Whats the difference between rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis

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The word arthritis simply means ‘inflammation of the joint’. The reasons for that inflammation, however, varies. In the case of osteoarthritis, the cause is ‘wear and tear’. RA is an auto-immune condition, meaning that the immune system, normally there to protect us, is attacking healthy the joints.

Table of Contents Show

Possible complications and related conditions
It's easy to get the care you need.
Disease Onset
How Many Are Affected
Joint Stiffness
It's easy to get the care you need.
Is rheumatoid arthritis actually arthritis?
What are the 3 types of arthritis?

“Until I was diagnosed, I thought that ‘arthritis’ was just something that old people get.”

Until you or someone close to you is diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), unfortunately, this is most people’s perception of the disease. This is, at least in part, because many people, including some healthcare professionals, still refer to ‘osteoarthritis’ as ‘arthritis’. So what’s the difference?

Osteoarthritis is by far the most common type of arthritis. There are over 200 forms of arthritis, and the word arthritis simply means ‘inflammation of the joint’. The reasons for that inflammation, however, varies between the different forms. In the case of osteoarthritis, the cause is ‘wear and tear’ of the joints, making the condition more common among the older population, though it is possible to get it earlier in life, especially in a previously damaged joint. RA is an auto-immune condition, meaning that the immune system, normally there to protect us, is attacking healthy tissue, in this case, the lining of the joints. It can occur at any age, though the typical age of onset is around 40-60, and the exact causes of this immune response are unknown, though we do know that genetics and environmental factors play a part.

One third of people over the age of 45 in the UK have sought treatment for osteoarthritis, whereas RA affects a much smaller number, at around 1% of the UK population.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a ‘systemic’ condition, meaning that it has an effect on the body as a whole, whereas osteoarthritis tends only to affect individual joints. Both can cause symptoms such as pain and stiffness in the joints, but rheumatoid arthritis can also cause systemic symptoms, such as flu-like symptoms and fatigue. The stiffness that occurs in the joints also differs between conditions. In osteoarthritis, this symptom often occurs towards the end of the day, after using the affected joint, whereas in RA the stiffness is worse after periods of inactivity, especially in the morning, when it can be severe and last for more than thirty minutes.

There are also differences between the joints affected by these two conditions. Rheumatoid arthritis tends to affect joints symmetrically, most commonly the small joints of the hands and feet. Multiple joints may be affected, sometimes simultaneously, whereas OA will be isolated to individual joints. Osteoarthritis can affect the lower parts of the spine, and the finger joints closest to the nailbeds, both of which are areas of the body rarely affected in RA. RA can affect different joints at different times, whereas osteoarthritis doesn’t come and go, although pain and stiffness can come and go.

With all these differences in cause, progression, symptoms and location in the body, it is understandable that these conditions are also treated very differently. RA tends to be treated in secondary care, whereas osteoarthritis is normally managed by the GP. While both conditions can benefit from symptom relief, using painkillers and anti-inflammatories and non-medicinal relief, such as hot or cold packs applied to painful joints. Drugs known as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are used to try to stop RA worsening, by dampening down the over-active immune system.

Let’s face it. There is no ‘good’ form of arthritis to get, but it can be frustrating telling people about your diagnosis and having it so commonly mistaken for a more common and often less severe condition, but knowing some of the basic differences yourself can help you to explain RA to friends, family and colleagues.

Possible complications and related conditions
There are two main ways in which other health conditions can be related to rheumatoid arthritis. The first is conditions that have symptoms in common with RA. These conditions may be suspected or may need to be ruled out when someone is in the process of getting a diagnosis of RA. The second is conditions that people with RA are more susceptible to; a complication of RA.

Arthritis/Osteoarthritis
Bone and Joint Health
Health Topics
Osteoarthritis

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Both cause stiff, painful joints. Both are types of arthritis. Other than that, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis share little in common.

Their differences begin with what causes them. Osteoarthritis is more commonly occurs later in life, after years of mechanical wear and tear on the cartilage which lines and cushions your joints. Rheumatoid arthritis, which can occur at most any age, is an autoimmune disease. That is, your body's immune system attacks your joints.

Dr. Michael Raab explains the differences of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Click play to watch the video or read video transcript.

Here are other important things to know about the key differences between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Disease Onset

Osteoarthritis tends to develop gradually over several years, as the joint cartilage wears away. Eventually the bones of your joints rub against each other.

In contrast, the pain and stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis can develop and worsen over several weeks or a few months. In some cases, joint pain isn't the first sign of rheumatoid arthritis. It may also begin with "flu-like" symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, weakness, and minor joint aches.

