Arthritis vs. Arthrosis – What’s the Difference?

Arthritis and arthrosis are similar conditions. In fact, the two ailments have several things in common. They share similar symptoms and affect your joints, ligaments and bones. But when you’re considering arthritis vs. arthrosis, it’s important to know the key distinctions between both conditions.

What Is Arthritis?

Arthritis is the umbrella term that describes various kinds of conditions that inflame your joints. In a few rare cases, arthritis may affect your skin, muscles or organs. Three common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and gout.

Rheumatoid arthritis makes the synovial membranes surrounding your joints swell and become inflamed. If this condition isn’t properly treated, the membrane and cartilage at the end of the bones will eventually be destroyed.

Osteoarthritis is caused by the deterioration of the cartilage at the end of your bones. The cartilage is the tissue that enables your bones and joints to move smoothly. Osteoarthritis occurs more in the elderly. It can be very painful due to bone-to-bone contact in the joints. It results in swelling and stiffness.

What Are the Symptoms of Arthritis?

The symptoms you see depend on the kind of arthritis in the joints. But the symptoms that usually appear first are stiffness and joint pain. Other symptoms that accompany all kinds of arthritis with inflammation include:

• Shorter range of motion
• Red skin at the affected joints
• Swelling at the joints

What Is Arthrosis?

Arthrosis is the other name for osteoarthritis. This is the most frequently diagnosed form of arthritis. Arthrosis occurs due to wear and tear of the cartilage at the joints. It usually happens because of aging or intense use of the joints during sports, exercise or other activities. After some time, all the cartilage at the end of the bones may wear out and cause painful bone-to-bone contact. Arthrosis can affect any joint, but it’s more common in the knees, hips, hands and neck.

What Are the Symptoms of Arthrosis?

Arthrosis has symptoms that are common to all kinds of arthritis, such as:

• Joint pain
• Stiffness in the joint
• Reduced flexibility in the affected joint
• Bone-to-bone rubbing
• Swelling around the affected joint
• Bone spurs

What Is the Difference Between Arthritis and Arthrosis?

The main difference between arthritis and arthrosis is that arthritis is the term that covers all the types of arthritis, including arthrosis. Another difference is that arthrosis can affect any joint within your body, and it occurs more frequently as you get older due to wear and tear at your joints. In some cases, arthritis is used to refer to rheumatoid arthritis, while osteoarthritis is used to refer to arthrosis.

Call Us for Arthritis or Arthrosis Treatment Today

Whether you have arthritis or arthrosis, we can offer you exceptional and compassionate care. We’re well acquainted with how the pains of these two conditions affect our patients, and we’re ready to implement a treatment plan that relieves your pain, reduces inflammation and improves joint mobility and strength. Give us a call now to book an appointment.