of uric acid, etc.
For arthrosis, the main goals of treatment are restoration of cartilage tissue and restoration of joint mobility. Therefore, patients are prescribed chondroprotectors, hyaluronic acid, sessions of physiotherapy and manual therapy, and physical therapy courses.
For pain relief for both arthrosis and arthritis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used internally and externally (in the form of ointments). For joint inflammation, these drugs not only provide good pain relief, but also help reduce signs of inflammation (swelling, stiffness, redness, etc.).
For both arthrosis and arthritis, both conservative therapy and surgical treatment (minimally invasive operations, joint replacement) can be carried out - it all depends on the degree of dysfunction of the affected joint and the financial capabilities of the patient.
Zubkova Olga Sergeevna, medical observer, epidemiologist
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This disease is also called deforming osteoarthritis, which is a chronic degenerative disease that occurs in waves. The main feature is that the cartilage tissue of the joints is affected.
With age, the supply of blood and nutrients to bone tissues decreases in the human body, which causes the development of arthrosis of the joints of the hands, arms, and legs. Unlike arthritis, this type of disease is considered irreversible.
With this disease of the hands, arms, and legs, diagnostics reveals an inflammatory process in one or more joints. The main differences between arthritis and arthrosis are that in the first case, inflammation of the hip, knee, shoulder and other affected joints is detected.
In other words, osteoarthritis manifests itself in the form of destruction of cartilage tissue, and arthritis is accompanied by an inflammatory process. It is these symptoms of arthritis and arthrosis that are the main ones that distinguish which folk remedies will be treated.
There are also other differences between these diseases that are worth identifying.
Arthrosis can be primary and secondary.
The primary form of the disease develops, as a rule, without an obvious cause. The disease makes itself felt at an older age and usually affects the surface of the shoulder, hip, and knee joints, that is, symmetrical articular joints.
The secondary form of arthrosis often appears after suffering a serious illness. The disease can also develop in the presence of a genetic predisposition.
Damage to the shoulder, hip, knee and other joints occurs with excess weight, heavy physical activity, past joint injuries, and endocrinological diseases.
The inflammatory process in arthritis can occur for various reasons. This disease can also be primary or secondary.
Osteoarthritis usually affects the big toes, as well as large joints, resulting in osteoarthritis of the shoulder, hip, knee or spine.
Less commonly, the disease spreads to the ankles, cartilage tissue of the arms and hands. With rare exceptions, small joints of the limbs are affected.
With arthritis, in turn, diagnostics reveals an inflammatory process in small joints, especially the arms and hands.
Arthritis and arthrosis of the knee, hip, and shoulder joints are accompanied by severe pain. However, the pain in these diseases is different. In particular, arthritic pain usually appears during movement, with heavy loads or after a long walk. It has a nagging, long-lasting character.
As for arthritis of the arms, hands, knee, hip, and shoulder joints, with this type of disease the pain is acute and does not disappear. The pain syndrome makes itself felt especially often at night, closer to the morning.
Stiffness in the morning is a sign of arthritis; with arthrosis, such a symptom is not observed. Meanwhile, with arthrosis changes in the joints, a distinct crunching sound is heard.
Crunching with arthrosis of the hip, knee, and shoulder joints is observed when the cartilage layers are destroyed and bones rub against each other. The stronger the crunch, the higher the stage of arthrosis may be.
During arthrosis, mobility decreases only in the area of the hands, arms, affected knee, hip, and shoulder joints. With arthritis, the patient feels stiffness of movement throughout the body.
With arthrosis, the surface of the joints changes externally, but swelling does not appear.
Arthritis, in turn, is accompanied by the presence of an inflammatory process, which leads to swelling, the appearance of compacted subcutaneous nodules, and the temperature in the affected area increases.
In addition to the inflammatory process, arthritis has the following symptoms:
The difference between arthritis and arthrosis is as follows: arthritis can be eliminated with medication, and arthrosis can be eliminated with medication plus surgery and only after eliminating the main cause such as concomitant diseases, metabolic disorders or injury. Joint inflammation or arthritis can occur after mechanical trauma, long walking or vertical stress. The process involves any joint (upper and lower extremities plus all joints that make up the chest and spinal column) with a single or paired lesion. Inflammation involves not only the articular components, but also all layers of surrounding tissue; this fact depends on the depth of the lesion. With quality treatment, inflammation is eliminated, and cartilage tissue is gradually restored.
