What is the Difference Between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatiod Arthritis?

The main difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis lies in their causes and symptoms. Here are the key differences between the two:

Osteoarthritis:

Caused by mechanical wear and tear on joints.
Most common form of arthritis.
usually begins later in life.
Symptoms include joints that ache and may be tender but have little or no swelling.
Affects joints in the hands, neck, knees, and hips.

Rheumatoid Arthritis:

An autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks the joints.
Affects about one-tenth as many people as osteoarthritis.
May begin any time in life.
Symptoms include joints that are painful, swollen, and stiff.
Affects the joints in the hands, elbows, knees, ankles, wrists, and feet.
Considered a systemic disease, meaning it has an effect on the body as a whole.

It is essential to differentiate between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in order to determine the proper treatment for each condition.

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What is the Difference Between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatiod Arthritis?

Comparative Table: Osteoarthritis vs Rheumatiod Arthritis

Here is a table comparing the differences between osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA):

Characteristic	Rheumatoid Arthritis	Osteoarthritis
Age at which the condition starts	May begin any time in life, usually between 40 and 60 years of age	Usually begins later in life
Speed of onset	Relatively rapid, over weeks to months	Slow, over years
Joint symptoms	Joints are painful, swollen, and stiff	Joints ache and may be tender but have little or no swelling
Pattern of joints affected	Affects multiple joints, often symmetrically	Affects an isolated joint, typically the small joints of the hand
Cause	Autoimmune disease, where the immune system attacks the joints	Mechanical wear and tear on joints
Inflammation	Much more inflammation, leading to swelling and pain	Little or no inflammation

While both OA and RA share some similarities, such as joint pain and stiffness, they have distinct differences in their causes, symptoms, and treatments. An accurate diagnosis is essential for determining the proper treatment plan for each condition.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.