Comparing Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis
Comparing Rheumatoid Arthritis and OsteoarthritisSkip to the navigationTopic OverviewRheumatoid arthritis and
osteoarthritis are different types of arthritis.
They share some similar characteristics, but each has different symptoms
and requires different treatment. So an accurate diagnosis is
important. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects about one-tenth as many people as osteoarthritis.
The main difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is the
cause behind the
joint symptoms. Osteoarthritis is caused by mechanical
wear and tear on joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an
autoimmune disease in which the body's own
immune system attacks the body's
joints. Characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis| Characteristic | Rheumatoid arthritis | Osteoarthritis |
|---|
| Age at which the condition starts | It may begin any time in
life. | It usually begins later in
life. | | Speed of onset | Relatively rapid, over weeks
to months | Slow, over years | | Joint symptoms | Joints are painful, swollen,
and stiff. | Joints ache and may be tender
but have little or no swelling. | | Pattern of joints that are affected | It often affects small and
large joints on both sides of the body (symmetrical), such as both hands, both
wrists or elbows, or the balls of both feet. | Symptoms often begin on one
side of the body and may spread to the other side. Symptoms begin gradually and
are often limited to one set of joints, usually the finger joints closest to
the fingernails or the thumbs, large weight-bearing joints (hips, knees), or
the spine. | | Duration of morning stiffness | Morning stiffness usually lasts longer
than 1 hour. | Morning stiffness usually lasts less
than 1 hour. Stiffness returns at the end of the day or after periods of activity. | | Presence of symptoms
affecting the whole body (systemic) | Frequent fatigue and a general
feeling of being ill are present. | Whole-body symptoms are not
present. | For more information, see the topics
Rheumatoid Arthritis and
Osteoarthritis. CreditsByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerAnne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerNancy Ann Shadick, MD, MPH - Internal Medicine, Rheumatology Current as ofOctober 31, 2016 Current as of:
October 31, 2016 Last modified on: 8 September 2017
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