The key differences between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are both common types of arthritis but differ significantly in their causes, symptoms, progression, and treatment approaches.

Key Differences

Feature	Osteoarthritis (OA)	Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Cause	Mechanical wear and tear on joints	Autoimmune disorder: immune system attacks joints
Onset	Develops slowly over years, usually later in life	Can begin at any age, often rapid onset over weeks to months
Joints Affected	Typically affects one or a few large, weight-bearing joints (knees, hips, spine, thumbs)	Often affects small and large joints symmetrically (both hands, wrists, feet)
Symptoms	Joint pain, stiffness (brief in morning), decreased range of motion, minor swelling, bony bumps, crepitus (joint noises)	Painful, swollen, stiff joints (morning stiffness >1 hour), fatigue, low-grade fever, weight loss, systemic symptoms possible
Pattern	Usually starts on one side, may spread; localised	Symmetrical (both sides of body), multiple joints
Systemic Effects	Rare	Common: can affect heart, lungs, eyes, skin
Progression	Slow	Often faster, with flare-ups and remissions
Treatment Focus	Pain management, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, joint replacement if severe	Immune suppression (DMARDs, biologics), corticosteroids, NSAIDs to control inflammation and prevent joint damage

Additional Details

• OA is the most common form of arthritis and is mainly due to cartilage breakdown from aging, overuse, or injury. It rarely causes significant swelling and typically does not affect organs outside the joints.

• RA is less common, but more aggressive, and may cause permanent joint deformity if untreated. It can also lead to complications like osteoporosis, rheumatoid nodules, and involvement of other organs.

• Morning stiffness in OA is usually brief (minutes), while in RA it often lasts an hour or more.

• RA requires early diagnosis and treatment to prevent irreversible damage, while OA management focuses on symptom relief and maintaining joint function.

In summary:

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease caused by wear and tear, typically affecting older adults and localised joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can affect people of any age, often involves multiple joints symmetrically, and can cause systemic illness. The distinction is crucial for proper management and treatment