What is the Difference Between Arthritis and Arthropathy?

Arthritis and arthropathy are related medical conditions affecting the joints, but they have distinct differences. Here is a comparison between the two:

Arthropathy:

Arthropathy is a joint disease, which can be associated with a hematologic (blood) disorder or an infection, such as Lyme disease.
Symptoms of arthropathy include joint swelling, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.
Diagnosis requires careful clinical evaluation to determine the cause of the symptoms.
Treatment involves medicines and physical therapy to help maintain motion and ease pain and swelling.

Arthritis:

Arthritis is an umbrella term that describes various kinds of conditions that inflame your joints.
Arthritis can also affect your skin, muscles, or organs in rare cases.
There are different types of arthritis, with arthrosis (osteoarthritis) being the most frequently diagnosed form.
Arthrosis occurs due to wear and tear of the cartilage at the joints, usually caused by aging or intense use of the joints during sports, exercise, or other activities.
Symptoms of arthrosis include bone-to-bone rubbing, swelling around the affected joint, and bone spurs.
Diagnosis can be made through blood tests, imaging tests like MRI scans and X-rays.
Treatment methods and therapies for arthritis types such as arthrosis include medication, physical therapy, occupational therapy, steroid injections, and surgery like joint replacement or alignment.

In summary, arthropathy is a joint disease that can be associated with a hematologic disorder or an infection, while arthritis is a joint disease that causes inflammation within a joint. Arthritis is a type of arthropathy, and the main difference between the two is the cause of the joint condition.