Rheumatoid arthritis vs. osteoarthritis, differences in symptoms, causes, and treatment

Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are just two of the many different types of arthritis. Although there are many commonalities between these conditions – joint pain being a large one – there are important differences between the two that can aid in determining a proper treatment.

Here are some key points you need to understand. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can affect the entire body, whereas osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that affects the cartilage between the joints. The goal of treatment for either one is to reduce swelling, pain, and stiffness, and to slow down the progression of joint damage.

Arthritis is a condition that refers to the inflammation affecting the joints, and there are numerous different types of arthritis. The main difference between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis is that one is an autoimmune disease and the other is a degenerative disease.

In an autoimmune disorder, the immune system acts wrongly and begins to attack itself – in the case of rheumatoid arthritis, it’s the joints that are under attack. The main characteristic of osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease, is the breakdown of cartilage, which is the cushion found between joints. When the cartilage breaks down, there is no longer any lubrication between bones, which start rubbing together as a result. Both types of arthritis lead to inflammation.

Difference between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis: Table

Here is a table outlining the main differences between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis for your reference.

Rheumatoid arthritis vs. osteoarthritis: U.S. prevalence

An estimated 1.3 million Americans live with rheumatoid arthritis, and women have higher rates of rheumatoid arthritis than men. Osteoarthritis prevalence in the U.S. amounts to an estimated 27 million people, with majority of patients experiencing osteoarthritis in their knees, followed by hips, then hands.

Comparison between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis: Incidence, mortality, and costs

Rheumatoid arthritis vs. osteoarthritis: Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are often worse in the morning lasting for around 30 minutes, whereas in osteoarthritis symptoms of stiffness worsen throughout the day. In rheumatoid arthritis, swelling occurs symmetrically (both hands, both ankles, etc.), but swelling is not symmetrical in osteoarthritis.

Common symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis include joint pain, swelling, stiffness, tenderness, prolonged morning stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Osteoarthritis symptoms include joint stiffness, pain, and enlarged joints. The symptoms are not symmetrical.

Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms often occur in smaller joints, such as the hands, whereas osteoarthritis symptoms occur in larger joints, like the hip.

In rheumatoid arthritis, symptoms can also occur in other parts of the body aside from the joints – like skin, eyes, lungs, heart, kidneys, salivary glands, nerve tissue, bone marrow, and blood vessels. In osteoarthritis, only the cartilage between the joints is affected.

As you can see, there are many similarities in signs and symptoms between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, but there are key differences that set the two apart.

Causes of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of an autoimmune disease, but it is still unclear as to why or how autoimmune diseases occur. What is known is that the immune system mistakes parts of the body for a virus and begins to attack it. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the synovium.

Osteoarthritis is a wear-and-tear degenerative disease that could be caused by overuse, injury, obesity, hereditary, or through aging. Over time, the cartilage between the joints wears thinner, causing the bones to rub together.

Comparing rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis: Risk factors and complications

Differences between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis: Diagnosis

Proper diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis involves a look at the patient’s medical history, their symptoms, a physical examination, blood tests to look for antibodies associated with rheumatoid arthritis, and imaging tests to determine any joint damage.

Diagnosis of osteoarthritis involves reviewing the patient’s symptoms and medical history, physical examination, examining fluid drawn from the joints, X-ray and MRI to look at the cartilage between the joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis vs. osteoarthritis: Treatment

Treatment for both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis should begin early in order to prevent future complications. The objectives of rheumatoid arthritis treatment include reducing inflammation, relieving symptoms, preventing joint and organ damage, improving physical function and well-being, and reducing long-term complications.

Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated with medications to ease symptoms like pain and stiffness. This may involve anti-inflammatory and pain medications. Other medications can be prescribed to slow down the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, including corticosteroids, biologics, and JAK inhibitors. Surgery may be required if damage is severe, and the joint must be replaced in order to improve function.

The objectives of osteoarthritis treatment include managing the symptoms, improving joint mobility and flexibility, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting adequate exercise. Physical activity has been shown to be quite beneficial to osteoarthritis patients, as it strengthens and builds muscles thus easing the burden on the joints. Weight management is also important because excess weight adds unnecessary stress to already painful joints.

Other treatment methods for osteoarthritis include physical and occupational therapy to help patients find less painful methods to complete regular tasks, medications like anti-inflammatories and corticosteroids, use of assistive devices like a cane, and surgery if the joint is severely damaged and needs to be replaced.

Your doctor will help you decide on what type of treatment will offer you the greatest success in living with either rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.