What is the Difference Between Rheumatoid Diseases? How to detect problems in time?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic inflammatory disease of connective tissue that affects small joints (elbows, knees, hands, and feet) in an erosive and destructive manner. The result is bone erosion and its subsequent deformation. Over time, the symptoms of the disease can worsen and lead to disability. About 60 million people worldwide have the disease. The disease is more common in women, with an average age of 30 to 35 years.
![Joints Affected by Arthritis and Arthropathy](/images/articles/806/Joints%20Affected%20by%20Arthritis%20and%20Arthropathy.jpg)
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that affects the cartilage tissue of the ankle, knee, shoulder, hip, and feet. Progressive forms flow into osteoarthritis, which limits a person's motor activity. The disease can develop in two symmetrical joints at the same time. Sometimes in different places, for example, knees and hips on one limb.
Rheumatoid polyarthritis is a real problem in modern rheumatology. In addition to joints, the disease can spread to internal organs and muscles. The disease develops symmetrically in both arms or legs. The disease often leads to disability.
Rheumatism affects the connective tissue of the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems, knee joints, elbow joints, ankle joints and the heart itself. Locally, the disease affects a person's internal organs and systems. This disease requires prompt treatment. Failure to do so can lead to complications with fatal consequences.
main difference
People who are sick visit their doctor for joint discomfort, pain, and limited mobility. The symptoms of arthritis and arthropathy are similar, but there are differences in characteristics.
Arthritis changes:
- Fluid in the synovium, inflammation of the joint capsule;
- hot;
- redness in the painful area;
- Both joints are injured at the same time;
- No joint deformities.
Inflammation of cartilage begins with infection, injury, or disturbance of the metabolic process.
Joint Physiology:
- improve joints;
- Cartilage tissue wears down with age;
- Inflammation, swelling and redness were not observed;
- normal temperature;
- Only one joint is affected.
The disease is painful when simple movements are performed: bending, bending, straightening, raising a leg or arm. The patient was barely sitting in the chair and walked down the stairs.
signs and symptoms
Diseases have common symptoms:
- difficulty walking;
- Pain in the inflamed area;
- Problem areas have poor liquidity.
The patient's normal lifestyle is disrupted. Waking up every morning, you need to "scatter" to get to the kitchen, overwhelming the pain.
what is more dangerous
The disease brings a lot of pain and trouble to the patient.
Arthritis occurs as a result of inflammation in the body. He is being treated. It is important to contact a specialist promptly, rather than waiting for bone erosion and other complications.
Arthropathy is a "disease of old age" in which changes occur inside the joints. Worn cartilage thins. Synovial fluid, a source of tissue nutrition, was not restored. The consequences of this disease are irreversible. To alleviate a person's condition, one can become a specialist who will establish a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
diagnosis
It includes performing various procedures and activities. During the exam, doctors learn about past infections and injuries from people with arthritis. Determine the course of the disease and prescribe the diagnosis:
- A blood test to detect uric acid.
- Joint ultrasound.
- X-ray of the affected area.
- Computed Tomography.
- Arthroscopy.
The results fully showed the clinical manifestations of the disease.
Step-by-step diagnosis of arthropathy:
- Visually, doctors assess the mobility of the joint. Is there an area of ossification observed in the problem area and is there a crunching sound. What is the state of the muscles around the painful joint?
- Bone growth and deformities in the joints help to see X-rays.
- Analysis and histology of synovial fluid.
- Complete blood count.
physical training
I would like to point out exercise therapy, swimming - effective in helping prevent and treat joint disease. Physical activity aims to restore joint mobility. Movements that increase blood flow to the affected area stimulate the cleaning and recovery of joint tissue.
We cannot forget the limitations of physiotherapy practice:
- It is performed during periods of relief without severe pain.
- In old age, the existing pile of diseases or joints are severely degraded and physical exercise is not allowed.
- Overweight patients can perform limited exercise without severe strain.
- The effect of exercise therapy is regular movement, alternating with periods of rest for the joints.
Rheumatoid disease is treated by rheumatologists and orthopaedic traumatologists. Early diagnosis and proper treatment will allow you to live without complications. Patients who seek help in a timely manner will have the opportunity to continue to live normally. For arthropathy, this is to relieve the condition and stop the disease from progressing. Most importantly, don't become disabled.