Arthrosis is another term for osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis. Both OA and rheumatoid arthritis affect bones, ligaments, and joints, but the difference between the two is important.

Arthritis and arthrosis sound similar, and they both affect bones, ligaments, and joints. However, there are key differences that are quite important and distinguish them from each other.

Arthritis is an umbrella term. It’s used to describe several conditions that cause inflammation in your joints. In some cases, the inflammation can also affect your skin, muscles, and organs. Examples include osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and gout.

Arthrosis is another name for OA, one type of arthritis. It’s the most common type of arthritis, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. The causes of OA are not entirely known.

As OA progresses, it can damage every part of your joints and cartilage.

Cartilage is the slippery tissue that covers the ends of your bones and helps your joints move. Over time, your cartilage can deteriorate and may even disappear completely. This results in bone-to-bone contact in your joints, causing pain, stiffness, and sometimes swelling.

OA can affect any joint in your body. It’s most likely to affect the joints of your hands, neck, knees, and hips. Your risk of developing it increases with age.

The symptoms of arthritis vary from one type to another. Joint pain and stiffness are the two most common. Other common symptoms of arthritis include:

  • swelling in your joints
  • redness or discoloration of the skin around affected joints
  • reduced range of motion in affected joints

The most common symptoms of OA, in particular, include:

  • joint pain
  • joint stiffness
  • tenderness around affected joints
  • reduced flexibility in affected joints
  • bone-to-bone grating or rubbing
  • bone spurs, or small bits of extra bone growth that may develop around affected joints

Your risk of developing arthrosis or OA, as well as some other types of arthritis, can be affected by:

  • Age: OA and many other types of arthritis are more common in older people.
  • Gender: Women are more likely to develop OA, as well as RA. Men are more likely to develop gout.
  • Weight: Extra weight puts more pressure on your joints. This raises your risk of joint damage and OA. Being overweight also increases your risk of some other types of arthritis.
  • Injuries: Accidents and infections can damage your joints, raising your risk of OA. It can also increase your chances of developing some other types of arthritis.
  • Joint deformities: Malformed cartilage and uneven joints increase your risk of OA.
  • Occupation: Work that requires putting a lot of stress on joints can increase your risk of OA.
  • Genes: You’re more likely to develop OA if you have a family history of the condition. Your genes also affect your chances of developing other types of arthritis, like RA.

Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and family history. This will help them diagnose your type of arthritis. They will also conduct a physical exam. They may also conduct one or more tests, such as:

  • blood tests to check for markers of inflammation and infection
  • joint aspiration to collect and analyze a sample of fluid from an affected joint
  • arthroscopy or other imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRI scans, to visually examine your affected joints

Arthroscopy involves your doctor inserting a small camera near one or more of your affected joints. This will allow them to get a closer look.

Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan for OA or other types of arthritis. Treatments may include:

  • Medication: These include over-the-counter (OTC) acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
  • Physical therapy: A therapist will teach you to perform exercises to help you strengthen and stabilize your joints and regain or maintain your range of motion.
  • Occupational therapy: A therapist will help you develop strategies to adjust your work environment or habits to help manage your condition.
  • Orthotics: These include braces, splints, or shoe inserts that help relieve stress and pressure on damaged joints.
  • Joint surgery: A joint replacement or joint fusion will clean, replace, or fuse damaged joints.

In most cases, your doctor will encourage you to try less invasive treatments before they recommend surgery.

Work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan if you’re diagnosed with OA or arthritis. Learn more about the condition, how to treat it, and how to prevent it from worsening.

Talk with your doctor about your options for medications, physical therapy, and other treatments. Usually, you can lead a healthy life with arthritis, especially if you know how to manage it.