How Many Are Affected

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It affects 27 million Americans. Rheumatoid arthritis (or RA) affects about one-tenth as many people.

In women, RA often begins between ages 30 and 60. With men, it often occurs later.

Joint Stiffness

With osteoarthritis, mild joint stiffness is common in the morning and after an hour or more of inactivity during the day. As the joints start to be used and move more, even after just a few minutes, the stiffness and pain improves.

In contrast, it can take an hour or longer for the morning stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis to subside. In some cases, prolonged morning joint stiffness is the first symptom of rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms

Osteoarthritis symptoms include:

Joint pain. This ranges from aching to burning sensations to sharp pain. Osteoarthritis primarily affects the knees, hips, spine, hands, and feet, but can arise in other joints, too.
Stiffness in the morning. This goes away with movement.
Muscle weakness around the affected joint. This is common for the knee joint.
Deformed joints. Especially as arthritis worsens
Reduced range of motion and loss of joint use. Occurs as arthritis severity progresses
Cracking and creaking. Medically called “crepitus”

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include:

Pain, stiffness, and swelling. Most commonly in the joints of the hands, feet, wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles
Inflammation. If not managed, inflammation can lead to permanent, irreversible joint damage.
Bumps or nodules. In some cases, these form over the elbows and knuckles.

Considered a systemic disease, rheumatoid arthritis affects the entire body and can affect both sides of the body at the same time. For example, while osteoarthritis may impact only the right or left knee, rheumatoid arthritis could simultaneously strike both knees.

In severe cases, rheumatoid arthritis may also affect the eyes, lungs, heart, nerves, or blood vessels. RA can raise your risk of heart disease 50 percent.

Diagnosis

Osteoarthritis diagnosis

While examining you to rule out other conditions, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms:

How do you describe your pain? Burning, aching, or sharp?
Do you have morning joint stiffness? If so, how long does the stiffness last?
Do your joints swell?

Your doctor will examine you for joint tenderness and swelling, as well as muscle weakness, to help determine whether you have arthritis. Your doctor may also order X-rays to check for joint damage or blood tests to see if other conditions may be causing your pain.

Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosis

Timely diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is important. Permanent joint damage can start within a year of having the disease.

Your doctor will conduct a physical exam to check your joints for signs of swelling or tenderness and will also ask about your symptoms and health history.

Your doctor may order blood tests, X-rays, and other tests.

Treatment

Osteoarthritis treatment

Treatment varies from one person to the next. Osteoarthritis is not reversible, but the symptoms can be managed. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best treatment for you:

Pain medicine. Mild pain may be treated with over-the-counter pain medicines such as acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). If these don’t relieve your pain, your doctor may prescribe stronger medicine. Shots of medicine in the joint help some people.
Heat or ice. Heat may help relax the muscles around the affected joint. Ice can relieve pain and swelling after activity or exercise. Your doctor may give you a gel or cream to help your joint pain.
Weight loss, if you're overweight. Weight loss helps reduce stress on your joints. Every pound of body weight lost takes 3-5 pounds of pressure off the lower extremity joints.
Exercise. Strengthening your muscles can reduce joint stress by offloading the joint itself. Movement is the best medicine for osteoarthritis. Talk with your doctor about the type of activity that’s best for you.
Surgery. If other treatment methods do not lessen the pain in a joint, such as your hip or knee, your doctor may recommend having surgery to replace the joint.

Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment

Treatment includes medicine, exercise, and lifestyle changes, which must continue throughout life. Seeking treatment early can control the condition and prevent it from worsening.

Many RA medicines have side effects, so regular doctor checkups are important.

If your pain and joint function worsen after trying medicine, exercise, and lifestyle changes, your doctor may recommend surgery, such as total joint replacement of the hip or knee.

To improve your life with rheumatoid arthritis:

Rest when tired.
Use splints, canes, walkers, and devices. For instance, special kitchen gadgets or doorknobs to protect your joints.
Eat a balanced diet.
Exercise regularly.
Maintain a healthy weight.

It's easy to get the care you need.

See a Premier Physician Network provider near you.

Source:

Michael Raab, MD
Premier Orthopedics

Is rheumatoid arthritis actually arthritis?

This inflammatory form of arthritis causes joint pain, swelling and damage. Learn more about RA and how to treat it. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes joint inflammation and pain. It happens when the immune system doesn't work properly and attacks the lining of the joints, called the synovium.