What is the difference between RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) and OA (Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage has gone through wear and tear in a joint. It often only occurs in one joint, like a knee or a hip. Osteoarthritis occurs in about 60-80% of the population. Most people with osteoarthritis will be given pain relief like NSAIDs or cortisone injections into the specific joint.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease. Meaning your whole body is affected. Your immune system attacks itself instead of foreign bodies. It usually it affects joints symmetrically, so both knees, both hips etc. It can also attack organs, skin and eyes. The medication used for RA is very powerful. Many people are given DMARDs (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs). These slow down the progress of the disease and help prevent joint erosion. The most common drug prescribed is Methotrexate, it's actually an anti-cancer drug. In many cases it's not strong enough and people have to add another DMARD, steroids and biologic DMARDs which are very expensive drugs.

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Osteoarthritis is a general wearing down of the joints for many different reasons. In the hands OA affects the 2 distal joints (furthest from torso) so the middle and last joints on the hands. OA will also affect the discs in the back.

RA is an autoimmune disease that affects the middle joint of the hand and the closest knuckles. Autoimmune diseases are when the body attacks other parts of the body. It will also affect parts in the neck and other parts of the body as well.

I hope this answers your questions.

Difference Between Ra And Oa

Yes, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. These people often have intense inflammation along with systemic symptoms such as fever and malaise. Usually, the inflammation is symmetricial (ie on both hands). For OA, usually it starts asymmetrically. OA does not involve systemic systems. There are many risk factors for OA such as obesity, age, trauma, genetics, female gender, etc, etc. Also, OA usually does not have inflammation (except if severe)

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.

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!