Arthritis and osteoarthritis are two diseases that cause joint pain. However, contrary to what is usually believed, they constitute pathologies with different causes and treatments.
However, the confusion between them can be understandable, since both are rheumatic pathologies that cause pain, affecting one or several joints. However, beyond this point in common, there are many characteristics that allow us to distinguish them.
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Arthritis and osteoarthritis: who is who?
For its part, arthritis consists of an inflammation that affects the synovial membrane . Synovial fluid is a lubricating substance that, when this pathology occurs, spreads throughout the joint instead of being reabsorbed normally. This causes an erosion of the patient’s bone and cartilage.
Instead, osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative process that affects cartilage, a cushion located between the bones of the joints that prevents friction between them. This pathology causes the cartilage to disappear over time, so that the bones begin to rub without cushioning, producing a lot of pain and loss of flexibility.
Differentiating both pathologies can be confusing, since, as we have been saying, both share the component of joint pain. However, this annoyance has different nuances. In the case of arthritis, this discomfort is constant, while in osteoarthritis the pain occurs when the joint moves, relieving with rest. Added to this, arthritis is a disease that, in addition to this symptom, can cause other problems such as weight loss, fatigue or fever. Instead, osteoarthritis affects only the joints .
Differentiating both pathologies has numerous implications and, since their confusion is more than frequent, in this article we are going to delve into their distinctive points.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis consists of an inflammation process that, as we have already mentioned, affects the synovial fluid that lubricates the joints . Instead of being absorbed, it spreads and erodes bone and cartilage. This disease can originate from different causes, such as infections, trauma or even autoimmune diseases.
Arthritis can be of various types, and depending on it, it will affect certain joints of the body. One of the most common is rheumatoid arthritis, which usually attacks the wrists and fingers. Arthritis produces heat in the joints, which are red and inflamed, becoming deformed in the most severe cases.
Although inflammatory pain is the central symptom, in arthritis it occurs in the context of a systemic pathology, so that other organs may also be affected. Therefore, a patient with arthritis may manifest other symptoms in addition to pain, such as weight loss or tiredness.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative process that, unlike arthritis, affects cartilage . Over time, this disease causes the cartilage to disappear or shrink, so that the bones rub together without cushioning. This causes a lot of pain and loss of flexibility.
This pathology is closely linked to aging, so its appearance occurs after 40 years. Other factors, such as overexertion or obesity, can also increase the risk of suffering from this disease. Generally, osteoarthritis is located in the hands, knees, hips, spine and feet. Unlike arthritis, the pain it produces is more mechanical, so it becomes more acute with movement and lessens with rest.
Osteoarthritis causes loss of mobility and deformities in the joints, especially in advanced stages. Patients feel as if the joints creak on movement. In this case, unlike arthritis, there is only joint involvement without other added symptoms.
Arthritis and osteoarthritis: how are they different?
Now that we have defined what arthritis and osteoarthritis are, respectively, we are going to review the essential differences between the two pathologies.
1. Affectation
As we have stated before, arthritis affects the synovial membrane , which, since it is not absorbed, erodes the bone and cartilage. On the contrary, osteoarthritis affects the cartilage, which deteriorates and causes the bones to rub without any type of cushioning pad. In general terms, we could say that arthritis is synonymous with inflammation, while osteoarthritis causes wear.
2. Cause
The cause of both pathologies is also different. In the case of arthritis, it is usually triggered by infections or autoimmune diseases. On the other hand, osteoarthritis usually develops mainly due to aging, so it often appears at older ages.
3. Type of pain
Both arthritis and osteoarthritis are rheumatic diseases that cause pain. However, this will be slightly different in each of them. In the case of osteoarthritis, it produces pain linked to movement, so the discomfort is usually relieved with rest. In contrast, arthritis produces sustained pain.
In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, just the opposite happens to osteoarthritis. The movement helps to relieve discomfort , so that the patient’s joints “grease” with use and reduce pain. This explains why many people with this condition experience severe morning stiffness, especially in the hands and feet.
4. Symptoms
Although both pathologies are characterized by causing pain, a crucial difference between them lies in the existence of extra-articular symptoms. While osteoarthritis only affects the patient by causing joint pain, arthritis is a systemic pathology that can affect other organs of the body. For this reason, arthritis sufferers may experience symptoms other than pain, such as tiredness or fever.
5. Diagnosis
Since they constitute different pathologies, the diagnostic process will also change. In the case of arthritis, there is no specific test to diagnose it. The doctor will need to assess the patient’s inflammation and perform various tests, such as blood or synovial fluid tests.
For its part, osteoarthritis is diagnosed based on a physical examination . Sometimes the doctor may consider performing an X-ray, but this imaging test is not always reliable and observing the clinical picture is the most decisive part.
6. Treatment
In the case of arthritis, treatment will depend on the cause. When the origin is infectious, the use of antibiotics should be resorted to. On the other hand, when it comes to rheumatoid arthritis, it will be preferable to resort to corticosteroids or antirheumatic drugs that contain methotrexate. In other cases, the taking of anti-inflammatories and the rest of the affected joint can be prescribed.
On the contrary, osteoarthritis is a disease that has no cure . Therefore, the treatments applied are aimed at reducing symptoms and improving, as far as possible, mobility. In this sense, adopting healthy lifestyle habits plays an essential role, such as exercising daily (adjusted to the capacity of each patient) and maintaining a balanced diet. This makes it possible to avoid conditions such as obesity, which contribute to aggravating the problem. In order to mitigate the pain, you can use analgesics such as paracetamol, or anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen.
7. Course
The course of both diseases can also be different. In the case of osteoarthritis, this will depend on the joint that is affected. In general, it is usually slow and progressive, but episodes of exacerbation or remission may occasionally occur. In the case of arthritis, this disease usually affects several joints at the same time and its symptoms usually appear in the form of outbreaks .
8. Types
In the case of arthritis, this includes about a hundred different types. In the case of osteoarthritis, this is only one, although the location of the affected joint must be specified.
Risk factors and prevention
Among the risk factors related to these pathologies, the following stand out:
- Age : With the passage of time, the cartilage becomes less elastic and is more likely to initiate the pathology.
- Sex : Women are more vulnerable than men to this type of disease.
- Sedentary lifestyle : Not exercising favors the development of joint problems.
- Overweight and obesity : This is the most important modifiable risk factor to prevent osteoarthritis. Obesity increases the risk of developing it between 4 and 5 times, especially in the knee.
- Family history : Although it is not a hereditary disease, there is a genetic component that, in interaction with other factors, can make those with a family history of osteoarthritis more vulnerable.
- Smoking : Scientific studies suggest that tobacco can be a triggering factor in the onset of arthritis.
In view of these factors, it is clear that lifestyle plays an essential role in the prevention of these diseases. Diet and physical activity seem to have a lot of weight in this regard, especially for osteoarthritis. Tobacco is more important in the prevention of rheumatoid arthritis, since this substance can trigger the risk in those individuals who have a genetic predisposition.
In addition, the prognosis worsens once the pathology has appeared. In any case, it is essential to go to the doctor before the appearance of any discomfort in the joints. Early diagnosis allows prompt intervention and better results, without sequelae or secondary pathologies.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.
