Arthritis and arthritis: how they are different, symptoms, treatment and prevention

Modern medicine knows dozens, if not hundreds, of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. However, our residents are most often diagnosed with "arthritis" and "arthrosis", especially in the summer, when people forget about any preventive measures and plow their beds from morning to night. what does that mean? Most importantly, how to avoid joint disease?

Arthritis and Arthropathy: What’s the Difference

There is a huge difference between arthritis and joint disease. The ending "-itis" in Latin, considered the native language of medicine, always indicates the presence of an active inflammatory process in the body. Relatively speaking, this is the first stage of joint disease.But in most cases, joints are a natural result of arthritis.Dmitry Tarasov made an analogy comparing joint diseases to new calluses. In the first case, fluid accumulates under the skin - the wound becomes inflamed and causes discomfort. Calluses don't hurt - the skin over them is dead and therefore insensitive. The same is true for joints. In the final stages of joint formation, there are no cartilage cells left and only the bone itself that makes up the joint - this is osteoarthritis.The terms "arthritis" and "arthropathy" apply to all joints. Their pathology can be divided into several groups:

• Diseases of the large joints, that is, diseases of the hip and knee joints;
• Spinal pathology associated with radiculopathy, discs, and facet joints;
• Arthritis and facet joints;
• Disorders of the wrist, elbow, and radiocarpal joints.

As Dmitry Tarasov points out, early joint pathologies are treated conservatively. Doctors will prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs and chondroprotectants - these drugs can improve the function of damaged joints and limit the load on the joints when using crutches or walking sticks.The main task of the doctor is to reduce the manifestations of the process and "eliminate" arthritis.Unlike arthritis, joint disease cannot be cured with conservative methods. There is only one way out - endoprosthesis, joint replacement. That's why it's so important to take care of your joints throughout your life (from a young age, not just when they start to hurt).

causes of arthritis

The most common cause of arthritis is the natural growth process of the joints. As we age, cartilage becomes thinner and destroyed. As a result, doctors say nearly every older person can be diagnosed with the disease.However, arthritis can occur for other reasons as well. The most common - due to diseases related to metabolic disorders. In other words, a person catches a cold or becomes sick, and pathogens enter the joints and cause inflammation - which is also arthritis, but of a different nature.The most common is arthritis after stress and injury. I get to the villa, dig out the bed or go to the gym - and the next day my knees are swollen. After a few days, the pain gradually lessened. This is post exertional arthritis. A sedentary lifestyle is also harmful to joints. In addition, according to experts, the phrase "movement is life" is mainly aimed at joints. They need to be mobile to function properly. If a person is inactive, his muscles and ligaments - everything that makes up joint stability - begin to weaken. Under the slightest load, they can fail.

What to do if you get shot in the back

Everyone knows what it feels like to be shot in the back. Usually, the pain lasts for a few minutes, and then the patient happily forgets about the unpleasant incident. Until next time.In fact, severe back pain can be related to many serious causes and should not be ignored. First, you need to contact a neurologist or orthopedic surgeon. The doctor will prescribe certain studies: X-rays or MRI. After this, further operational algorithms will become clear.Therefore, if tests reveal that the back pain is muscular, your doctor will rule out certain exercises and recommend reducing physical activity. However, low back pain can be related to disc damage, herniation, and hernia formation, which may require emergency treatment, including surgery.It is important to know that treatment of spinal pathology is usually performed by neurologists and spine surgeons rather than orthopedic surgeons. This is logical considering how close the spine and nervous system are to each other.

Can vitamins and orthopedic protection help?

Many people take bone and joint vitamins without a doctor's prescription. HoweverDmitry Tarasov warned that in this case they will not help, but will cause harm. For example, increasing calcium intake will strengthen bones but may have a negative impact on kidney function. This is why before starting a vitamin regimen, you should definitely consult a doctor - an endocrinologist or a therapist.Another way to protect your joints is to purchase orthopedic products: knee braces, corsets, orthotics, bandages. However, such products "take over" some of the functions performed by the human muscle-ligament apparatus. If he is healthy, wearing orthotics will cause the ligaments and muscles to start to become "lazy" and weak. This can cause serious illness. There is only one conclusion: before buying joint "protection", consult a doctor.

Always wear elbow and knee protection when engaging in strenuous exercise. They won't protect you from serious joint damage, but they can minimize damage and protect your skin from damage.