Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are both types of arthritis, but they have different causes and characteristics.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the synovial membrane that lines the joints, leading to inflammation, pain, and damage to the joint. It can affect multiple joints in the body and tends to be symmetrical, meaning that if one joint is affected, the same joint on the other side of the body is likely to be affected as well. RA can also cause systemic symptoms such as fatigue, fever, and weight loss.
Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is a degenerative joint disease that occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in a joint wears down over time. As a result, the bones rub against each other, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. OA typically affects weight-bearing joints, such as the hips, knees, and spine, and tends to be more common in older adults.
While both types of arthritis can cause joint pain and stiffness, the underlying causes, symptoms, and treatments differ. RA is typically treated with medications that suppress the immune system, while OA is managed with pain-relieving medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes such as weight loss and exercise.