Destructive joint pathology or arthrosis can be stopped only after treatment of the underlying disease or correction of metabolism or hormonal composition. The disease consists of partial or complete abrasion of the cartilage plate. The exposed bone becomes covered with osteophytes, which create unbearable pain when moving. Next, the joint loses its biomechanical ability, this is often the fault of the patient - he tries to spare the diseased joint, which quickly undergoes ankylosis. It is this fact that explains the difference between arthrosis and arthritis: with arthritis, the ability to move returns to the joint (unless the anatomical structure of the organ of movement has been disrupted due to an accident or an infectious-inflammatory disease), and with arthrosis, the physiological ability to move is partially restored in the first degree lesions, and in advanced stages - only surgically.
Causes leading to the development of arthritis and arthrosis:
Important! After diagnostic manipulations, it becomes clear where arthritis and arthrosis are, what the difference is and how to treat. Folk remedies can suppress the inflammatory process, but it is impossible to get rid of the disease, so consult a doctor!
Clinical symptoms: what is the difference between arthritis and arthrosis
Attention! When the first symptoms of inflammation appear in the joints of the fingers, there is no need to endure pain and wait for joint deformation - this will lead to irreversible processes in the form of anatomical changes and physiological disorders.
To the question: “arthritis and arthrosis, what is the difference in the fingers?”, there is a reliable answer: a weakening of the grip of the fingers, a decrease in their sensitivity and unbearable pain during physical activity that does not go away after a night’s rest. Treatment is only medicinal.
The difference between arthrosis and arthritis of the knee joint is as follows: with arthritis, the pathology is eliminated after a course of treatment according to a therapeutic regimen, and the biomechanics of the joint is restored after rehabilitation. In case of arthrosis, depending on the degree of damage, biomechanics can be partially restored only after surgery with correction of the articular structure.
These pathologies affect all joints, including the joints of the toes. Arthritis and arthrosis, what is the difference between the toes and the fingers? The fingers on the lower extremities undergo the same changes as on the hands: inflammation, swelling and pain. With arthrosis, joints are subject to destruction and deformation. The anatomical shape changes, and sharp or aching pain is felt when moving. It is difficult to step on, after a long walk, the pain does not stop. It subsides only after an injection of Analgin or Baralgin.
Similarities of joint pathologies:
Patients often ask themselves the question: which doctor treats arthritis and arthrosis? With such pathologies you need to contact a traumatologist, rheumatologist (if the pathology is rheumatoid in nature) or a surgeon. Before consulting with such doctors, you need to be examined by your attending physician at the clinic at your place of residence, undergo laboratory tests (general and biochemical), take an X-ray in three projections, MRI plus computed tomography. Next, take a referral for further consultation with specialists in pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.
Having discovered some symptoms or having already established a diagnosis, all patients are looking for information: “Arthritis and arthrosis treatment with medications.” This is the right tactic, but treatment should be prescribed only by the attending physician and under his close supervision.
Treatment tactics begin after a thorough instrumental and laboratory examination. It depends on the form and stage of the pathology, so the treatment method is selected individually, namely:
Reducing physical activity, eliminating excessive salt and pepper, fried foods and fatty foods from the diet, as well as alcohol + tobacco smoking are integral components of therapeutic therapy. For diabetes mellitus, follow a strict diet and take medications to regulate sugar levels.
Important! For the effective treatment of arthritis of any etiology (including treatment of rheumatoid arthritis), the drug Neurobinon is recommended. It contains a certain dosage of B1, B6 and B12.
What is the essence of the effectiveness of vitamins B1, B6 and B12 in the treatment of arthritis? Thiamine alleviates pain by reducing nervous excitability. Pyridoxine - stimulates sphingolipids of nerve fibers, plus increases the level of metabolism of the osteoarticular system, improving the metabolism of amino acid components. Cyanocobalamin: acts on brain neurons, improves the production of red blood cells.
Several points are added to the indicated treatment regimen for arthritis, namely:
Surgery is the best treatment option. Firstly, this treatment method eliminates the destructive components of the joint and artificially increases the substance that replaces the cartilage. Secondly, endoprosthetics of the diseased joint is performed. The rehabilitation period after surgery depends on the volume of the postoperative area and the individual physiological abilities of the body.
