Arthrosis vs Arthritis: How to Tell the Difference, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

What is Arthrosis?

Arthrosis, also known as osteoarthrosis or degenerative joint disease, is a condition that develops when the cartilage that protects and cushions the joints gradually wears down over time. As the cartilage deteriorates, the joint structures may change, leading to degeneration within the affected area. Arthrosis is generally considered a “wear-and-tear” condition and is commonly associated with aging, repetitive joint use, injuries, obesity, and long-term mechanical stress on the joints.

Unlike inflammatory forms of arthritis, arthrosis is primarily degenerative in nature and most commonly affects weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips, spine, hands, and feet.

Types of Arthrosis

• Primary Arthrosis

Primary arthrosis develops naturally with aging and gradual joint degeneration without a specific underlying disease or injury.

• Secondary Arthrosis

Secondary arthrosis occurs due to another condition or contributing factor such as joint injury, obesity, congenital abnormalities, infections, or inflammatory joint diseases.

• Knee Arthrosis (Gonarthrosis)

This type affects the knee joints and is one of the most common forms of arthrosis.

• Hip Arthrosis (Coxarthrosis)

Hip arthrosis involves degeneration of the hip joints and commonly develops with age or long-term joint stress.

• Cervical Arthrosis

This form affects the joints and discs in the neck region of the spine.

• Lumbar Arthrosis

Lumbar arthrosis develops in the lower back portion of the spine.

• Hand Arthrosis

This type affects the joints of the fingers, thumbs, and hands.

• Foot and Ankle Arthrosis

Arthrosis can also affect the joints in the feet and ankles due to repetitive stress and weight-bearing activity.

What is Arthritis?

Common Arthrosis and Arthritis Symptoms

When it comes to comparing arthrosis vs arthritis, it’s worth noting that these diseases affect your joints. However, the symptoms aren’t always the same with every kind of arthritis condition. Therefore, to look at broader and more specific symptoms for these terms will be very useful.

1. Symptoms of arthritis

Let’s start with arthritis. This is a broad name that can be used to refer to various conditions. Arthrosis is one of those conditions, along with Rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and more.

The symptoms of arthritis largely depend on the type you have. Most of these conditions will affect joints and cause pain. Some are also known to cause inflammation in the affected joints, as well as redness and tenderness.

2. Symptoms of arthrosis

If you have arthrosis in particular, then your symptoms will mainly involve pain in the affected joints. Apart from pain, you’re also likely to notice that your joints feel stiff, especially in the morning or after sitting still for a while.

Osteoarthritis causes your joints to deteriorate over time, which can sometimes result in deformities of these joints. For example, if you have arthrosis in your fingers, you may notice that they aren’t as straight as they used to be.

You may also notice other symptoms, such as clubbing of your toes or fingers if you have hypertrophic osteoarthropathy.

Arthrosis and Arthritis Causes

There are different things that can cause arthritis. Therefore, it will always be best to know the specific type of arthritis you may have to determine the potential causes.

With arthrosis, the cause is usually related to years of wear and tear on your joints and cartilage. Injury can also contribute to arthrosis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition. If you have this type of arthritis, it means that your immune system is attacking healthy joint tissue. That causes inflammation and, in the process, damages these joints.

When you know what type of arthritis you have, it’s easier to understand the condition and determine the causes behind the disease. It also makes it easier to address the condition, as you have a better view of the underlying factors causing damage to your joints.

What’s the Difference Between Arthrosis Vs Arthritis?

Arthritis is a common term you may hear, but you need to realize that the word doesn’t refer to just one condition. It’s a series of diseases that affect your joints. Some of these conditions are due to trauma or wear and tear, while others have to do with certain chemicals in your body or even your immune system.

Arthrosis, on the other hand, is a specific type of arthritis. This puts up the difference if you are looking up to the topic of arthrosis vs arthritis.

Risk Factors for Arthrosis and Other Forms of Arthritis

Some people have a greater risk of developing arthrosis and other forms of arthritis. It’s always best to understand your risk to help you implement proper preventative measures.

• Age: The older you are, the more likely you are to develop arthrosis. That’s because the condition is often caused by years of wear and tear.
• Gender: Your gender also matters, as researchers have found that women have a higher risk of developing arthrosis and some other kinds of arthritis compared to men.
• Weight: People who are overweight or obese are also more likely to develop these conditions. When you have too much excess weight in your body, it puts extra pressure on your joints. That can lead to wear and tear.
• Injuries: When you injure a joint, it can cause damage not only to the joint but also to the cushioning around it. This can contribute to arthritis conditions.
• Joint deformities: Deformities in your joints also increase your likeliness of being diagnosed with arthritis at some point.
• Occupation: Certain occupations also carry a greater risk of arthritis conditions. This generally accounts for workplaces that require you to overwork your joints. People who play sports as an occupation also have a risk of suffering direct blows that could lead to the onset of osteoarthritis.
• Genes: Apart from those mentioned above, your genetic makeup also plays a role. Some people are predisposed to a higher risk of arthritis due to their genes.

