What is the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?

Answer 1

Osteoarthritis is caused my mechanical means - prolonged, heavy use of joints and deterioration of the cartilage lining. Common in aging processes.

Rheumatoid arthritis is VERY different - it's an autoimmune condition and actually results in chronic inflammation of synovium (membranes that surround joints). Nobody really knows what causes it, but it appears to be an autoimmune disease where antibodies and immune response cells recognize and attack the lining of various joints, inducing massive inflammation and destriction of joints.

One of the best drugs used to treat it is an antibody that blocks TNF-alpha, a cytokine that is involved in inflammation. This is in contrast to osteoarthritis, which is treated with simple pain killers.

Answer 2

Rheumatoid Arthritis or RA is an autoimmune disorder and inflammatory condition.I have RA and I have to take an immune suppressant to stop my immune system from going haywire and attacking my joints as if they're a virus or disease. Osteoarthritis is degenerative, caused by wear and tear on your joints. It's often part of aging.

Answer 3

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not a condition of wear and tear. It is a disease in which your own immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, causing inflammation that damages your joints.

OA is not an autoimmune disease. It is a condition of wear and tear associated with aging or injury. Your immune system is not affected.

The above is copied from the website below. There was a lot more info then this.

Answer 4

Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto immune disorder where the body attacks itself. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease caused by a breakdown and loss of cartilage in the joint.

Answer 5

osteoarthritis is a wearing down of bone in the surfaces where they join, and usually found in the hips, knees, fingers, toes, and spine.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that disfigures and distorts joints, and may affect other organs, besides..

Answer 6

Imagine for a moment your arthritis completely vanishing right now.

If, in a moment, your pain and stiffness melted away. And your joints all of a sudden functioned like a well-oiled machine.

Like a magic wand was waived, you'd be able to jump up from your chair and run around the room like a kid.

And imagine that you'd never have to suffer as much as a pinch of arthritis stiffness or pain ever again.

I know this sounds impossible right now, but bear with me, because sometimes miracles happen.

It was a gift from a woman on the other side of the world. From the kindness of her heart, she took pity on my suffering and taught me how to completely reverse my arthritis.

Today, I want to do the same for you!

Answer 7

Osteoarthritis is refered to as "wear and tear" athritis. Actually most folks over 50, like me, suffer with it to some extent. Usually treated with over the counter anti-inflamatories. You can have it in one joint or many...but most commonly in the fingers, knees and hips. Rheumatoid arthritis is much more serious and dibilatating. It is systemic and effects your whole body and can result in very painful deformaties of the fingers, feet (extrematies) etc.

Answer 8

As said above Osteo is a breakdown of bones....

But RA is an actual auto-mmune disease! There is no cure.....and it affects internal organs as well (heart, kidneys, etc).

RA actually convinces your immune system that the joints are BAD and attacks them.

VERY dangerous disease. My mother already had 2 fake hips due to RA...

BTW - it is a disease which for some reason....tends to stay with females..very few males experience RA...

Answer 9

Erase Arthritis Heal Yourself Naturally - http://Arthritis.neatprim.com

Answer 10

RA is an autoimmune disease. OA is the breakdown of caritilidge b/w the joints, especially the knees. RA if left untreated can cripple you. OA usually leads to joint replacement.