Arthritis Articles

What is the difference? 

One of the main things to make sense of is where the two conditions come from. RA is an autoimmune condition, this means that the immune system attacks healthy joint tissue causing inflammation and nerve pain. Whereas, OA is a result of ‘wear and tear’ which leads to the breakdown of bone cartilage and more friction between bones and joints. 

This simple understanding of the two conditions also helps when you are trying to understand who they affect and when they are likely to strike. Osteoarthritis is more likely to happen as we age, but, it can also occur when a joint has been put under trauma or injury. 

In comparison, rheumatoid arthritis can happen at any age and, although the exact cause of the condition isn’t fully known, it is thought to be hereditary. RA is also more likely to cause symptoms that go beyond joint pain, like a fever and fatigue, because of the work that your antibodies are doing to protect your bones. 

What joints do the different conditions affect? 

Because of how RA attacks your immune system, people with the condition tend to have more widespread pain and stiffness. This is because it affects joints symmetrically, meaning similar areas on both sides of the body are painful when the condition flares up. On the other hand, OA affects individual joints and doesn’t go through periods of flare. OA is always there but stiffness can reduce if you stay mobile and take pain relief. 

Both conditions are characterised by pain and stiffness in the fingers and hands because of how many joints are there. However, OA is more likely to affect your spine and hips. People with RA are more likely to feel pain in their knees, shoulders and ankles. 

How are the conditions treated? 

Good question! And one that can prepare you for what a future with either of these conditions might look like. 

As with any condition that causes painful symptoms, pain relief is the first port of call for both of these conditions. So are anti-inflammatories, due to the characteristic swelling that comes with all forms of arthritis. 

Once the inflammation and pain are resolved, people with OA don’t tend to need treatment beyond their GP, who can keep an eye on any changes or development of the condition. Whereas people with RA are more likely to need a referral and extra treatments like disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs which soothe their overactive immune systems. 

If you want to learn more about the different types of arthritis, look up our webinar with Yatna Ladwa exploring the link between arthritis and feet.

Do you have more questions about arthritis? talkhealth is teamed up with The Institute of Osteopathy and Arthritis Action to offer an online expert clinic on arthritis. From dietary changes to building muscle strength, our panel of experts answered the questions that really help! FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE CLINIC!