For both pathologies, local treatment with ointments + gels based on painkillers, hormones and chondroprotectors is recommended. There is no need to ask yourself the question “arthritis and arthrosis, what is the difference and how to treat with ointments” - these drugs are prescribed for both diseases.
As soon as a joint becomes inflamed, everyone starts looking for information: arthritis and arthrosis, what is the difference, treatment with folk remedies. Arthritis or arthrosis allows you to include some folk remedies in the therapeutic treatment regimen. But! These healing substances are used only in parallel with complex therapy. They can eliminate pain and reduce inflammation. Traditional medicine is powerless to completely eradicate the disease.
Preventive measures are aimed at preserving the cartilage layer plus the functionality of the joint throughout life. To do this you need to do the following:
Osteoarthritis and arthritis are related diseases, so everyone needs to know what arthritis and arthrosis are, what the difference is, what to treat. Both pathologies cannot be completely cured, especially arthrosis, which leads to immobilization of the joints. But timely treatment will help eliminate disability and live a full life. And we must remember that folk remedies are not primary medicines, but auxiliary ones, which have their advantages after complex treatment.
Arthritis is usually called any inflammation of a joint (the name “arthritis” comes from the Greek word arthron, which means “joint”, the ending IT in medicine means inflammation). Arthritis can be of traumatic, infectious and dystrophic origin.
Damage to one (arthritis) or several joints (polyarthritis) can be a symptom of other diseases. Arthritis often occurs due to repeated minor injuries, open or closed injuries to the joints. Arthritis can develop with frequent physical overexertion and hypothermia. Various infections (for example, intestinal or urinary) can also cause arthritis, called reactive arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis also occurs, in which progressive inflammation of several joints (most often small) occurs, with the limbs affected symmetrically. Older people often suffer from this. Metabolic disorders can also cause arthritis.
Arthritis in its various forms can be characterized by different combinations of symptoms. Arthritis usually causes swelling and pain in the affected joints. In the initial stages of the disease, pain can occur both during movement and physical activity, and at certain times of the day (for example, at night or in the form of morning stiffness). If arthritis becomes chronic, the pain may become constant. In addition, the inflamed joint usually becomes red, swollen and even deformed, its function is disrupted, and in severe cases of arthritis it becomes completely immobile.
Causes of arthritis: bacterial, viral or fungal infection, injury, allergies, metabolic disorders, diseases of the nervous system, lack of vitamins. Typically, infection enters the joints through the circulatory system from another part of the body; this can occur due to injury, surgery, or a general decrease in immunity.
Arthritis includes:
All of them are associated with inflammation of the synovial membrane - a thin film of connective tissue lining the joint from the inside.
Degenerative arthritis includes traumatic arthritis and is associated with damage to the articular cartilage that covers the ends of bones at the point of articulation.
Arthritis is characterized by pain in the joint, especially when moving, there are often restrictions on its mobility, swelling, changes in shape, sometimes the skin over the joint turns red and fever appears.
Symptoms of infectious arthritis are redness, swelling of the joint, pain when pressed, the joint may be hot to the touch, and general symptoms of an infectious disease are often observed - fever, chills, pain throughout the body.
There is arthritis of one joint (monoarthritis) and many (polyarthritis).
Arthritis can begin suddenly and be accompanied by severe pain in the joint (acute arthritis) or develop gradually (chronic arthritis). Some people experience a sharp, aching or dull pain. This pain is comparable to toothache. Movement in this joint is usually impaired and stiffness is observed.
Treatment for arthritis depends on the form of the disease. First of all, it is necessary to eliminate its underlying cause (infection, excessive exercise, poor diet, alcohol abuse).
Treatment of arthritis primarily involves taking antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, often administered intra-articularly. When treating arthritis, specialists also pay great attention to physiotherapeutic procedures and therapeutic exercises necessary to maintain joint mobility and preserve muscle mass.
Read more about the causes, symptoms and treatment of arthritis in the article Arthritis - inflammation of the joints >>
Arthrosis is a chronic metabolic disease of the joints, accompanied by changes in the articulating surfaces of the bones. The more correct name for arthrosis is osteoarthritis.
