What Is Difference Between RA & Osteo Arthritis?

Osteoarthritis mainly affects knees, hips, and fingers. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) usually affects small joints in the hands and feet. Although the two conditions have similarities, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of joints as opposed to cartilage affected by osteoarthritis.

Similar Symptoms

• Symptoms of both types of arthritis include joint pain, swelling, and stiffness in the morning.

Different Symptoms

• Osteoarthritis symptoms may include muscle weakness, joint creaking, and joint deformity, while sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis may experience fatigue, fever, weight loss, tender joints, and red, puffy hands.

Causes

• Osteoarthritis is caused by excess wear on joints due to obesity, trauma, injury, or bad posture. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease, caused by your immune system attacking the membranes surrounding your joints.

Diagnosis

• Both types of arthritis are diagnosed with blood tests and x-rays. Osteoarthritis may also be diagnosed by examining a sample of fluid from joints.

Osteoarthritis Treatment

• Osteoarthritis treatment includes oral and injected pain medicines, such as corticosteroids, surgery to repair or replace joints, heat and ice for joints, and light exercise for strength and flexibility.

Rheumatoid Treatment

• Rheumatoid arthritis treatment includes medicines to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and slow damage caused by the disease. Other treatment includes occupational and physical therapy as well as surgery to repair or replace joints.