Rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any age, although osteoarthritis often affects older people.

When two or three bones come together in a joint, cartilage wear and tear or joint injury can cause arthritis. There is a spongy covering between the bones called cartilage that allows for easy gliding and prevents bone-on-bone friction. However, there are a number of ways that this cartilage might be harmed. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are the two primary kinds of arthritis.

The distinctions between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are discussed He also discusses how both disorders are managed.

Osteoarthritis: Degeneration From Wear And Tear

Osteoarthritis is characterised by the long-term, progressive deterioration of cartilage brought on by repeated use. The cartilage in a joint eventually deteriorates as a result of friction between the two bones. Pain can result from the bones touching the subcortical bone beneath them when the cartilage is too thin. Long-term use and abuse result in this degenerative process.

Women normally get osteoarthritis between the ages of 55 and 60, whilst men typically do so between the ages of 60 and 80. The hands are rarely affected by this illness, which predominantly affects loading joints like the knees and hips. Pain, restricted joint motion, and stiffness are possible symptoms, especially in the morning.

Anti-inflammatory Autoimmune Response In Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is not brought on by cartilage wear and tear, unlike osteoarthritis. Instead, inflammation is what causes it. When synovial tissue gets inflamed, it stops generating synovial fluid, which is a viscous liquid found between joints. In certain cases, the immune system of the body struggles to recognise its own tissues because of factors like viral infections. As a result, the cartilage is attacked by an overproduction of anti-inflammatory cells and tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis is a secondary kind of arthritis as opposed to primary arthritis, which is immediately brought on by cartilage wear and tear. It happens when our immune system fails to recognise its own tissues, causing chemicals to be released. This significant distinction separates osteoarthritis from rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis can appear between the ages of 10 and 50. Patients with this disorder frequently experience severe pain, morning stiffness, and, in rare instances, joints may bend abnormally. Small joints, such as those in the hands and feet, can be affected by rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment Methods For Rheumatoid Arthritis And Osteoarthritis

Anti-inflammatory medications, lifestyle modifications, food restrictions, weight control, and exercise are frequently used as treatments for osteoarthritis. Up to stage 4, when joint replacement surgery becomes the only possible option, these treatments can be beneficial.

Weight loss and other related interventions are less successful in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Instead, decreasing inflammation using anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals and disease-modifying therapies like corticosteroids is the main strategy for influencing the immune system. The cartilage is most successfully treated when this is done before it suffers significant damage. If the cartilage is significantly destroyed and the discomfort and swelling don’t go away, joint replacement surgery is required to get the results you want. Surgery for osteoarthritis is often performed on patients who are older, or above 55. In contrast, since rheumatoid arthritis can strike at any age, surgery is often performed quite young—around 35 years old.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a lifetime ailment once it manifests. It does not go away by itself, in contrast to other types of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis, a condition frequently seen in older people, is brought on by the cartilage’s normal deterioration. Osteoarthritis can be considerably delayed by adopting a healthy lifestyle, eating a balanced diet, controlling weight, and exercising often. While physiotherapy is frequently advised as a treatment in the early stages (1 and 2), surgery may be required in the more advanced phases (3 and 4). Usually, weight-bearing joints like the hips and knees are affected by this ailment.

Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, can manifest in younger age groups, from 8 to 50 years old. This kind of arthritis is characterised by cartilage degradation and joint inflammation, frequently affecting several joints. Due to the immune system-driven nature of rheumatoid arthritis, lifestyle modifications have little effect; however, in the early stages, medicine can successfully decrease inflammation. Surgery is often the best choice for those with severe arthritis.