Is there a difference in rheumatism and arthritis or is the same?

Question

If there is a difference could you explain what it is?

Answer 1

There are many different types of arthritis, but for the purposes of this discusion lets keep it as simple as possible.

A common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis or DJD "degenerative joint disease" Its not really a disease but an expected part of aging and usually starts at about 32 years of age. It will develop slowly and usually not equally on both sides of the joint. An example is the inside of your knee getting DJD first and then eventually forming through the entire knee over time. Essentially it is a build up of bone.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis. There is a "pannus" formation which is like a blanket that gets into the joint space and actually cuts off a nutrient supply to the joint ending in actual eating away of the joint. It is usually present on both sides of the joint equally. Meaning in that same knee we talked about before both the inside and outside of the knee will be affected somewhat immediately.

Rhematoid is certainly the more severe of the 2 and the DJD is just a normal part of the aging process. The better shape we are in and the better we take care of ourselves the longer we can keep the DJD at bay and the slower it develops.

Answer 2

NO they are not the same. Rheumatism is your immune system attacking the cartilage and / or ligaments/ supporting structures of joints. It is mostly hereditary, but arthritis is the inflammation of joint cartilage caused by age, injury or abuse. Both can be treated but in different ways.

Answer 3

uh.. i heard of a rheumatoid arthritus, which is worse than osteoarthritus (most common form of arthritus). osteoarthritus is pain and stiffness in a particular joint, while i heard rheumatoid arthritus is some type of arthritus that can get increasingly worse and cause permanent joint damage sometimes if not treated well.