Diagnosis of Arthrosis and Other Types of Arthritis

Before these conditions can be treated, it’s important to get a diagnosis first. Your doctor will start by asking you more about the symptoms you experience. A physical exam might also be required, as this gives your doctor a better overview of what your specific problem could be.

In addition to talking about your symptoms and doing a physical exam, your doctor also needs to take a closer look at your medical record. They will likely ask about your family history, too, focusing specifically on arthritis, especially if it potentially runs in your family.

The next step usually involves doing some tests. This may include imaging tests, which give the doctor a better view of how severe the condition is. Blood tests may be used if certain types of arthritis are suspected, such as Rheumatoid arthritis or gout.

Treatment Options for Arthrosis and Other Arthritis Diseases

While there are no cures for most forms of arthritis, it’s always good to know that there are treatments available. These treatments mainly focus on reducing your symptoms, while also slowing the progression of the disease.

The treatment for every kind of arthritis can differ. That’s because doctors need to target the underlying factors. If you have arthrosis, your doctor will need to slow down the rate at which cartilage and joints break down. At the same time, your treatment may include strategies to improve your range of motion and make you feel more comfortable.

With a disease like Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, your doctor will need to use medication that reduces the rate at which your immune system attacks your joints. Your doctor may also recommend exercises to relieve joint pain.

Apart from medical treatments, there is also a range of natural options available.

You can take Flexoplex joint health supplement if you want a solution that helps with pain and inflammation while giving you long-term benefits.

Bonexcin for healthy bones is another great idea. This supplement focuses on keeping your bones healthy, which also goes a long way in supporting your joints.

If you’re struggling with pain, a topical option like the Flexdermal pain relief cream offers a short-term solution.

Can Arthrosis or Arthritis Be Reversed?

• Most forms of arthritis cannot be fully reversed but symptoms can often be managed effectively — the goal of treatment is to control pain reduce inflammation preserve joint function and slow progression. 
• Arthrosis — osteoarthritis is considered a chronic condition meaning it doesn't completely go away — however symptoms can absolutely improve — many people experience less pain and better function with the right combination of treatment exercise and joint support — early care often helps slow progression and maintain mobility. 
• RA — remission is achievable with modern DMARDs and biologics; does not mean cured but disease activity can be very low
• Gout — highly controllable with dietary changes and urate-lowering therapy; attacks can be prevented entirely.

FAQs

Can arthrosis be cured?

Unfortunately, no. There isn’t any cure available that will stop the disease completely. However, there are several medical advancements that make it possible to significantly slow down the progression of the condition.

Is walking good for arthrosis?

Yes, walking can be a great way to relieve some of the symptoms of arthrosis and other forms of arthritis. It’s good for people of all ages, but it’s important to ensure you don’t overdo it with walking, especially if you have severe pain.

How serious is arthrosis?

It depends on a couple of factors, such as the severity of your osteoarthritis. It can become serious, and even possibly even make it difficult to care for yourself.

Is yoga good for arthrosis?

Similar to walking and stretching, yoga can also be a great way to reduce pain when you have arthrosis. However, it’s important to explore different yoga poses and to understand your limits.

Conclusion

Arthrosis is a term that may come up when you’re diagnosed with arthritis. However, you may not fully understand the difference when you talk about arthrosis vs arthritis. The term arthrosis, also known as osteoarthritis, is a type of degenerative disease that affects your joints. It can be painful and cause deformities over time. While there are no known cures that completely eradicate it, the condition does have treatments that slow its progression. If you think you are manifesting some of the symptoms mentioned above, it is best to consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

References

1] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/prevalence-of-osteoarthritis
2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK518992/
3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2920876/

Dr. Ahmed Zayad

Dr. Zayed, has years of experience in the field and has been contributing to public health awareness. Dr. Ahmed Zayed holds a baccalaureate of Medicine and Surgery. Egypt. Dr. Zayed believes in providing knowledgeable information to readers. His articles were featured on many websites like HuffingtonPost, Chicagotribune . Other than his passion for writing, Dr. Zayed spends his time outside the hospital, either reading or at the gym.