Differences between Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
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Loading ...Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) are two main types of arthritis. Although both cause severe pain in joints, the root cause of pain is different. The first one has mechanical cause, whereas the second one has a chemical cause. Let us discuss the differences in detail.
Osteoarthritis (OA) Disease:
This type of arthritis arises from “ware and tear” of bone joints caused by overuse, previous injuries, overweight, heredity. The pain is more mechanical than inflammatory. OA usually occurs as individuals grew old and in those whose joints have become worn down by excessive use.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Disease:
This arthritis is the most common type of inflammatory arthritis, which usually results from an auto-immune condition. In this type of arthritis the body’s own immune system attacks the joints and other parts of the body.
Osteoarthritis (OA) Symptoms:
Generally the pain occurs after a lot of walking and climbing stairs etc. OA is found mostly in old people. OA stiffness tends to get worse with use throughout the day. A crackling noise called “crepitus” is caused by OA when the affected joint is moved or touched, and patients may experience muscle spasm and contractions in the tendons. The joints may also be filled with fluid. OA commonly affects the large weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees, although in theory, any joint in the body can be affected. As OA progresses, the affected joints appear larger, are stiff and painful, and usually feel worse, the more they are used throughout the day, thus distinguishing it from rheumatoid arthritis. OA is associated with asymmetrical swelling in individual joints that are not part of a pair for example one knee and an elbow, instead of both knees. With OA, inflammation generally occurs at the joint closest to your fingernail.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Symptoms:
The patient of rheumatoid arthritis suffers from stiffness or pain lasting for more than 30 minutes in the morning or after long rest and lack of activity and pain which gets better in the afternoon. Pain is worse when it’s cold, but lessens when it is warmer. It is less when there is sufficient movement of joints. RA can occur at any age and is usually hereditary.
RA is associated with symmetrical swelling (e.g., both hands, both elbows, etc.)Most typically, RA symptoms include joint pain, swelling, tenderness, and redness of the joints; some people also experience fever, weight loss, fatigue, and/or anemia.
Osteoarthritis (OA) Treatment
As OA is mainly a mechanical problem, reducing body weight, reducing all kinds of weight-bearing activities such as walking, jumping, running, carrying heavy objects might help in reducing severity and occurrence of pain. Surgery will be required for serious cases. Treatment with painkillers is only a temporary solution to OA, long-term lifestyle changes are more important.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Treatment:
Painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs like steroids have more importance in cure of rheumatoid arthritis. RA can be well controlled and the patient can lead an active life, with the help of several drugs available today.
It is very important to differentiate between Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) because, if you have RA, you cannot afford to waste time. RA can worsen very quickly in its early stages and can cause serious damage to your joints in just the first 24 months. In a study, 70% of patients with recent RA onset showed evidence of radiographic changes after 3 years.
Hope this article helps to catch up with the primary differences between OA and RA.
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