{"id":16412,"date":"2020-10-29T13:00:37","date_gmt":"2020-10-29T17:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=16412"},"modified":"2025-04-08T13:33:08","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T17:33:08","slug":"osteoarthritis-vs-rheumatoid-arthritis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/osteoarthritis-vs-rheumatoid-arthritis\/","title":{"rendered":"Osteoarthritis vs. rheumatoid arthritis: Which one do I have?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Osteoarthritis vs. rheumatoid arthritis causes<\/a> | Prevalence<\/a> | Symptoms<\/a> | Diagnosis<\/a> | Treatments<\/a> | Risk factors<\/a> | Prevention<\/a> | When to see a doctor<\/a> | FAQs<\/a> | Resources<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Most people know of arthritis as a condition that causes joint pain and inflammation, but there are actually different types of arthritis that people can develop. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are two of the most common types of arthritis, and they affect people in different ways. Osteoarthritis affects the hands, knees, spine, and hips, while rheumatoid arthritis mainly affects the wrists, hands, and knees. Let\u2019s take a look at the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Causes\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Osteoarthritis<\/span><\/h3>\n

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (<\/span>CDC<\/span><\/a>). Sometimes osteoarthritis is called degenerative joint disease because it causes joint cartilage on the ends of bones to wear down over time. Inflammation or injury causes the cartilage to wear down, and eventually, the underlying bones start to change. This process causes pain and swelling in the finger joints, knees, hips, spine, or toes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rheumatoid arthritis\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Rheumatoid arthritis (<\/span>RA<\/span><\/a>) is an autoimmune disease that causes the body\u2019s immune system to attack the synovial membrane that protects healthy joints. When the immune system attacks this protective membrane, joints can become inflamed and get damaged. Rheumatoid arthritis mainly affects the hands, wrists, and knees, and it can target numerous joints at one time. In some cases, rheumatoid arthritis can even affect the heart, lungs, and eyes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Osteoarthritis vs. rheumatoid arthritis causes<\/span><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Osteoarthritis<\/b><\/td>\nRheumatoid arthritis<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
    \n
  • Inflammation<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Injury<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Cartilage on bones in the hands, hips, spine, knees, and toes are affected\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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