HOW TO TELL IF IT’s OA OR RA

If your doctor tells you that your joint pain is caused by arthritis, you may be wondering if you have osteoarthritis (OA) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  Although they both affect similar joints, they are very different.  Meanwhile, RA and OA have different treatment guidelines. 

OA is the most common type of arthritis, caused by “wear and tear” in the cushioning cartilage in the middle of the joints from overuse and/or aging.  It is known as “arthritis of old age”.   RA is caused by an immune system malfunction where the body mistakenly attacks its own joints.  RA causes inflammation that aggravates the linings surrounding the joints, which leads to severe joint erosions over time if left untreated. 

The onset of OA is usually after about 50 years of age, but can occur earlier if an injury or trauma causes severe joint damage.  RA most often starts between age 30 and 50 years old, although it can occur at any age, including childhood. 

OA most often affects the joints in the knees, hips, hands, and shoulders, and can involve one or more joints scattered throughout the body at different times.  RA typically affects multiple joints at the same time.  RA most often affects the hands, wrists, and feet, but can also include the knees, elbows, and ankles.  In RA, the same joints will usually be equally affected on both sides of the body.  The pain in OA is most commonly related to activity but can become constant.  Meanwhile, RA usually causes constant pain that does not resolve with rest. 

In RA, stiffness will occur in the morning and can last several hours.  With OA, stiffness will usually be brief in the morning, improved after getting up and moving around.  Both RA and OA can both cause swelling.  In OA the swelling will typically occur in one joint, whereas in active RA multiple joints may be swollen at the same time.