difference between osteoarthritis and ra

My fingers on both hands are affected by RA where as I only have osteoarthritis in my right knee not the left.) Also, pain and stiffness in the morning is common with RA. I would lean more to RA if it develops quickly. Osteo is more of a wear and tare process.

So, I would love for the general public to understand the difference between osteoarthritis and RA. It really irritates me when I tell them my RA is flaring and they tell me yeah, their knee has been giving them a little trouble too... 2 different things....

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In a nutshell, osteoarthritis is wear-and-tear on the joint. It can happen at any age, not just to "old people". It can be brought on by an injury, a congenital deformity, overuse in a sport or job. RA is a malfunction of the immune system in which it mistakes joint tissue, mainly the cartilage, as something that must be attacked and eliminated. This causes the typical swelling, redness, heat, and over time, damage that causes pain and disability.

I have had no blood tests for RA and I have no swelling. Can all of this be caused by Osteoarthritis or are my symptoms indicative of RA?

The first time it was like the difference between night and day. It helped with the pain (I have osteoarthritis in knee) and made movement tons easier. It worked well for over 6 months. However, on the second injection I became allergic to it and my leg from just about two inches above my ankle to about 4 inches above my knee swelled so much the skin was more than taunt and it was red. (Can't have anymore of the synvisc.) Trying to hold off on knee replacement as long as I can.

After my visit with a expert on Arthritis she said I have Osteoarthritis and not sure about RA so took blood from me yesterday. She also said there isn't anything they can do for my Osteoarthristis except take what I have been taking for pain. I have the pain/osteoarthritis in my fingers, knees, back, feet & ankles, shoulder probably. I guess you could say everywhere. I was wondering what happens, do I loose all my bone in these areas?

his only advice was to stop all range of motion stretches/exercises and do comfort measures only, ie tylenol, and let him know immediately if I get worse. So went to PC doc and she ordered the usual RA list of labs, all negative, and started me on Mobic. Consult letter to PC from spine doc said I had 'significant OA of C1-C2.' Even with Mobic, I found myself still needing Advil. Have now stopped Mobic and am using Advil and tylenol as needed. Per PC, I do have an appt.

I have osteoarthritis in all my joints (hands, knees, ankles and spine). Does RA cause osteoarthritis to appear everywhere? (I do NOT have red warm swollen joints, but both my ankles are very puffy.) And I have bony spurs on both kneecaps and fingers and outer ankles. I am disabled in both knees and my legs hurt when I stand and walk. I get rashes every day on my chest that fade in an hour. And I feel very tired all the time. Could this be RA or another autoimmune disease?

t expecting that especially @ 32 with a 4 yr old and 7 month old!! Anyways, he adviced pain meds and synvisc-one injections until we couldn't control the pain enough. I tried the injections. I won't lie the are a bit painful. My right one was just uncomfortable. The left one hurt way worse. I have no idea why but it even swelled up and I had to stay off it about 24 hours b/c of all the fluid on it.

t think xrays alone can tell the difference between RA and OA damage. The rheumie has to look at a broad range of evidence including bloodwork, xrays, mri (maybe), and your symptom pattern.

hi i recenlty been diagnosed as havin rheumatoid arthiritis in hand and osteo arthiritis in both knees i am constantly tired and in pain do you think there is a link between theses illnessess and hep c

My mom says that her Osteoarthritis does NOT cause her hands to become red, hot, and swollen every morning. She says they become stiff, swollen, and painful. I just read elsewhere that her symptoms are typical of osteoarthritis...mine are not. In fact, the article said that red and hot are not signs of osteoarthritis at all, but they could be symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, major organs shutting down, allergies, etc. My doctor looked at my hands one day and said that I had osteoarthritis...

To start with both the knees need to be X-rayed, and RA factor and antinuclear antibody (ANA) levels detected in blood. If nothing is detected then MRI may be done. Take care!

Normally C reactive protein is undetectable in blood. A level between 1-3 shows moderate risk and a level above 3 shows increased risk for heart problems, infection, inflammation, dental problem, arthritis, cancers etc. A high C-Reactive protein should be evaluated ASAP. RA factor is normal so rheumatoid is more or less ruled out. High ANA could be non-specific or may be due to an autoimmune disease. Mixed connective tissue disorders also cause a high ANA.

m sure you have read about methadone if not, you can go to the substance abuse forum and read about the constant wars between addicts and their methadone. Having been on quite a bit of different pain meds myself and years of being an addict, I am more comfortable being on methadone. I have advanced osteoarthritis as the result of surgeries, I was thinking that's what you have, right?

the MRI- it should be able to distinguish between osteoarthritis and RA- I asked an orthopedic colleague and he said that an MRI will show fluid, the amount of cartilage lost, and the changes in the synovium; but again, that it is ultimately a clinical diagnosis. Hopefully, after your MRI, your PCP and/or rheumatologist will be able to put the whole picture together for you.

I just figured since I already have osteoarthritis and the pain and cracking, popping sounds are similar so I figured it was just arthritis. I don't really know what else it could be..

However several months ago when I first began feeling pain which affected varies everyday activities I was also experiencing aching knees, shoulders and ankles. My dr did a full blood count and ra test. As she has said nothing to me I presume these are all negative. Apart from my thumb which is grade 2 osteoarthritis. (x ray 6 months ago-no obvious sign of arthritis) the aching elsewhere went away. However I have noticed that my other thumb is beginning to ache slightly.

Rheumatoid arthritis can lead to osteoarthritic changes, but OA does not mean you have RA. RA and OA are two completely different conditions, but many symptoms of both cross over so it's easy to confuse the two.

In the case of Osteoarthritis, acupuncture has effectively reduced and alleviated pain improving mobility of the joints, and finally, increasing the quality of life and overall wellbeing.

The doctors insist I have fibro and some osteoarthritis in my knees and back, but no RA. My sister has RA, and, like you, I think I may have it but they keep saying no.

My Mother and Aunt had severe Ra. No remission at all. Mom died at 62 and only had RA for 13 years. They both tested negative. I'm having symptoms and getting worse. I've been diagnosed with UCTD and osteoarthritis. I get sick with this stuff. My hands and feet are swollen today and the large knuckles on both hands are red and hurt. They are hot but not real red. I have been fighting for 2 years. What's next?

Does anyone have Osteoarthritis in finger joints. What do you do for pain and stiffness. Also what jobs do you do, I had to quit my job of 10 years, (doctor said so) looking for a job, but not sure what to do, any ideas. Going to start physical therapy soon.

Could this be osteoarthritis? Or Ra? I have been taking anti-inflammatories and I seem to respond well. In other words it takes away any pain. I am planning on seeing a rheumatologist soon. Please advise! Thank you!

I also have carpal tunnel and I have osteoarthritis. Both very painful, and I also need surgery, and I told them not right now. I take a long time to heal, and that alone is enough for me not to have surgery. I also use splints at night, and I have had to cut back on my quilting, but I refuse to stop all together. The osteoarthritis I have in all of my joints as well as RA, I have a triple whammy.

Difference between osteoarthritis and ra

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