Most people, especially those around 50 and older, are familiar with arthritis. If they have not experienced it themselves, they may have witnessed others cope with painful joints, often in their hands, hips and knees.
Arthritis happens when the cartilage that pads your joints begins to break down and possibly swell. Usually, symptoms get worse over time.
There are several different types of arthritis with the most common being osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). What’s the difference between the two? Osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear on your joints, whereas rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Let’s look further at the differences and similarities.
Osteoarthritis arthritis
Over time, OA can wear down the cartilage in the joints to the point that the bones rub together. Common in older adults, OA is a degenerative condition, which means the area around the joints degrades, lessening the cushion between the bones.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Most people have also heard of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is an autoimmune disease. When someone has RA, their immune system attacks their joints and sometimes, other parts of the body.
| Osteoarthritis | Rheumatoid arthritis | |
|---|---|---|
| Pain, stiffness and/or swelling in one or more joints in your hands, knees, hips, neck and lower back | X | |
| Pain that goes away with rest | X | |
| Joints that feel loose or unstable | X | |
| Difficulty with movement | X | |
| The joints on both sides of your body are affected | X | |
| Fatigue | X | |
| Fever | X |
When to see your doctor
If you experience any or a combination of these symptoms, it’s wise to see your doctor:
- Movement in one or more joints becomes painful.
- The skin over the affected join becomes inflamed and swells. The same area may also feel warm to the touch. If you experience swelling for three days or longer and it happens more than three times a month, you should see your doctor.
- Stiffness that lasts more than an hour after getting out of bed, sitting for a long time or riding or driving in a car should be checked out.
- Difficulty getting up. Feeling pain or struggling to stand up from a sitting position may be a sign of arthritis.
How it’s diagnosed
A visit to your primary care clinician is the first step to finding out what is causing your pain. Though there isn’t a definitive test for arthritis, your doctor will likely do the following:
- Physical exam and complete history
- Blood tests
- Imaging tests – X-rays and MRIs
| Osteoarthritis | Rheumatoid arthritis | |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise can improve joint pain and stiffness and help develop your flexibility and strength. | X | |
| Managing your weight can alleviate pain, help the joints from getting worse and improve joint movement. | X | |
| Medication may include topical medication, prescription liquids and patches, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac. | X | X |
| Corticosteroids injections can ease pain and reduce swelling. | X | X |
| Medications including antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics. | X | |
| Surgery may be needed to repair damaged joints. | X | X |
Managing your arthritis symptoms
Because there is no cure for most forms of arthritis, it is important to take steps to manage its effects to improve your overall quality of life. Arthritis is an inflammatory condition, so reducing inflammation in your day-to-day life can be helpful.
Other lifestyle issues such as avoiding tobacco products and alcohol, and eating a well-balanced diet, moving your body regularly, and taking care of your joints with physical therapy, and other health techniques, can all be helpful for managing the negative effects of arthritis.
Living with arthritis has an emotional component that may also warrant treatment. Because it can take a toll on your mental health, seeking therapy, engaging in meditation, doing acupuncture, having heat or cold therapy, and/or massages can also be beneficial for both the mind and body.
If you are living with arthritis or suspect you have arthritis, see your doctor.
Bibliography
Arthritis. (2025, March 19). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12061-arthritis
Arthritis – Symptoms and causes. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350772
Managing arthritis pain. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/in-depth/arthritis/art-20046440
Osteoarthritis. (2025, March 19). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5599-osteoarthritis
Psoriatic arthritis. (2025, March 19). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/13286-psoriatic-arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis. (2025, February 7). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4924-rheumatoid-arthritis
Septic arthritis. (2025, March 19). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22418-septic-arthritis
https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/arthritis
https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/gout/diagnosis-treatment-and-steps-to-take
