Generally, arthritis is used as an umbrella term to describe most joint inflammation. There are various types of arthritis however, such as osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although they are similar in the sense that they affect the joints, they are still vastly different types of arthritis.
OA is the degeneration of joints due to excessive wear and tear on the cartilage, while RA occurs as an autoimmune disorder, whereby the immune system targets the tissue that lines the joints. Here, we’ll explore and compare osteoarthritis vs rheumatoid arthritis.
Degenerative Disorder vs. Autoimmune Disorder
Primarily, OA is a joint degeneration disorder and is the most common type of arthritis faced. Sufferers of OA tend to experience the wear and tear of the cartilage that acts as a cushion for the joints. The breakdown of cartilage results in the bones rubbing against each other, exposing the nerves and causing discomfort.
RA, however, is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body the attack itself. In people with RA, the body will interpret the lining surrounding the joints as threats and attack them similarly like bacteria or viruses. The attack will cause an accumulation of fluid in the joints which is also caused by tissue inflammation. The fluid build-up can lead to several issues including decreased joint flexibility, joint inflammation, joint stiffness, and pain.
Characteristics of OA
Generally, the degenerative nature of OA is mainly limited to the joints. While it’s unlikely for those with OA to experience systemic symptoms, there could be some growth of lumps under the skin surrounding the affected joints. People may also develop excessive bone growth or bone spurs around the same joints.
Characteristics of RA
RA is a disease of systemic nature. This means that the whole body including the eyes, heart, and lungs can be affected and it’s not limited to the joints. The early tell-tale signs of RA usually include excessive fatigue, muscle aches, and a low-grade fever, which is more likely in children.
Advanced stages of RA may include noticeable hard lumps beneath the skin near affected joints. These lumps are known as rheumatoid nodules and can be extremely tender to touch.
Differences in Joints Affected
In RA, the pain usually starts in the smaller joints, with pain, swelling, and stiffness occurring in the finger joints. As the disease progresses, the symptoms will worsen and start appearing in the larger joints like the ankle, knees, and shoulders. The pain is also typically symmetrical, meaning that both sides of the body will experience the same pain.
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