Overview

Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are two types of arthritis that are very different. OA is the most common form of arthritis; RA affects about 1 percent of the population.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease characterized by progressive destruction of joint cartilage and underlying bone. It is sometimes called degenerative joint disease or “wear-and-tear” arthritis. The disease can affect any joint in the body, but most commonly affects the knees, hips and hands. OA occurs as a result of aging, injury or overuse.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

RA is an autoimmune disease that causes painful swelling, stiffness and loss of function in joints. RA can also affect other organs such as your skin, eyes, lungs and blood vessels. The symptoms vary from person to person and may come on suddenly or develop slowly over time. In some cases, RA can be mild enough to go undiagnosed for years or even decades.

Disease Onset

The onset of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is mostly different. Osteoarthritis usually occurs gradually in people over the age of 40 years and can be caused by repetitive movements or injury to the joint. In contrast, rheumatoid arthritis usually starts suddenly without any apparent cause. This disease affects not only joints but also other parts of the body such as skin, muscles, and blood vessels.

How Many Are Affected

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common forms of arthritis in adults. Osteoarthritis affects more than 27 million Americans, while rheumatoid arthritis affects more than 1 million people in the United States.

Osteoarthritis, more commonly known as osteoarthrosis, is a condition characterized by degradation of the joints. It is the most common form of arthritis, affecting approximately 25% of Americans over the age of 60. The disease occurs when cartilage is worn away from bone ends, causing bones to rub against each other. This friction leads to inflammation and pain in the joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), also known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, is an autoimmune disease that affects 1% of the population. RA affects multiple joints at once, causing inflammation and pain in those areas. Unlike osteoarthritis, RA does not cause joint breakdown or permanent joint damage.

Joint Stiffness

As we age, our joints naturally become more stiff and less flexible. This is due to the breakdown of cartilage within the joint, which acts as a cushion between bones and helps reduce friction as you move your joints. As the cartilage gradually wears down, it becomes thinner and less flexible, leading to pain, stiffness and loss of function.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis; it occurs when cartilage breaks down around a joint causing inflammation and damage to the bone beneath. OA usually affects weight-bearing joints such as hips and knees but can also affect hands, feet and spine.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is another type of chronic inflammatory condition that causes painful swelling in the joints. It is caused by an immune system response that attacks healthy tissue in addition to damaging joints. RA can lead to significant disability if left untreated or inadequately treated.

Symptoms

The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis tend to come on gradually over time, while those of osteoarthritis usually develop gradually as well but may come on suddenly following an injury or joint surgery. For example, someone with rheumatoid arthritis may experience joint pain for months before their first symptoms appear, while someone with osteoarthritis might have sudden pain after falling on the affected joint or getting injured at work or in sports activity.

Osteoarthritis symptoms include pain and stiffness in the joints, especially in the knees and hips. The pain can range from mild to severe and may be accompanied by tenderness to touch. Some people experience swelling of the joint, which can be a sign of excess fluid due to inflammation.

In addition to pain, people with osteoarthritis may notice that their joints feel stiff in the morning after they get up. Movement often makes the symptoms worse.

Diagnosis

Osteoarthritis is diagnosed based on the symptoms and a physical exam. The doctor will want to know about your medical history, including other joint problems you may have experienced in the past, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. A complete physical examination will be performed, including:

• A check of your range of motion in the joints affected by osteoarthritis
• A test of any joint tenderness when pressure is applied
• Testing your grip strength

There’s no specific test for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as such, but your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and examine your joints. They may also take blood tests to look for signs of inflammation in your body.

If they think you have RA they’ll refer you to a specialist rheumatologist who can confirm their diagnosis with more intensive tests. These include X-rays, which show how much damage has been done to your joints and how much joint deformity you have; an ultrasound scan; or an MRI scan which shows what’s happening inside your joints.

Treatment

There are several types of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, including medication, physiotherapy and surgery. The type of treatment you need depends on how severe your symptoms are and what other conditions you have.

There are several treatments available for osteoarthritis, including physical therapy and orthopaedic surgery. In addition to these traditional treatment options, there are many alternative therapies including acupuncture and herbal remedies that may help alleviate symptoms associated with osteoarthritis.

The treatment for osteoarthritis depends on several factors, including:

• The type of osteoarthritis you have
• Your age and overall health
• Your expectations for treatment outcome