Arthritis vs Arthralgia - What is the Main Difference?

Arthralgia is a general term for any joint pain. The pain can be modest to severe in intensity and be described as sharp, dull, stabbing, searing, or throbbing. Arthralgia can happen in any joint, such as the wrists, knees, ankles, hips, spine, ankle, shoulders or elbows.

Arthralgia can happen due to different factors, such as injury or overuse, and usually goes away independently. It is also crucial to remember that arthralgia can indicate arthritis.

Arthralgia is a symptom itself, and it is manifested in a range of ways. It is a precursor to underlying joint issues, such as arthritis, tendon or ligament injuries, hepatitis, etc.

Key Facts about Arthralgia

Here are a few interesting facts about arthralgia:

1. Arthralgia refers to pain in the joints.
2. Arthralgia can affect any of the joints in the human body.
3. Pain associated with arthralgia can vary from mild to severe to extreme.
4. Arthralgia is considered to be a manifestation of an underlying medical condition like arthritis, cartilage loss, bursitis, etc.
5. Arthralgia can affect a person’s body irrespective of their age.

The main difference between arthritis and arthralgia is that arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation and pain in the joints. In contrast, arthralgia is aching or pain in the joints without inflammation which is not severe.

Arthritis can make it difficult to move the affected joints, whereas arthralgia does not interfere with joint movement. The following table provides the difference between arthritis and arthralgia on various parameters.

Parameters	Arthritis	Arthralgia
Causes	Joint injuries and damages Infection in the joints  Obesity and overweight  Autoimmune diseases Overexertion of a particular joint Smoking and lack of physical activity	Arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Infections in tendons in the joints or tendinitis Inflammations to bursae or bursitis Overuse of a particular joint Spraining the joint
Symptoms	Constant pain Stiffness Swelling Redness in joint	Pain and stiffness in the joint Swollen joints Difficulty in moving joints Reddish skin around the joint
Risk Factors	Obesity Infection Joint injury Smoking Age and gender Genetics	Repetitive physical exertion Obesity Bone cancer Bursitis Fibromyalgia
Preventive Measures	Maintain good BMI Exercise routines Eat healthy food Massage Quit smoking Pain Medications	Exercising and stretching Maintain a good diet Medications Manage body weight Rest Physical therapy Massaging joints
Diagnosis	Clinical assessment Rheumatoid factor tests Imaging techniques Laboratory tests	Blood tests Clinical assessments Biopsy A test Joint X-Ray
Treatments	Medications: NSAIDs, Steroids, Ointments, Pain relievers, etc. Physical therapy Hot and cold therapy Joint Repair Joint Replacement Joint Fusion	Rest Hot and cold compression Warm baths Limitation in physical activity Physiotherapy Medication: Painkillers, anti-inflammatory medicines Joint aspiration
Complications	Osteoporosis Infections Cardiac complications Lung diseases Lymphoma	Spread of infection Joint damage Deformity Disability Amputation

Consulting a doctor is important to address the concerns of arthritis and arthralgia. However, many do not know when to consult a doctor. Here are a few signs of when you must consult a doctor for arthritis vs. arthralgia:

When to see a doctor for arthritis?

1. Severe pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints that won’t go away after treatment at home.
2. Constant redness and tenderness around the joint affected by the pain.
3. When you observe any deformity or inability to use the affected joint.
4. When the pain does not go away even after taking rest for a week or two.
5. When you have arthritis with other medical conditions, such as heart issues, gastric issues, etc.

When to see a doctor for arthralgia?

1. When the pain is unbearable and won’t go away after taking rest.
2. When you cannot use the joint or apply pressure on it.
3. You observe swelling on the joint.
4. When you experience multiple episodes of joint pain in a month.
5. When you find your joints tender, stiff, and red without an injury.

When discussing arthritis vs arthralgia, many use the term interchangeably. However, one must understand the difference between the two. A thorough understanding of the meaning of arthritis and arthralgia can help people suffering from the same seek adept treatment. Whether you have arthralgia or arthritis, it is crucial to consult a doctor quickly to diagnose the same and undertake treatments. Early identification of diseases and treatments can prevent diseases from worsening or becoming dangerous.

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