Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis Osteoarthritis vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis While both types of arthritis, there are notable differences By Carol Eustice twitter linkedin Carol Eustice is a writer who covers arthritis and chronic illness. She is the author of "The Everything Health Guide to Arthritis." Learn about our editorial process Carol Eustice Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Scott Zashin, MD on September 13, 2020 linkedin Scott J. Zashin, MD, specializes in the treatment of rheumatologic and musculoskeletal conditions using both traditional and alternative therapies. Learn about our Medical Review Board Scott Zashin, MD on September 13, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Key Comparisons Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatments Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is recognized as the most disabling type of arthritis. While they both fall under the "arthritis" umbrella and share certain similarities, these diseases have significant differences. Verywell / Alexandra Gordon OA and RA: Key Comparisons More than 30 million people in the United States are believed to have osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative joint disease. It's often called wear-and-tear arthritis and is caused by the breakdown of joint cartilage—cushioning that sits between the bones that form your joints. Cartilage loss can cause bones to rub together, which is extremely painful. Osteoarthritis typically begins in a single joint and is more common after age 65. Rheumatoid arthritis is much less common, with an estimated 1.5 people in the U.S. diagnosed with it. RA is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease that primarily targets the lining of the joint (synovium), but it can also affect the organs throughout your body. Multiple joints are usually involved, as well. RA disease onset is most common in people between 30 and 60. Women are two to three times more likely than men to have the disease, and men tend to get it later in life. OA vs. RA: At a Glance Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis Prevalence 30 million 1.5 million Classification Degenerative Autoimmune Effect Cartilage loss Joint lining damage Early Presentation Single joint Multiple joints Age of Onset Over 65 30-60 Gender Difference None More common in women Symptoms of OA and RA OA and RA have some symptoms in common, but each condition also has several symptoms that aren't unique. Common symptoms of osteoarthritis include: Pain in the affected joint after repetitive use or activityMorning stiffness that lasts a half hour or lessJoint pain that is often worse later in the daySwelling, warming, and stiffening of the affected joint after prolonged inactivityBone spurs, bony enlargements (Heberden's nodes and Bouchard's nodes in the hands), and limited range of motion Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms include: Joint painJoint swelling or effusionJoint stiffnessRedness and/or warmth near the jointRestricted range of motionMorning stiffness lasting more than an hourInvolvement of the small joints of the hands and feetExtreme fatigueRheumatoid nodulesSymmetrical joint involvement (e.g., both knees, not just one)Lung, kidney, or cardiac involvement How Rheumatoid Arthritis Affects Each Part of the Body Causes OA and RA have different causes, although the theories behind both are still under scientific investigation. OA was long thought to solely be caused by normal wear-and-tear or the effects of aging. However, experts now know that other factors can contribute to your risk of developing OA, including: Joint injuryRepetitive joint use or stressBeing overweightA family history of osteoarthritis In addition, it's been discovered that the water content of cartilage initially increases with osteoarthritis while protein composition of cartilage steadily degenerates. This is believed to be due to an imbalance in your body's ability to repair cartilage as it deteriorates. Thus far, the cause of this imbalance is unknown. The cause of RA is less understood. Researchers have worked for years to find the cause of the abnormal autoimmune response associated with the disease but have yet to find a single clear cause has been found. Common theories point to a genetic predisposition combined with other possible triggers, such as smoking or obesity. Diagnosis The diagnostic processes for OA and RA have a fair amount of overlap. Test results, a physical examination, and your medical history are all taken together to determine a diagnosis. X-rays of affected joints can show joint damage associated with both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.Arthrocentesis, which involves removal and analysis of joint fluid, can evaluate for either condition, with the results differentiating which type of arthritis you have.Blood tests cannot definitively diagnose osteoarthritis, but they may be used to rule out other conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. Laboratory tests that are commonly ordered to help diagnose (or rule out) rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, include: Rheumatoid factor (RF)Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or sed rate)C-reactive protein (CRP)Anti-CCP testAntinuclear antibody (ANA) A proper diagnosis is essential to finding the right treatments. How Is Osteoarthritis Diagnosed? Treatments OA and RA are treated very differently. Treatment options for osteoarthritis focus on pain relief and restoring function to the affected joint. Common medications for reducing pain and inflammation include: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)Analgesics (painkillers)Steroid injections Other treatment options are: Physical therapy to strengthen and stabilize the jointSupport/bracingHeatRestWeight reductionAlternative treatments such as massage therapy and acupuncture The primary treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is medication. Five categories of drugs commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis are: Biologics, such as Enbrel (etanercept), Remicade (infliximab), Humira (adalimumab), Rituxan (rituximab), and Orencia (abatacept)Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexateCorticosteroids, such as prednisone and hydrocortisoneNSAIDs, such as Celebrex (celecoxib) and naproxenAnalgesics (painkillers) Steroid injections and/or some alternative and complementary treatments may be used in addition to medication. For serious cases of either condition, the last-resort treatment option is surgery. This includes arthroscopy, arthrodesis (fusion), and arthroplasty (joint replacement). A Word From Verywell Whether you have osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, it's important to know that treatments have come a long way. It is also possible to have both OA and RA, which requires treating both at the same time. The first step on the road to feeling better is getting a proper diagnosis, so speak to your doctor if you have any symptoms. When You Have Both Osteo and Rheumatoid Arthritis Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with chronic inflammation? An anti-inflammatory diet can help. Our free recipe guide shows you the best foods to fight inflammation. Get yours today! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Arthritis-Related Statistics. Updated July 18, 2018. Horiuchi AC, Pereira LHC, Kahlow BS, Silva MB, Skare TL. Rheumatoid arthritis in elderly and young patients. Rev Bras Reumatol Engl Ed. 2017;57(5):491-494. doi:10.1016/j.rbre.2015.06.002 Sinusas, K. Osteoarthritis: diagnosis and treatment. Fam physician. 2012 Jan 1;85(1):49-56. Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Network. RA Symptoms: How Do You Diagnose Rheumatoid Arthritis? Updated October 27, 2018 Vina ER, Kwoh CK. Epidemiology of osteoarthritis: literature update. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2018;30(2):160-167. doi:10.1097/BOR.0000000000000479 Man GS, Mologhianu G. Osteoarthritis pathogenesis - a complex process that involves the entire joint. J Med Life. 2014;7(1):37-41. Centers for Disease Control. Rheumatoid arthritis. Updated January 6, 2020. Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Network. RA blood tests: what lab tests show rheumatoid arthritis? Updated October 27, 2018. Perlman A, Fogerite SG, Glass O, et al. Efficacy and safety of massage for osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized clinical trial. J Gen Intern Med. 2019;34(3):379-386. doi:10.1007/s11606-018-4763-5 Joplin S, Van der zwan R, Joshua F, Wong PK. Medication adherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: the effect of patient education, health literacy, and musculoskeletal ultrasound. Biomed Res Int. 2015. doi:10.1155/2015/150658 Additional Reading Arthritis Foundation. Osteoarthritis. Arthritis Foundation. Rheumatoid Arthritis.