Member: I’ve started to notice some stiffness and pain that comes and goes in my joints. How can I tell if I have arthritis? And what can I do about it? —Ang, Fergus Falls
Doctor: That’s a great question, Ang. There are more than 100 different kinds of arthritis, so I’d like to talk about two of the most common types: rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Many symptoms of RA and OA are the same, so it can be hard to tell the difference. Let’s take a look at the two diseases.
SIMILARITIES
There are a few symptoms that are the same for both RA and OA, including:
• Stiff, achy joints
• Tenderness or warmth in joints
• Reduced range of motion
DIFFERENCES
RA is a disease that causes the body to mistakenly attack healthy cells. In RA, the body thinks that the soft lining around joints is a threat and attacks it, causing fluid buildup within the joint. OA is the most common form of arthritis and is a progressing joint disease. Cartilage that cushions the joint wears down, causing pain from bones rubbing against each other. Some of the main differences include:
Be sure to talk to your doctor about your symptoms and the treatment options that are right for you.