Arthritis and osteoarthritis are two diseases that affect the joints. In many occasions, it is common to talk about them as if they were the same, but in reality they are two different pathologies.
They are two rheumatic diseases, which are more frequent in women than in men. Both generate pain and can affect one or more joints. In this sense, although they seem to be the same disease, the difference lies in their origin and in the treatment of each one of them.
On the one hand, arthritis is an inflammation that affects the synovial membrane. It is a disease that causes the synovial fluid, which has the function of lubricating, to spread throughout the joint instead of being absorbed, causing erosion of the bone and cartilage. This pathology can become chronic or can generate other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis or infectious arthritis.
On the other hand, osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disease that affects the cartilage, which is a tissue that prevents the bones of the joint from rubbing together. Over time, the cartilage disappears and the bones rub together, causing pain and loss of flexibility.
Symptoms of arthritis and osteoarthritis
One of the differences between the two diseases is the location of the disease. Generally, arthritis tends to be more localized in the wrists, fingers, knees and ankles. In contrast, osteoarthritis especially affects the spine, hips, knees and feet.
Another difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is the way in which the pain manifests itself. In the case of arthritis, the pain is constant and in osteoarthritis, the pain usually occurs when we move the joint and improves when we leave it at rest.
Arthritis causes the joints to be hot, red and swollen and, over time, they can become deformed. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, causes the joints to creak when they are moved and can become deformed and lose mobility in an advanced stage of the disease.
Finally, another difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis is that many types of arthritis cause weight loss, fever or fatigue among other symptoms. In contrast, with osteoarthritis, only the joints are affected.
Difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis treatment
Arthritis is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and rest. In the case of infectious arthritis, antibiotics should be used, and in the case of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, treatment is with corticosteroids and antirheumatic drugs.
On the other hand, osteoarthritis cannot be cured, so treatment is aimed at reducing pain to improve mobility and joint function. In this sense, it is important to avoid obesity, with a good diet and physical exercise according to the age of the patient and the affected joint. Some analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs can also be taken to treat the pain.