Two joint diseases, but two distinct mechanisms
L'osteoarthritis and thearthritis are two joint pathologies that are frequently confused. Both cause pain, stiffness and discomfort when moving, but their causes, development and treatments are radically different.
Dr. Coulin emphasizes the importance of not confusing them: a precise diagnosis is the condition for appropriate and effective treatment.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a disease degenerative, linked to the progressive wear of the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones. As this cartilage deteriorates, the bones rub against each other, causing:
- Mechanical pain (appearing mainly during exercise or at the end of the day).
- Joint stiffness after immobility.
- Sometimes visible deformations of the joint.
Osteoarthritis mainly affects:
- Knees, hips, hands and spine.
- People over 50.
- Stressed or misaligned joints.
It's a disease chronic and non-inflammatory, whose progression is slow but continuous. It cannot be completely cured, but its symptoms can be relieved and its worsening slowed down thanks to appropriate treatment: rehabilitation, infiltrations, regenerative treatments or surgery if necessary.
What is arthritis?
L'arthritis, unlike osteoarthritis, refers to a joint inflammationIt does not result from mechanical wear, but from a disruption of the immune system, an infection or a metabolic disorder that causes an inflammatory reaction.
The most common forms are:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune disease).
- Psoriatic arthritis.
- Infectious or reactive arthritis.
- Gout (microcrystalline arthritis linked to uric acid deposits).
Unlike osteoarthritis, arthritis can occur at any age, including in young adults. It manifests itself through:
- Inflammatory pain (present at rest and at night).
- Joint swelling often associated with warmth and redness.
- Prolonged morning stiffness (several dozen minutes).
The treatment of arthritis is essentially based on a targeted medical approach, often coordinated with a rheumatologist. It may include anti-inflammatories, immunosuppressive background treatments, or biotherapies in severe cases.
How to tell the difference?
To distinguish osteoarthritis from arthritis, several criteria are essential:
| Criteria | Osteoarthritis | Arthritis |
| Mechanism | Mechanical wear of cartilage | Inflammation of the joint |
| Age | Especially after 50 years old | At any age, often young adult |
| Type of pain | Mechanical (during exercise, at the end of the day) | Inflammatory (at rest, at night) |
| Stiffness | Brief, after the immobility | Prolonged, especially in the morning |
| Affected joints | Knees, hips, spine, hands | Small joints, wrists, ankles |
| Swelling | Rare or moderate | Frequent, with warmth and redness |
| Evolution | Slow, gradual | By pushes, variable |
| Treatment | Mechanical, regenerative or surgical | Medical (anti-inflammatories, immunosuppressants) |
This distinction between osteoarthritis and arthritis is crucial, because it directly conditions the therapeutic strategy.
Why is this distinction essential ?
To confuse osteoarthritis And arthritis, it is risking:
- To miss out on an inflammatory or autoimmune pathology.
- To adopt an inappropriate or even useless treatment.
- To delay the implementation of essential basic treatment.
- To misguide the patient in their care pathway.
This is why Dr. Coulin works in close collaboration with rheumatologists in order to guarantee a reliable diagnosis and care adapted to each patient.
Osteoarthritis and arthritis: two different therapeutic approaches
For osteoarthritis : the goal is to relieve symptoms, preserve mobility and slow progression. This involves physiotherapy, infiltrations (hyaluronic acid, PRP, Arthrosamid®), correction of mechanical axes, and, as a last resort, surgery (osteotomy or prosthesis).
For arthritis : the goal is to control inflammation and stop flare-ups. This often requires long-term drug treatment, prescribed by a rheumatologist, in addition to rehabilitation to maintain joint mobility.
Do you experience persistent joint pain, whether at rest or during exercise ?
Dr Coulin welcomes you to Geneva to establish a clear diagnosis, analyze your imaging tests and guide you towards the most appropriate treatment, whether medical, regenerative or surgical.
An accurate diagnosis makes it possible to distinguish between osteoarthritis And arthritis, and therefore to choose the most effective therapeutic strategy.
