Whatever kind of joint pain you’re experiencing, it will invariably be frustrating, at least somewhat debilitating and – above all – absolutely no fun whatsoever. That said, not all joint pain is the same, and not all joint pain is necessarily arthritis-related.
When arthritis is the root cause of your joint pain, however, the term encompasses a wide variety (more than 100!) types of arthritis, of which osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common. Although both types of arthritis cause joint pain and discomfort, they have different mechanisms of action, symptoms and approaches to treatment – and it’s very important to consider the differences between them when understanding your diagnosis and effectively planning with your healthcare professional how to manage your joint pain.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, which can be most simply described as joint pain that occurs as a result of wear and tear. The primary cause of osteoarthritis is the gradual breakdown of cartilage between the bones, resulting in a loss of cushioning between the joints. As cartilage breaks down, the bones in your joints start rubbing against one another, which can cause symptoms such as pain, swelling and stiffness.
Although osteoarthritis is typically associated with ageing and generally impacts older adults, it is also more prevalent amongst women and those with a family history of the condition. It can, however, develop at any age as a result of joint injuries or repetitive strain, and commonly affects the joints that support your weight – such as knees, hip and spine. It is also very common in the hands, which are more prone to repetitive actions than other joints.
Here are some of the key symptoms:
- Tenderness in the joints.
- Stiffness in the joints, especially during the first 30 minutes after waking up, or periods of inactivity.
- Bone spurs, which are growths of bone around the joints that may cause visible enlargement or ‘knobbliness’.
- Crepitus, which is a sound or sensation of grating or crackling when moving your joints.
- Limited range of movement in your joints.
- Weakness and possibly loss of muscle bulk.
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition whereby the body mistakenly attacks its own tissue, which leads to pain and swelling around the joints. The specific part of the joint affected is synovium, which is the lining of the joints, and when targeted by the immune system the tissue becomes inflamed, which can lead to eventual joint damage. The way rheumatoid arthritis affects the body stands in contrast to osteoarthritis, which is caused by mechanical wear and tear rather than a mistaken immune response.
Although rheumatoid arthritis can occur at any age, it most commonly begins between the ages of 30 and 50 and is more prevalent amongst women than men. It has a tendency to impact smaller joints first and then spread to larger joints, and because it is an autoimmune condition it also has the potential to impact other tissues and organs in the body.
Here are some of the key symptoms:
- Pain in the joints, often accompanied by the sensation of throbbing and aching.
- Stiffness in the joints, particularly lasting longer 30 minutes after waking up, or after long periods of inactivity.
- Symmetrical symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis typically impacts joints on both sides of the body, e.g. both hands and both knees. This is not always the case, however.
- Swelling, warmth and redness. This is a result of the joint lining becoming inflamed, and can make joints feel hot when touched.
- Fatigue, or a general lack of energy.
- Fever, including a high temperature and sweating.
- Weight loss.
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis compared
There are a few distinctions between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis that can help you tell the difference and establish which you might be experiencing.
Age of onset: Osteoarthritis is more common amongst the elderly, whereas rheumatoid arthritis can commonly occur from the age of 30 onwards. That said, either condition can impact people of any age.
Symmetry of symptoms: Rheumatoid arthritis often impacts pairs of joints (e.g. both hands, both knees, both hips) while osteoarthritis can impact one joint more than the other.
Length and type of stiffness: Morning stiffness after waking up dissipates more quickly with osteoarthritis (usually after less than 30 minutes) and improves with movement, while stiffness as a result of rheumatoid arthritis can last for several hours after waking up.
Severity of inflammation: Inflammation and swelling as a result of osteoarthritis tends to be mild, while rheumatoid arthritis causes more pronounced swelling and a sensation of warmth in the joints.
Systemic symptoms: The symptoms of osteoarthritis are limited to the joints, while rheumatoid arthritis can also cause tiredness, fever and symptoms in other organs such as the eyes, heart and lungs (e.g. dry eyes or chest pain).
Managing osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are conditions to be managed rather than cured, but the differences in how they function mean that management and treatment methods differ considerably. Please remember, any kind of joint pain requires a proper diagnosis from a healthcare professional before taking any medication or a treatment plan.
Managing osteoarthritis:
- Keeping weight in check. Reducing your weight when necessary can help to reduce the strain on load-bearing joints susceptible to osteoarthritis.
- Regular exercise helps to strengthen the muscles around joints and prevents them stiffening up.
- Assistive devices such as insoles or specially designed shoes to absorb the shock of walking.
- Pain relief medication such as paracetamol and NSAID, or in more severe cases your doctor may prescribe something stronger.
- Drug free products. FlexiSEQ lubricates the cartilage in joints to relieve pain and stiffness and improve impaired joint function associated with all stages of osteoarthritis.
Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis:
- DMARDs are disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs which slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis by blocking the chemicals released when the immune system attacks joints.
- Biological treatments may be prescribed if DMARDs are not effective on their own, and are given as an injection that helps stop chemicals in blood activating the immune system to attack joints.
- Medication to target inflammation such as NSAIDs like ibuprofen, or steroids taken as a tablet or an injection into the joints.
- Physiotherapy to help make joints more flexible and improve muscle strength.
