We often hear about these ailments: tendinitis, osteoarthritis, arthritis, etc. But what exactly are they and why do they make our lives difficult?
Tendinitis
Tendinitis results from inflammation of a tendon. Most frequently, the tendons affected are those of the shoulders, knee, elbow, wrist, or hip. Tendinitis occurs when our body is required to perform the same movement daily, particularly with repeated sports sessions, intense DIY/gardening sessions, or due to certain occupations that perform the same movements over a long period or require maintaining a particular position (secretary, childcare worker, etc.). Thus, the pain gradually sets in to the point of becoming unbearable. Sometimes, you may notice abnormal swelling of the inflamed area.
To overcome this inflammation, all that is needed is rest, lots of rest. However, if the pain persists, we recommend making an appointment with a physiotherapist who can provide rehabilitation and massage sessions to gently re-adapt your muscle. Furthermore, your doctor can also prescribe pills, capsules, gels, or appropriate creams to alleviate the pain.
Osteoarthritis
Unlike tendinitis, osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that primarily affects cartilage and adjacent tissues. Generally, it is the result of tissue alteration, meaning that the cartilage, which is supposed to protect the friction of the joints, can no longer do so, unfortunately leading to joint wear and tear. Most often, osteoarthritis generally appears between the ages of forty and fifty. Osteoarthritis is generally distinguished in two different ways:
- Primary osteoarthritis, the most common, however the cause of the disease is most often unknown and it affects joints such as the knees
- Secondary osteoarthritis, this type of osteoarthritis is less recognized but is one of the consequences of other factors such as infections, injuries, metabolic disorders, or congenital joint abnormalities.
Whether primary or secondary osteoarthritis, they generally affect the same body parts: lower back, fingers, knees,... And the pain intensifies each time the affected part is repeatedly and continuously stressed. Osteoarthritis can also be at its peak when the body remains inactive too often, for example upon waking. Other symptoms include swelling, sensations of heat, stiffness, bone cracking, etc. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you are probably suffering from osteoarthritis. To relieve the pain, you can consult a specialist who will provide the necessary care to reduce the pain, or take the medications recommended by your doctor, but the pain will never disappear completely. The diagnosis can also be provided through MRI or X-rays. Finally, you can also wear compression gloves which will significantly relieve your daily pain.
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis and arthritis should not be confused, even if some symptoms are similar. Indeed, osteoarthritis is a mechanical condition characterized by the wear and tear of joint cartilage, while arthritis is not caused by bone wear but is synonymous with several different conditions, characterized by severe pain in the ligaments, tendons, bones, and joints. There are also several different forms of arthritis:
- Wear and tear arthritis, which is very similar to osteoarthritis as it is the result of cartilage destruction due to wear and tear. This type of arthritis mainly affects joints that bear a large part of the body's weight, such as the hips, feet, spine, or knees.
- Polyarthritis, on the other hand, is due to an inflammatory disease that affects the hands and wrists. The cause is still unknown, but according to studies, it could be hereditary. Polyarthritis can also be related to juvenile arthritis, which affects children and adolescents.
- Reactive arthritis, which can occur after an infection.
- Infectious arthritis, which depends on an infection that has affected a joint.
The causes of arthritis differ from person to person and truly depend on each individual. The most common causes are infections, trauma, or autoimmune diseases. However, there are not necessarily plausible reasons for the onset of arthritis. Again, there are no miracle cures, but you can try using ice or heat packs depending on your preferences and also plenty of rest.
✨ Now that you know everything about rheumatism, all you have to do is consult your doctor or physiotherapist to try to alleviate your pain as much as possible.
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