Osteoarthritis vs. Osteoarthrosis
Osteoarthritis vs. osteoarthrosis is easily confused. Not only do they sound alike, but they may also affect similar joints and have similar symptoms.
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is undoubtedly the most common form of arthritis. If you hear someone simply say, “I have arthritis in my knee," chances are good that they have osteoarthritis. In fact, it is estimated that 32.5 million – yes, million – Americans suffer from osteoarthritis (OA).
Osteoarthritis is the type of arthritis that forms when the cartilage that protects the joints begins to break down. This eventually causes the wearing down of the bone itself, causing subsequent pain. There’s also a condition that sounds identical to osteoarthritis: osteoarthrosis. Here we will pinpoint the differences between osteoarthritis vs. osteoarthrosis, so you can tell the difference.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
OA symptoms typically manifest when there is already damage to the joints. In fact, OA is not typically diagnosed until the pain is experienced. Pain is the hallmark symptom of OA; pain often occurs during movement.
Other symptoms include:
- Joint stiffness, particularly in the morning or after inactivity.
- Tenderness of the effective joint.
- Swelling is caused when there is inflammation of the joint.
- Bone spurs may form, which are tiny bits of extra bone that form in the joint.
- A grating sensation of the joint may be experienced.
- Reduced flexibility may also be experienced.
Causes of Osteoarthritis
OA is caused when the cartilage protecting a joint breaks down. There are various risk factors that contribute to OA.
Risk factors include:
- Overuse of a joint.
- Increasing age.
- Obesity may place additional stress on the joint.
- A joint injury, particularly from a job or sports.
- Bone deformities that you are born with.
- Being a woman.
Treatment of Osteoarthritis
Treatment of OA takes a multifaceted approach. Most healthcare providers will recommend a variety of treatments to improve the strength, flexibility and pain of a joint affected by OA.
Treatment may include:
- The use of supportive devices, such as a cane.
- Increasing physical activity, particularly with exercises that increase the strength and flexibility.
- Physical therapy.
- Medications, which may include prescription or over-the-counter medications.
- Cortisone injections to the affected joint, which may reduce the pain experienced.
- Hyaluronic acid injections to the affected joint, which cushions the joint.
- Surgery when other treatment options fail.
What is Osteoarthrosis?
Reconstructive Review notes that various leading professionals misuse the medical terms osteoarthritis and osteoarthrosis because of their similarities. Though OA is typically termed degenerative joint disease, the Latin roots of the terms are in contradiction.
Osteoarthrosis may be defined as, “chronic arthritis of noninflammatory character" while osteoarthritis may be defined as, “…noninflammatory degenerative joint disease… characterized by degeneration of the articular cartilage, hypertrophy of the bone at the margins, and changes in the synovial membrane…"
Symptoms of Osteoarthrosis
Using the definitions listed above, osteoarthritis must be chronic in nature. It also must not have routine inflammation.
Osteoarthritis symptoms are otherwise similar (or the same) as that of osteoarthritis:
- Joint stiffness, particularly in the morning or after inactivity.
- Tenderness of the affective joint.
- Bone spurs may form, which are tiny bits of extra bone that form in the joint.
- A grating sensation of the joint may be experienced.
- Reduced flexibility may also be experienced.
Causes of Osteoarthrosis
Causes of osteoarthrosis are the same as that of osteoarthritis:
- Overuse of a joint.
- Increasing age.
- Obesity may place additional stress on the joint.
- A joint injury, particularly from a job or sports.
- Bone deformities that you are born with.
- Being a woman.
Treatment of Osteoarthrosis
Treatment of osteoarthrosis is also the same as that of osteoarthritis:
- The use of supportive devices, such as a cane.
- Increasing physical activity, particularly with exercises that increase the strength and flexibility.
- Physical therapy.
- Medications, which may include prescription or over-the-counter medications.
- Cortisone injections to the affected joint, which may reduce the pain experienced.
- Hyaluronic acid injections to the affected joint, which cushions the joint.
- Surgery when other treatment options fail.
For someone with osteoarthrosis, care should be taken not to cause inflammation, as this is the hallmark difference between osteoarthrosis and OA.
The Link Between Nutrition and Conditions of the Joints
There is evidence that an anti-inflammatory diet can improve symptoms of joint pain and swelling.
The Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics states, “There is considerable evidence linking metabolic syndrome (syndrome X) with inflammatory cytokines implicated in OA. Insulin stimulates chondrocytes and chondroblasts to secrete proteoglycans, which are essential to the proper function of cartilage. Decreased sensitivity to insulin has a detrimental effect on cartilage."
To put this simply – consuming foods that are known to reduce inflammation can reduce the release of harmful substances that may promote joint pain and swelling.
Simple principles of consuming an anti-inflammatory diet include:
- Eating a diet rich in produce.
- Consuming whole grains.
- Consuming fatty fish.
- If choosing to eat meat, selecting meat that is lean cut.
- Avoiding gluten if it is known to be allergenic.
The Bottom Line
Osteoarthritis vs. osteoarthrosis are chronic pain conditions that affect various joints. Osteoarthritis also causes inflammation, while osteoarthrosis lacks inflammation. Causes and treatment approaches are very similar.