Arthritis is a broad term that encompasses over 100 different conditions characterized by inflammation of one or more joints, resulting in pain and stiffness that can worsen with age.

The most common types include osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) and rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disease).

Symptoms generally include joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. While arthritis is predominantly a disease of the elderly, it can also affect children and young adults.

Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life and may involve medications, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, and in severe cases, surgery

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time, leading to pain, stiffness, and often reduced mobility.

Although it can damage any joint in your body, osteoarthritis commonly affects the hands, knees, hips and spine. Risk factors include age, joint injuries, obesity, and genetics.

While there’s no cure, treatments can help manage pain and maintain joint movement.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing inflammation that can result in severe damage.

Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects the lining of the joints, leading to painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity. This disease typically affects the small joints of the hands and feet, and it is characterized by symptoms such as tender, warm, and swollen joints, joint stiffness that is often worse in the mornings or after inactivity, and fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite.

With this type of arthritis, symptoms often spread to the wrists, knees, ankles, elbows, hips, and shoulders as the disease progresses. Treatment focuses on controlling symptoms and preventing joint damage

Cause:

Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear over time, or due to injury, leading to the breakdown of cartilage in the joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune condition, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints.

Affected Joints:

Osteoarthritis commonly affects weight-bearing joints like hips, knees, and the spine.

In contrast, rheumatoid arthritis typically starts in the smaller joints, such as those of the hands and feet, and often progresses to larger joints over time.

Symmetrical Symptoms:

Rheumatoid arthritis generally affects the same joints on both sides of the body, displaying symmetrical symptoms.

Osteoarthritis does not usually follow this pattern.

Age of Onset:

Osteoarthritis generally occurs later in life,

while rheumatoid arthritis can start at any age, including in children.

Systemic Effects:

While osteoarthritis is predominantly a localized condition affecting specific joints,

rheumatoid arthritis can have systemic effects, impacting other body systems and frequently causing symptoms like fatigue and fever.

Disease Progression:

Osteoarthritis tends to progress slowly over several years.

while rheumatoid arthritis can progress rapidly, leading to severe joint damage within a few years if not treated.