What is the difference between rheumatic diseases? How can the problem be detected in time?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic inflammatory disease of the connective tissue, in which the patient affects the small joints (elbows, knees, hands and feet) in an erosive-destructive form. The result is bone erosion and subsequent deformation. Over time, the symptoms of the disease worsen and lead to disability. About 60 million people worldwide suffer from this disease. The diseases more often affect women, whose average age is 30-35 years.
![joints affected by arthritis and arthrosis](/images/articles/806/joints%20affected%20by%20arthritis%20and%20arthrosis.jpg)
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects the cartilaginous tissues of the ankles, knees, shoulders, hip joints and feet. The progressive form flows into osteoarthritis, which limits a person's motor activity. The disease can develop in two symmetrical joints at the same time. Sometimes they are different, for example, in the knee and hip on the same limb.
Rheumatoid polyarthritis is a current problem of modern rheumatology. In addition to the joints, the disease also spreads to the internal organs and muscles. The disease develops symmetrically on both arms or legs. The disease often leads to disability.
Rheumatism affects the connective tissue of the cardiovascular and locomotor systems, the knee, elbow, and ankle joints, and the heart itself. Locally, the disease can affect a person's internal organs and systems. The disease requires timely treatment. If this is not done, complications with a fatal outcome occur.
Main differences
Patients come to the doctor with joint discomfort, pain and limited mobility. The symptoms of arthritis and arthrosis are similar, but there are characteristic differences.
arthritic changes:
- the synovial membrane with fluid, the joint capsule becomes inflamed;
- snow;
- redness in the painful area;
- two joints ache at the same time;
- no joint deformation.
Cartilitis starts from an infection, injury or a disturbance in the metabolic process.
Physiology of arthrosis:
- modified joint;
- cartilaginous tissue worn out with age;
- inflammation, swelling and redness are not observed;
- normal temperature;
- only one joint is affected.
Diseases cause suffering to a person when he performs simple actions: bending, bending, straightening, lifting legs or arms. The patient barely sits in a chair, he goes down the stairs.
signs and symptoms
Diseases have common symptoms:
- difficulty walking;
- the presence of pain in the inflamed area;
- poor mobility of the problem area.
The sick person's usual lifestyle is disturbed. Every morning, getting out of bed, you have to "break apart" to go to the kitchen, overcoming the pain.
What is more dangerous
Diseases cause a lot of pain and trouble to the patient.
Arthritis is caused by inflammation in the body. It is under treatment. It is important to consult a specialist in time and not wait for bone erosion and other complications.
Arthrosis is the "disease of the elderly" with changes within the joint. Worn cartilage becomes thinner. The synovial fluid, which is the source of tissue nutrition, is not restored. The consequences of the disease are irreversible. To alleviate the condition, a person can be a specialist who makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment.
Diagnostics
It consists of performing various procedures and activities. During the examination, the doctor asks the arthritis patient about past infections and injuries. It determines the course of the disease and prescribes a diagnosis:
- Blood test to detect uric acid.
- Joint ultrasound.
- X-ray of the affected area.
- CT.
- Arthroscopy.
The results show the clinical picture of the disease in its entirety.
Diagnosing arthrosis step by step:
- Visually, the doctor evaluates the mobility of the joint. Regardless of whether bony areas are observed in the problem area, a crackling sound is heard. What is the condition of the muscles around the painful joint?
- Bone growth and deformity of the joint help in the X-ray image.
- Synovial fluid analysis and histology.
- Complete blood count.
Physical exercise
I would like to note that exercise therapy and swimming effectively help prevent and treat arthrosis. Physical activity aims to restore joint mobility. Increasing the movement of blood flow in the affected area stimulates the cleaning and restoration of joint tissues.
We must not forget the limitations of physiotherapy exercises:
- It is performed during the period of remission, in the absence of severe pain.
- In old age, existing diseases or severe deterioration of the joint do not allow physical exercises.
- Overweight patients can do a limited amount of physical exercise without heavy strain.
- The effect of exercise therapy is regular exercise, alternating with joint rest periods.
Rheumatic diseases are treated by rheumatologists and orthopedic traumatologists. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment will allow you to live without complications. A patient who seeks help in time will have a chance to lead a normal life. In the case of arthrosis, this is alleviation of the condition and stops the progression of the disease. And most importantly, don't become disabled.