Osteoarthritis Vs Rheumatoid Arthritis
There are different types of arthritis and people often confuse between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Though both types of arthritis cause joint pains and stiffness, they differ in terms of causes and treatment methods. It is important to distinguish between them to determine the proper treatment method.
Osteoarthritis Vs Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteoarthritis usually (OA) develops after several years, where the smooth surface of joint cartilage wears out. This causes joint bones to rub against each other. This can be caused by repetitive movements such as sports. In this case, people may notice mild joint stiffness in the morning. OA usually attacks the most used joints such as hands and spine or weight-bearing joints. The pain and stiffness improve when the joints are used and start moving more.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease and can occur at any age. It means the immune system malfunctions and it mistakenly attacks the healthy tissues in the joints. This type of arthritis mainly attacks the synovial membrane which is responsible for protecting the joints. It can attack several joints at a time and it mostly attacks small joints.
Osteoarthritis Vs Rheumatoid Symptoms
Both OA and RQ share similar symptoms namely:
- Joint stiffness and pain
- Swollen joints, which is high in RA
- Less mobility in the affected joints
In RA, the symptoms become worse quickly or within a few weeks. The RA symptoms vary in terms of severity and may come and go. In contrast, the symptoms in OA appear more slowly as the protective tissues in the joints break down gradually.
OA mainly affects knees, small fingers and thumb joints whereas RA affects elbows, knees, feet, hands, fingers and hips.
RA affects the joints on both sides of the body. OA is localised and attacks only joint on one side and its surrounding tissues.
RA also has symptoms that could affect the entire body such as:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Loss of hunger
- Sudden weight loss
- Rheumatoid nodules that grow under the skin
- Also affects eyes, lungs, heart, blood vessels, nerves, kidneys and skin
- OA does not affect the body, but can often cause small lumps around the affected joints.
Treatment Methods
Treatment for Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be reduced. The treatment options for OA vary from person to person based on the severity. The treatment options include:
- Few medications to relieve your pain and discomfort
- Heat and ice packs that can relieve pain, swelling and relax the muscles around affected joints
- Exercises to strengthen your muscles
If the above treatments do not reduce the pain, the doctor performs surgery to replace the affected joint.
Treatment for Rheumatoid
The early treatment for Rheumatoid arthritis can control the symptoms and also prevents from worsening. The treatment methods include medications, regular exercise and lifestyle changes. These treatment methods need to be continued throughout their lifetime. If the pain and joint dysfunction still exist after medication and lifestyle changes, the doctor would go with surgery such as complete hip or knee joint replacement.
Contact Dr. Madhu Thumu for Arthritis
Dr Madhu Thumu has years of experience in treating different types of arthritis including RA and OA. He examines you for joint tenderness, swelling and muscle weakness to determine whether it is OA or RA. If you suspect to have any symptoms of RA or OA, contact him immediately for effective treatment.
