What is the difference between osteo arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?

Question

Would either of those cause me pain in my shoulders and elbows when I was sitting still doing absolutely nothing?

Answer 1

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Both rhematoid and osteoarthritis gradually lead to a degerneration of the articular cartilage of the joint, but the mechanism of how it occurs, its progression, and their clinical presentations differ.

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is thought to be an auto-immune response. Something triggers the body to "attack" itself. It causes inflammation and starts to degenerate soft tissues that support the joint, including the synovial lining of the joint capsule and the sheathes that protect tendons. Eventually, it leads to joint degeneration. RA typically goes through periods of exaccerbation and remission with the joints becoming swollen and painful during exaccerbations. Many people who have RA test positive for a rhematoid factor in the blood.

The pattern of progression is usually bilateral...or occuring in both extremeties. It can affect large joints such as knees and hips, but also smaller joints such as the wrists. It often leads to significant deformity...especially of the hands...the ulnar drift is a classic presentation (the fingers all drift toward the pinky side). Triggers for the auto-immune response has not been specifically identified, but may possibly include viral or dietary triggers.

Osteoarthritis (OA), on the other hand, does not necessarily exaccerbate and remit...except maybe with the weather or increase in activity. It most restricts its damage to the joint surfaces themselves. Also, OA is more likely than RA to affect just one side of the body, although it can affect both. It usually affects the larger weight bearing bones such as hips, knees and spine, but can affect joints that are over used such as fingers. The causes of OA are not readily known, but genetics is thought to play an important role. There is no blood test for OA...diagnosis is usually made by clinical presentation and standard x-rays.

There are other types of arthritis such as Juvinile Rheumatoid arthritis, and many conditions that have arthrtic symptoms such as avascular necrosis.

Source(s):
I am a PT.

Answer 2

Osteoarthritis is inflammation and destruction of joints due to "wear and tear". Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder where a person's immune system attacks their joints.

Your shoulder and elbow pain could be from a variety of problems: a pinched nerve, a ruptured disc in your cervical spine that is intruding on the root nerve for that arm, fibromyalgia, arthritis, etc. You should see a physician. Take a NSAID (like Advil) and use a heating pad to help with the pain until you can get to see the doc.

Feel better.

Answer 3

Osteo arthritis effects individual joints in your body, usually due to wear and tear or injuries. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease of the autoimmune system and effects all the joints of the body.

Answer 4

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 5

Hello, though not a medical doctor, it sounds like it may be rhematoid arthritis. Both conditions listed attack the joints but specifically the shoulders and elbows are not mentioned as joints that signify osteo arthritis. You should visit a Medical Doctor to determine exactly what it is.

Osteoarthritis (pronounced ah-stee-oh-arth-rite-iss) is the most common form of arthritis. It is caused by the breakdown of cartilage. Cartilage is the tough elastic material that covers and protects the ends of bones. Bits of cartilage may break off and cause pain and swelling in the joint between bones. This pain and swelling is called inflammation.

Over time the cartilage may wear away entirely, and the bones will rub together. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint but usually affects hips, knees, hands and spine.
Osteoarthritis is a disease that affects joints in the body. It can involve any joint, but usually concerns hands and weight-bearing joints such as hips, knees, feet and spine.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition that primarily involves the synovial membranes of joints. This disease progresses over time, and eventually other organs are affected as well. Rheumatoid arthritis is three times more common in females versus males and is prevalent in approximately 1% of the US population. The age of onset of rheumatoid arthritis is generally 25-50 years of age, but generally peaks in the fourth to fifth decade of life.

Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include the following:
Joint swelling and pain
Joint stiffness after periods of rest
Decreased range of motion in affected joints
Fatigue
Low grade fevers
Joint deformity

Hope this helps
Hope the aches and pains in your joints go away soon.
I Work in a hospital, and worked briefly in the orthopaedic department.

Answer 6

Osto is the deterioration of cartilage and overgrowth of bone due to wear and tear.

Rheumatoid is the inflammation of a joints connective tissue which leads to the destruction of the articular cartilage.

Answer 7

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease.

Answer 8

http://www.arthritis.org/


There is a different, and yes either could cause discomfort. The Arthritis Foundation site would give you any all answers you need.

Answer 9

Can't help you with the definitions; a dozen others have done that anyway, I CAN however, suggest you get your carpal tunnel checked. I have it, and sometimes it feels like my arm is coming OFF. While I'm doing nothing.