rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

[wentwood]

Can someone please explain the main differences between the above?

[Dr Hungry]

Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear on the joints. Everyone will get some degree of it as they get older because their joints get more and more use. Since medicine is keeping us alive much longer, our joints are under more pressure for longer, so they naturally give out a little bit towards the end. OA can also be caused by trauma to a joint or an infection in the joint etc. This is secondary OA.

RA is a completely different kettle of fish. It is an inflammatory erosive process. No-one really knows what causes it, but the immune system begins to attack itself for some reason and this can lead to inflammation in the joints, which causes bone to be eroded away. It is much more common in women than men (4:1) so some people think that there is a hormonal link. There is also be a genetic link and it often runs in families, although this is by no means certain. Even if you look after your joints perfectly, you can still get RA if you are just one of those people that are predisposed to it.

In terms of symptoms, RA is inflammatory so causes stiffness, particuarly in the morning. It tends to affect the wrist, hands and feet more and can cause quite severe deformities, especially in the hands (characteristic 'ulna deviation' of the fingers).

OA tends to affect the larger joints more, like the hip and knee and causes instability rather than stiffness, although some stiffness may be present.

Both conditions can be very painful if untreated, but both are managable in this day and age.

[mandie73]

i have r/arthritis in my feet,kneck and eye!!!!!.got it when i was 26. my joints swell and are hot to the touch making u feel very unwell. its under control now but i still have flare ups.