Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Symptoms:

• Joint pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest
• Stiffness, especially after periods of inactivity like long sitting
• Swelling around affected joints
• Reduced flexibility and range of motion
• Crepitus or crackling sound
• Bone spurs (bony growths)
• Affects unilateral (one side ) or bilateral ( both sides )

Causes:

• Wear and tear of cartilage over time
• Aging (most common cause)
• Joint injury or overuse
• Obesity (extra stress on weight-bearing joints)
• Genetic predisposition

Treatment:

• Lifestyle changes: Weight management, regular low-impact exercise (like swimming or walking)
• Medications: Pain relievers (acetaminophen), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Physical therapy: Strengthening muscles around joints, maintaining range of motion and muscle flexibility, improving muscular and cardio vascular endurance
• Injections: Corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid
• Surgery: Joint replacement in severe cases

---

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Symptoms:

• Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness (often symmetrical, affecting both sides of the body)
• Fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite
• Morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes
• Joint deformities in advanced stages

Causes:

• Autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the joint synovial lining (synovium)
• Genetic factors (family history)
• Environmental triggers (infections, smoking)
• Hormonal factors (more common in women)

Treatment:

• Medications:
  • Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) like methotrexate
  • Biologic agents that target specific immune responses
  • NSAIDs and corticosteroids for pain and inflammation
• Lifestyle management: Balanced diet, regular exercise, stress reduction
• Physical and occupational therapy: To maintain joint function and mobility
• Surgery: Joint repair or replacement in severe cases

---

Key Difference:

• OA is a degenerative joint disease caused by wear and tear.
• RA is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks its own joints.