Do you have the symptoms of arthralgia or arthritis? Different medical organizations use these terms for joint pain. Some organizations report that joint pain refers to arthralgia or arthritis. It is pain and inflammation within the area of your joint.
However, organizations say that these two conditions are different. Various health organizations tell the difference between arthralgia and arthritis. For example, CCFA (Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America) reports that arthralgia is pain or aching in the joints.
It does not induce swelling in the affected area. CCFA defines arthritis as pain or inflammation of the joints that occurs with swelling. It reports that people may experience the condition of arthralgia in different joints of the body.
They may have this condition in the joints of ankles, hands, and knees. CCFA explains that the condition of arthritis causes stiffness and swelling in the joint area. It induces pain in the joints just like arthralgia.
Relationship Between Arthralgia And Arthritis
Organizations explain the differentiation between arthralgia and arthritis. These organizations explain whether you are having the symptoms of inflammation or pain. CCFA added that if you are having arthralgia then you are not always diagnosed with the condition of arthritis.
The second condition is not true. If you have the symptoms of arthritis then it is possible that you may have arthralgia.
Symptoms
Symptoms of both conditions may overlap. For example, the following symptoms can appear in both conditions.
- Joint pain
- Redness
- Stiffness
- Decreased ability to move joints
These symptoms are characterized as the condition of arthralgia. On the other hand, the main symptom of arthritis is swelling of your joints. Some underlying conditions can lead to arthritis such as gout, lupus, psoriasis, and other infections.
Following are the additional symptoms that denote the condition of arthritis.
- Deformation of joints
- Loss of cartilage and bone that leads to complete immobility of joints
- The intense pain from the scraping of bones against each other
Risk Factors And Causes
Following are the risk factors that can lead to joint pain in people.
- Complications from any joint injury
- Having excess body weight that puts pressure on your joints
- Rheumatoid arthritis in which the immune system of people wear away the membrane that surrounds joints, leading to swelling and inflammation
- Osteoarthritis condition which leads to scraping of your bones when the cartilage in the area of your joints completely wears away
The causes of arthralgia are wide. These causes are not necessarily associated with the symptoms of arthritis. Here are the causes of arthralgia.
- Distortion of joints
- Joint sprains
- Tendinitis
- Bone cancer
- Hypothyroidism
It is not easy to expand whether you are suffering from arthralgia or arthritis or any other condition related to your health. Arthralgia can be associated with various conditions.
You may think that you are experiencing the symptoms of arthritis when actually you have arthralgia caused by any other underlying condition. Joint conditions have similar symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing swelling, joint pain, and stiffness.
Your doctor will diagnose the condition of joints well. Moreover, you should seek medical care immediately if your joint pain is the result of an injury especially if it is severe and the sudden swelling of joints occurs. You also need medical attention if you are unable to move your joint.
Diagnosing The Conditions Of Arthralgia Or Arthritis
Not all the pain in the joints needs emergency medical care and treatment. Make a regular schedule of appointments with your doctor if you are experiencing mild symptoms. If your joint pain involves tenderness, swelling or redness then visit your doctor.
You should be evaluated punctually if you have diabetes or a weak immune system. Following are the types of testing for diagnosing specific arthritis types or arthralgia.
- Rheumatoid factor tests
- Blood tests that are used to check the levels of C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation Anti cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody tests
- Biopsies of joint tissues that are affected
- Joint fluid removal for testing, crystal analysis, and bacterial culture
Complications
Arthritis can result in severe complications if you leave this condition untreated. The improper condition can also cause serious complications. Some of the complications are given below.
- Psoriasis, a condition of the skin that can be linked with diabetes, kidney disease, and high blood pressure
- Gout, arthritis type that can lead to nodules, recurring intense joint pain, kidney disease, and loss of joint movement
- Lupus, an autoimmune condition that leads to heart attack, painful breathing, and failure of kidney
