Difference Between Osteoarthritis And Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Both illnesses altough similar, are not the same

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are both types of arthritis. Most people confuse the condition to be the same thing. However, there are differences between the two types. It is essential to know the difference between the two to aid accurate diagnosis. This is because they have different symptoms and require different treatment.

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a joint problem caused by mechanical wear and tear in the joints. It is the most common type of arthritis. This joint disorder usually happens at the late stage of life. One of its symptoms is morning stiffness which is also common to rheumatoid arthritis. However, the morning stiffness in osteoarthritis usually lasts less than one hour.

Osteoarthritis happens gradually, and the symptoms spread slowly. In most cases, it affects only one joint, and not all of them at the same time. It occurs in places such as finger joints, knees, hips, and the spine.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This type of arthritis is not as common as osteoarthritis. However, this disease is more delicate than osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a result of an autoimmune dysfunction. This occurs when the body immune system works against the body's joints instead of protecting them. Unlike osteoarthritis that usually happens at old age, rheumatoid arthritis can happen at any age of life.

Rheumatoid arthritis features symptoms that are rapid and painful. It causes pain, stiffness, and swollen body joints. One of its symptoms is morning stiffness that lasts more than one hour. Likewise, it affects both joints systems symmetrically.

	Osteoarthritis	Rheumatoid Arthritis
Causes	This is caused by mechanical wear and tears in the body joints.	This is caused by an autoimmune dysfunction.
Symptoms	Usually, it affects a set of joints instead of all joints. Morning stiffness that lasts less than one hour. Symptoms are not present in the whole body.	Affect all joint systems symmetrically. Morning stiffness lasts more than one hour. Symptoms are fatigue and general illness of the body.

Venn Diagram: Osteoarthritis vs Rheumatoid arthritis