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Arthritis is a general term used to describe inflammation of the joints.  

Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) are two disease types which are known to affect musculoskeletal system in several ways. Their prevalence in the modern society is quite high, but with timely interventions, the negative impact on the quality of life can be eliminated.  

Since both these conditions own numerous similar signs and symptoms, they are often used interchangeably by people. So, from this article we are going to discuss what osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis mean, their features, diagnosis and treatment, so that next time when a person you know is diagnosed with either of these diseases you will understand what it is exactly.  
What is Osteoarthritis?

Also known as Arthrosis, osteoarthritis is a degenerative type of disorder which is known to be the commonest form of arthritis seen in the community.   

It occurs as a result of wearing off of the protective cartilage at the end of joints over a period of time. This cartilage acts as a friction absorbing cushion and the absence of it can lead to a continuous friction generated on rubbing the bones with one another, ultimately ending up with a worn out joint.  
Even though this condition can damage any joint in the body, the most commonly affected joints include hands, knees, hips and spine.  

Advanced age, obesity, trauma to the joints, genetics, bone deformities (malformed/defective cartilage), long-term weight bearing and heavy weight lifters are more likely to get affected by osteoarthritis where females are at a higher risk than males in developing this condition. More often this affects people over 40 years of age, but it can also be seen in youngsters following accidents and trauma.

  
Patients with osteoarthritis usually present with Pain around the affected joints, difficulty in moving them due to stiffness and pain and stiffness which is aggravated more towards the morning just after waking up. This condition usually lasts for more than 30 minutes. In addition these people will also complain of loss of flexibility, limited range of movements, loss of muscle bulk, a grating sensation on moving joints and spurs which present as hard bony like structures over the skin around the affected joints.  

Complications-Osteoarthritis should be diagnosed as early as possible failing which it can lead to a lifelong debilitating condition where the patients will no longer be able to work.   

Your physician will ask for a complete history and do a thorough physical examination, looking for signs of inflammation such as pain, tenderness, swelling, redness and difficulty in moving before coming to a general diagnosis. However, this will further be confirmed by an X ray (worn off bones, absent cartilages and spurs could be seen) with or without an MRI. Furthermore, blood tests (ESR) and joint fluid analysis can also be important in order to exclude other mimicking conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout respectively.  

Even though, there is no complete cure for osteoarthritis, lifestyle modifications and pharmacological interventions are known to be able to address the condition in the aspect of symptoms.  

•  Lifestyle modifications- Regular exercises, maintaining a healthy Body mass index, avoid stress on joints which is caused by heavy weight lifting etc. and change of occupation if necessary etc.   
•  Medication  

1. Pain relief- Acetaminophen can be used for mild-moderate pain, but long term usage can lead to liver damage.  

2. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - Ibuprofen, Naproxen sodium  
3. Anti-depressants such as Duloxetine- to treat chronic pain  

•  Physiotherapy  
•  Occupational therapy  
•  Surgical interventions-Corticosteroid injection to relieve severe pain and inflammation  

1. Hyaluronic lubrication injections  
2. Re-aligning bones  
3. Joint replacement surgery or Arthroplasty- Removal of damaged joint surfaces and replacing them with metal or plastic parts.  

What is Rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic auto immune condition which is characterized by pain, tenderness, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints including hands, feet and wrists, in a symmetrical manner. This can also result in extra articular manifestations involving skin, eyes, lungs, blood and nerves.  
Even though the exact etiology for rheumatoid arthritis is not clear, it is an autoimmune condition where the body produces antibodies against its own cells. Some scientists suggest that micro-organisms such as virus and bacteria play a major role in pathophysiology where smoking is thought to be another.  

Accounting for a significant female predominance, Rheumatoid Arthritis usually affects young people around the age of 20.  

The majority of the patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis present with an acute onset of joint pain, tenderness, swelling and limping in joints all over the body which will gradually progress as the weeks pass. Other extra articular symptoms can include fever, loss of appetite and weight, generalized body aches, red eyes, rheumatoid nodules over skin, anemia etc. Patients can also present with joint pains aggravated in the morning. This condition usually improve within 30 minutes in contrast to osteoarthritis pain.  

Physicians are able to diagnose this condition by analyzing the signs and symptoms derived from a complete history along with information about the family background. This can be further confirmed using imaging studies such as X RAY and MRI along with blood tests such as Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and cyclic citrulline antibody test (anti-CCP).  
The treatment plan for Rheumatoid arthritis mainly includes lifestyle modifications and pharmacological interventions.  

• Life style modifications- Regular exercises when the inflammation is controlled and appropriate rest during severe flare ups.  
•  Medications  

1. Anti-inflammatory agents  
2. Pain relievers (Narcotics)  
3. Corticosteroids  
4. Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) – Hydroxychloroquine, Immuno-suppressants such as methotrexate  

Even though there is no lifelong cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis, timely interventions can definitely prevent disability.  

Where does the difference lie?
The major difference between these 2 conditions lies in the nature of the natural course. Even though both these conditions affect our musculoskeletal system, Osteoarthritis is a degenerative, wear and tear type disorder where RA is an autoimmune condition. 

 
Both these conditions have a significant female predominance yet. Osteoarthritis usually affects people over 40 years of age where the incidence of RA is higher among young individuals around the age of 20.  

Osteoarthritis is a result of long-term pressure on large joints such as hips, knee and elbow resulting in a wearing off where the exact etiology of RA is not very clear, suggesting the influence of a genetic predisposition and long term smoking.   

Osteoarthritis usually affect one particular area or joint in the body where RA tends to affect multiple joints all over the body.  

Summary Signs and symptoms  Osteoarthritis

•  Joint pain, tenderness and stiffness around hands, fingers and knees  
•  One side is worsely affected than the other  
• Morning stiffness for more than 30 minutes  

Rheumatoid arthritis

•  Multiple joint pain, stiffness and tenderness  
•  Symmetrical symptoms   
•  Morning stiffness which improve within 30 minutes of activity  

· Extra-articular manifestations such as fatigue, fever, loss of weight and malaise  
Diagnosis

• These two conditions can easily be diagnosed with a clear history but XRAY, MRI and blood tests can be used to confirm the diagnosis.  
•  Wearing off of joints, absent cartilages and spurs can be seen in an X ray of a patient with osteoarthritis.  
•  ESR, CPR, anti-CCP may be elevated in RA where there will be no change in Osteoarthritis.  

Treatment

•  Pain relief, symptomatic management and prevention from further destruction are the main targets of management.  
•  Rheumatoid arthritis specifically has to be treated with immune-suppressants.  
• Both Osteoarthritis and RA have no long term cure but with timely interventions complications can be halted.  

References:  
www.healthline.com
www.webMD.com