Osteoarthritis is often accompanied by arthritis, an inflammatory process in the joint tissues. Arthrosis involves destruction and deformation of a certain area. Both syndromes affect the patient’s quality of life and require timely detection and treatment.
Causes
More often, degenerative diseases of joint tissues develop after physical exertion or as the body ages. Arthrosis and arthritis have several common causes:
- hereditary predisposition;
- infectious diseases with severe course;
- incorrect concentration of hormones in the body;
- autoimmune diseases;
- intense physical activity, overexertion;
- joint damage;
- congenital abnormalities in the development of joint tissue;
- complication after surgical treatment;
- alcohol abuse;
- hypothermia of the body;
- frequent stressful situations.
Quote 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 can also occur separately as independent diseases. You just need to take into account that if arthrosis is not treated, arthritis will appear.
What does arthritis mean in arthrosis?
The inflammatory process is often detected when 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 joint;
- 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;
- disruption of the functioning of internal systems.
Varieties
There are several possible types of arthritis when cartilage is affected:
- reactive, progresses when infected with a pathogenic microorganism. More often found in people suffering from chronic diseases;
- rheumatoid arthritis involves the spread of the inflammatory process to the connective tissues, causing restrictions in the mobility of the upper and lower extremities;
- crystalline, progresses with impaired metabolism. 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 various parts of the body;
- infectious progresses against the background of various infections of an acute or chronic nature. More often diagnosed in large articular tissues.
What can be confused with
Symptoms of arthritis 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 arthritis symptoms 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 daily;
- walk in the fresh air more often;
- control the level of pressure in blood vessels;
- harden up in the morning;
- avoid passive smoking.
When and which doctor to contact
An arthrologist treats the inflammatory process in joint tissues. If the patient does not have the opportunity to consult a specialist in this profile, it is recommended to make 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 conduct an external examination of the patient, interview them, and prescribe blood and urine tests. If necessary, arthrography, radiography, magnetic resonance imaging 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 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 of 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 is installed, or the synovial membrane is excised.
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 tissue.