The main symptoms of arthrosis: severe pain in the joint, decreased joint mobility. If arthrosis is neglected, joint immobility occurs.
The main difference between arthrosis and arthritis: with arthrosis, the main destructive activity is performed not by inflammatory, but by degenerative processes in the articular cartilage; the cartilage is destroyed.
Arthrosis is not an inflammatory disease and therefore has nothing in common with arthritis or chronic polyarthritis, in which joint inflammation is based on a reactive pathological change in the joint fluid. The same can be said about acute arthritis - inflammation of the joints caused by various infectious agents.
Characteristic symptoms of arthrosis are pain during exercise, which subsides with rest, limited mobility and crunching in the joint, muscle tension in the joint area, possible periodic swelling, and gradual deformation of the joint. But at the same time, unlike arthritis, there is no redness of the joint, it is not hot to the touch.
Unlike arthritis, arthrosis is a disease of the joints, accompanied primarily by the destruction of cartilage, and inflammation occurs later and may not be permanent.
In the initial stages, arthrosis manifests itself in the form of unpleasant sensations and crunching when bending the joints. When arthrosis begins to progress, pain appears during movement and physical activity, intensifying towards the end of the day (it usually subsides during the night, and a person suffering from arthrosis may not pay attention to the disease for a long time). In the later stages of arthrosis, the mobility of the joints is completely impaired, and pain torments the person more and more often.
Arthrosis is very dangerous, and if degenerative tissue changes have gone too far, the doctor will not be able to restore the joint. Usually it is only possible to slow down the progression of the disease, relieve inflammation (through the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and reduce pain. To prevent arthrosis from leading to disability, the patient should try to reduce the load on the affected joint and get rid of excess weight, which is facilitated by physical therapy and physiotherapeutic procedures. Severe arthrosis may require surgical intervention.
Arthrosis causes pathological changes in joint tissue, and the causes of the disease are still not fully understood. Arthrosis develops under the influence of various genetic (arthrosis most often affects women, as well as people with congenital diseases of bones and joints) and acquired (old age, excess weight, previous joint surgeries) factors. Osteoarthritis can also occur as a result of excessive stress on the joints or their injuries. It is customary to distinguish between primary and secondary arthrosis. Primary arthrosis is the result of disruption of the regeneration processes of cartilage cells, which can occur due to poor blood supply and nutrition of joint tissues. It is believed that secondary arthrosis develops in an already affected joint, but it is difficult to draw a clear boundary between these two forms.
Arthrosis can occur as a result of intoxication, infectious diseases (for example, typhus, syphilis, etc.). Arthrosis can also occur due to joint injuries (fracture of the articular ends of bones, damage to articular cartilage), with significant functional overload of the joint (for example, ballet dancers, loaders and etc.). Occupational stress is of known importance (for example, arthrosis among workers in hot shops).
Primary arthrosis accounts for approximately 40-50% of all cases of arthrosis. In this case, the disease occurs on a previously healthy joint, and its cause is not damage to the joint, but, for example, heavy physical work.
Secondary arthrosis accounts for approximately 50-60% of cases. In this case, the joint susceptible to arthrosis was deformed even before the disease - for example, as a result of injury.
Arthrosis affects 10 to 15% of the world's population. With age, the risk of arthrosis increases significantly. Symptoms of arthrosis are often detected as early as 30-40 years of age. 27% of people over 50 years old suffer from arthrosis. And after 60 years, almost everyone suffers from this disease. The incidence of arthrosis is the same among men and women. An exception is arthrosis of the interphalangeal joints - this type of arthrosis occurs most often in women.
Most often, arthrosis is destructive changes in cartilage and bone tissue that occur with age as a result of natural aging. Statistics are also eloquent. Upon reaching 60-70 years of age, the disease arthrosis is diagnosed in 60-70% of people. The words “arthrosis” and arthritis are similar only phonetically, but the causes may be different, and so can the treatment.
When highlighting the differences between arthrosis and arthritis, it is important to realize the different direction in which the destructive and deforming process occurs. If you have arthrosis, then the metabolism in the joint is disrupted, its elasticity is lost, the cartilage becomes thinner and every movement causes pain. If you have arthritis, then microbes or even your own immune system have attacked the joint, your body works against its tissue and this causes inflammation, pain and changes that are deforming in nature. Understanding this is important because it determines treatment. While arthritis will suppress infection or autoimmune processes, mechanical restoration of the joint is the primary goal for treating patients with arthrosis.
