Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease involving cartilage loss. It develops over time due to wear and tear. Osteoarthrosis is another term for OA.
Osteoarthrosis is another term for the degenerative joint disease osteoarthritis (OA). For this article, we will use OA to refer to osteoarthritis.
This article will examine the difference between osteoarthritis and osteoarthrosis, the symptoms of osteoarthrosis, and the risk factors.
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OA is a degenerative joint disease commonly occurring in the knees, hips, and hands but can also affect other joints.
OA involves the breakdown of cartilage over time. When there is no more cartilage, the bone may begin to rub on bone. This results in pain, stiffness, and swelling. People may also experience reduced joint function.
Osteoarthritis is somewhat poorly named since “-itis” implies the presence of inflammation. However, OA does not involve inflammation. Therefore, a better term for the condition is osteoarthrosis, which means joint degeneration.
Osteoarthrosis
It is essential to distinguish these terms from arthritis involving inflammation because there are inflammatory forms of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis. These types of arthritis develop when the immune system attacks the body, particularly the synovium, which lines the joints.
To diagnose OA, a doctor will perform a physical exam, ask for a family history, and collect information about a person’s symptoms and medical history. The diagnostic process may also involve X-rays and other imaging or lab tests.
With OA, symptoms may come on
- pain and aching in a joint
- stiffness in a joint
- decreased range of motion or flexibility
- swelling in a joint
As the damage progresses, pain, swelling, and stiffness may occur. Eventually, this can lead to muscle weakness, which places further stress on the joint. In addition, small bony growths called osteophytes or bone spurs can develop on the edges of the joint.
Pieces of cartilage can break off and float freely in the joint space, causing additional pain and damage.
Inflammatory arthritis is another form of arthritis that involves inflammation. There are
Symptoms of inflammatory arthritis may be localized to joints or systemic, which means it occurs throughout the body. These include:
- swelling, tenderness, and warmth in joints
- morning stiffness in joints
- skin rashes
- eye inflammation
- hair loss
- dry mouth
- fever
There is no cure for OA, so the
Exercise is the best nonmedicinal treatment for controlling pain and improving range of motion with arthritis.
Treatment may include:
- increasing physical activity
- physical therapy, including muscle-strengthening exercises
- weight loss medications
- supportive medical devices
- surgery
The following can increase a person’s risk for OA:
- joint overuse or injury
- age, as middle-aged and older adults are more likely to develop OA than young people
- sex, since after 50, females are more likely to develop OA than men
- a family history of OA
Osteoarthritis and osteoarthrosis are different terms that describe noninflammatory, degenerative joint disease. OA can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion.
The goal for treating both conditions is pain relief and preservation of joint health. A doctor may recommend exercise, braces, shoe inserts, or physical therapy to relieve symptoms.