Vishnupriya
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Health-GettyImages-1832828891-96bc3a66f17e4f9998827597bee13878.jpg)
| Symptoms of Osteoarthritis | Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis | |
| Swelling | Mild to moderate swelling around joints | Noticeable swelling with warmth and redness |
| Worst Time for Joint Pain | Joint pain usually worsens with movement | Joint pain is often worse in the morning |
| Morning Stiffness | Morning stiffness lasts less than 30 minutes | Morning stiffness lasts 30 minutes or longer |
| Stiffness During the Day | Stiffness improves with movement | Stiffness may return when you are not moving |
| Affected Sides of the Body | Often affects single joints on one side | Usually affects the same joints on both sides of the body |
| Affected Joints | Usually affects the knees, hips, and back | Often starts in the wrists, fingers, and feet |
| Types of Symptoms | Symptoms generally only affect the joints | May have additional symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, unintentional weight loss |
| Symptom Development | Symptoms occur gradually over months or years | Symptoms can develop more quickly |
| Symptom Patterns | Symptoms typically worsen over time | Symptoms come and go (called flares) |
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis differ in more ways than the symptoms they cause. Here are the main differences between these two types of arthritis:
When They Develop
It is rare for OA to affect people younger than 40. OA typically develops in people older than 55 and becomes more likely as you age. The older you get, the more likely you are to develop OA. At least 80% of people older than 55 years have signs of OA show up on an X-ray.
RA symptoms tend to start a little younger. Many people first experience symptoms between the ages of 30-50. However, RA can begin at any age, and the risk increases as you get older.
Causes
OA develops due to risk factors—like age—in combination with stress put on joints or an abnormality in joint function, maybe due to an injury. OA is considered a degenerative joint disease because it causes joint tissue to break down over time.
RA is an autoimmune disease—not a degenerative joint disease. With an autoimmune disease, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joint tissue. This is due to genes and environmental factors like smoking.
Treatment Options
Treatment for osteoarthritis focuses on managing symptoms and slowing joint damage. This might include physical therapy, weight management, and pain relievers. Joint replacement surgery may be needed in some cases.
Rheumatoid arthritis treatment aims to control the autoimmune response and reduce inflammation. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologics, and corticosteroids are commonly used treatments. A healthcare provider may also recommend physical therapy, exercise, and other self-care strategies to help manage RA symptoms and maintain joint function.
Risk Factors
The primary risk factors for osteoarthritis are aging, joint overuse, obesity, and previous joint injuries. Genetics may also play a role, especially in cases of OA that affect the hand or knee.
Risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis include having a family history of the condition and being female. Certain environmental triggers, like smoking and exposure to pollutants, can also increase your risk of developing RA.
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are both forms of arthritis that damage joints. They have more specific things in common, too:
Affected Gender
Women are about three times more likely than men to develop RA. Researchers aren’t entirely sure why this happens, but they believe hormones may play a role.
Osteoarthritis also affects more women than men after age 55, though the difference isn’t as significant as it is with RA. Women may be more vulnerable to OA because of differences in their joint structure, hormonal changes after menopause, and differences in how weight is distributed around their joints.
Diagnostic Process
Healthcare providers usually begin by taking similar steps to diagnose both types of arthritis. These typically include a physical examination, medical and family history review, and imaging tests such as X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.
A healthcare provider may also perform blood tests to check for RA, looking for signs of inflammation and certain antibodies that can signal an autoimmune response.
Lifestyle Changes Help With Management
Whether you have OA or RA, certain lifestyle modifications can help protect your joints and make daily life more manageable.
Maintaining the weight you and your healthcare provider decided was optimal for you is important because extra pounds can put more stress on your joints, especially your knees and hips.
Using assistive devices, such as a cane when walking or jar openers in the kitchen, can help you stay independent.
Many people also find it helpful to adjust their home or workplace setup, such as raising a chair height or rearranging frequently used items to avoid reaching or bending too much.
It’s possible to have osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis at the same time. Research shows that people with RA have a higher chance of developing OA. This is because the inflammation from RA can damage joints over time, making you vulnerable to joint changes that can lead to OA.
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, working with your healthcare provider to control inflammation and manage risk factors may help reduce your chance of developing osteoarthritis.
You might develop both conditions in the same joint, or they may affect different joints in your body. For example, you could have RA in your hands but develop OA in your knees. Your provider can create a treatment plan that addresses both conditions, which might include different combinations of medications and therapies.
Contact your primary care provider if you experience joint symptoms that:
- Interfere with your daily activities
- Worsen over time
- Don’t improve with over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications
- Show up with other symptoms, such as unexplained fever, fatigue, or weight loss
Your primary care provider can order tests to determine whether your symptoms are being caused by OA, RA, or something else. In some cases, they might refer you to a rheumatologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating arthritis and other conditions that affect joints, muscles, and bones).
Your provider may recommend a specific rheumatologist. Online resources, such as the American College of Rheumatology’s Provider Directory, can also help you locate specialists in your area.
If you have insurance, check your health insurance provider’s directory for in-network providers. Depending on your health insurance plan, you may need a referral from your primary care provider before scheduling an appointment with a specialist.
Get emergency medical care if you develop sudden, severe joint pain, notice a joint that’s very hot to touch, can’t move a joint at all, or have joint pain with a high fever. These symptoms could indicate an infection in your joint that needs immediate treatment to prevent serious complications.
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are two common types of arthritis that affect the joints but develop differently. OA occurs when joint cartilage breaks down or changes in structure, typically among older adults. RA is an autoimmune disease that can start at any age.
The conditions require different treatment approaches. OA treatment focuses on managing pain and maintaining joint function. RA treatment targets inflammation and immune system activity.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have joint pain or stiffness that interferes with your daily activities or worsens over time. Early treatment can help manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.