The first blow is taken by the knee joints, elbow joints, and arms. Thus, arthrosis of the knee joint is the most common. Over time, deforming arthrosis occurs, the joints begin to deform, and due to curvature, the affected areas can take on bizarre shapes. There are, in particular, terms such as “swan neck”, “button loop”. If a person has arthrosis deformans and the fingers are affected, then in appearance they may become shorter.
Deforming arthrosis is a disease of our time; a sedentary lifestyle has led us to it. Nature destined us to live differently, but by automating processes, man “earned” a lot of sores with which people pay for all the benefits they receive. Deforming arthrosis usually affects the supporting joints. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is explainable because its peculiarity, unlike other joints, is the heavy loads it bears. Nature did not take much care in feeding such overworked places. And since the cartilage of the knee joint does not have its own vessels, it can atrophy as a result of aging or under the influence of infections or injuries.
The most common diseases are arthrosis of the joints of the lower half of the body (hip, knee, first metatarsophalangeal). Most often, osteoarthritis affects the knee (gonarthrosis) and hip (coxarthrosis) joints. One of the earliest symptoms of arthrosis is pain in the knee joints. At the beginning of the disease, it is practically absent at rest, but appears when the joint is loaded. For arthrosis of the knee joints, massage of the lower extremities can be useful, but direct impact on the diseased joint should be avoided, as this can increase the inflammatory reaction in it.
In the hands, the joints of the phalanges of the fingers are most often affected by arthrosis. Arthrosis usually occurs first on one joint, and then on the second - symmetrical to the first.
Ankylosing spondylosis (Bechterew's disease) leads to limitation of the motor capabilities of the spine due to the connection, i.e. fusion of some joints.
The results of an X-ray examination reveal that the spine, subject to arthrosis, looks like a bamboo stick.
1. Central - only the spine is susceptible to arthrosis
2. Arthrosis affects not only the spine, but also the shoulder or hip joints.
3. Peripheral - the spine and peripheral joints are susceptible to arthrosis
4. Scandinavian - damage by arthrosis occurs in the spine and small joints of the hands and feet
5. Ankylosing spondylitis with extra-articular manifestations: damage to the eyes, cardiovascular system, kidneys, lungs in the form of fibrosis.
Patients with arthrosis cannot do this.
The basis of the disease is a malnutrition of the articular (epiphyseal) ends of the bones. Due to changes in patency or damage to the vessels supplying the bone, aseptic necrosis occurs, aggravating lesions in the joint. Arthrosis is progressive. Initially, painful changes appear in the inner (so-called synovial) membrane of the articular capsule, then they capture the cartilage covering the articular surfaces of the articulating bones; the cartilage gradually breaks down, exposing the bone; The bone tissue is thinned in places, thickened in places, bone spike-like outgrowths are formed - osteophytes, and a picture of deforming arthrosis develops. Osteophytes can break off and then arthrosis is accompanied by arthritis - inflammation of the joint.
More often, arthrosis develops in the hip, knee and first metatarsophalangeal joints. Typically, middle-aged and elderly people suffer from arthrosis. Arthrosis is manifested by pain that appears gradually, occurs periodically, worsens after sudden physical exertion or, conversely, after a long period of rest. Due to pain, mobility in the joint is limited. Arthrosis is accompanied by inflammation of the tissues surrounding the joint and nerve trunks; joint function also suffers due to protective muscle tension.
Treatment of arthrosis is outpatient and in sanatorium-resort conditions. Prescribe painkillers, hormonal drugs (adrenocorticotropic), physiotherapy (thermal procedures, ultrasound), therapeutic exercises, massage. In severe cases, surgery (arthrodesis, arthroplasty) is used to treat arthrosis.
If the wear and tear of cartilage has not yet progressed too far, medications containing glucosamine sulfate, a natural substance obtained from the shells of marine animals, can help. It has a positive effect on cartilage metabolism and improves joint mobility.
Read more about the causes, symptoms and treatment of arthrosis in the article Arthrosis (Osteoarthritis) >>
The manifestations of the diseases are similar and concern the area of the affected joints and surrounding tissues:
As a result of pinching between the articular surfaces of the cartilaginous and bone fragments of the joint, joint blockade occurs - intense pain, depriving all mobility of the joint.
The most common are reactive arthritis , developing after acute infections of the intestines and genitourinary system. Such arthritis is mild, mainly the joints of the toes become inflamed, around which the skin becomes bluish. Reactive arthritis lasts from several days to several weeks and goes away on its own. However, if the underlying disease is not treated, reactive arthritis can become chronic.
Less common are purulent arthritis caused by infection entering the joint cavity due to injury or blood poisoning. Such arthritis is a complication of the underlying disease, usually severe.
This is the so-called “ flying arthritis ”, which is mild and completely reversible. Such arthritis does not last long and goes away on its own, as if jumping from one joint to another. You should know that rheumatism affects not the joints, but the heart. Rheumatoid arthritis is extremely rare. Do not confuse rheumatoid arthritis with rheumatoid arthritis , which is an independent disease and has nothing to do with rheumatism.
This is a chronically progressive autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of several joints of the limbs. This type of arthritis usually begins with symmetrical damage to the small joints of the hands and feet, eventually affecting larger and larger joints. Rheumatoid polyarthritis is characterized by morning stiffness in painfully swollen joints and increased skin temperature over them. Over time, the affected joints undergo severe deformation with impaired function.
The development of the disease is influenced by a disturbance in the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus, in which degenerative changes occur in the articular cartilage. Inflammation in the joint is mild and intermittent. At the initial stage of the disease, the joints that bear the greatest load are involved in the process: knee, hip, interphalangeal. When moving, pain occurs, the joints thicken and deform, limiting mobility.
As with gout, gouty arthritis involves the deposition of uric acid salt crystals in the joints and other tissues. This type of arthritis develops in middle-aged men - recurrent arthritis affects the feet, ankles and knees. An attack of gouty arthritis usually develops at night after excessive alcohol or meat consumption - the pain increases intensely, reaching its peak after 1-2 hours. Movement in the affected joint becomes impossible, the skin over it turns red and swells. Symptoms of gouty arthritis subside after 1-2 days, leaving no consequences.
If arthritis-arthrosis is suspected, an in-depth examination of the musculoskeletal system is prescribed; in addition, the following may be carried out:
For infectious arthritis, rheumatism, gout, treatment is aimed at eliminating the underlying disease. Elimination of the symptoms of arthritis itself is achieved with the help of anti-inflammatory and painkillers.
For rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, potent drugs can be prescribed:
Severe forms of arthritis usually require surgical intervention:
In the diet of patients with arthritis (during exacerbations), the consumption of table salt is limited and salty foods are excluded. Outside of active inflammation, it is quite enough not to overuse salty foods with a healthy, nutritious diet. A positive effect is observed with therapeutic fasting for 1-3 weeks against the background of a free drinking regime and discontinuation of medications. During fasting, patients note a decrease in the intensity of joint pain, morning stiffness decreases, and hand grip strength improves. However, after fasting during the period of restorative nutrition, all symptoms of the disease resume.
There are no scientifically based dietary recommendations for osteoarthritis yet. In the case of treating osteoarthritis with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, heartburn, pain, diarrhea, it is recommended to exclude meat and fish broths, sauces, spices, seasonings, mushrooms, legumes, white cabbage, salted and pickled vegetables, alcohol, carbonated drinks. If you are at risk of developing iron deficiency anemia, your diet should include meat, meat products, and fish.
Recently, it has become fashionable to “treat” with dietary supplements. If you are one of these people, then dietary supplements containing glucosamines and chondrontin sulfate, which affect the structure of cartilage: structum, arthra, teraflex, inoltra, may be of minor benefit.
Among medications, preference is given to ointments and gels, because they, unlike painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs taken orally, do not have a strong negative effect on the gastrointestinal tract and the functioning of the hematopoietic organs:
The bee lands on the sore joint, while holding onto its wings so that the insect stings the affected area. The number of bites is carried out according to the following scheme:
After a week, the course can be repeated, but no more than 3 times.
ATTENTION! The information provided on this site is for reference only. Only a specialist doctor in a specific field can make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.