According to the CDC, millions of Americans are impacted by arthritis every single year with roughly 23% of adults (approximately 53 million) dealing with arthritis symptoms which include but are not limited to joint pain, swelling, and stiffness on a daily basis. Patients can experience several different types of arthritis but two of the most common forms are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Take a look at some of the differences between the two types and how physical therapy can help you!
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition that occurs when the cartilage between your bones wear away over time and is a normal part of aging. Osteoarthritis can also occur after previous injuries or be the result of other types of trauma including infection and over-use. In advanced cases of Osteoarthritis, the breakdown of the cartilage may cause the bone underneath to become inflamed which can cause significant discomfort and pain. The cartilage itself doesn’t have any pain receptors, so for most people with Osteoarthritis (OA), the pain can come from other structures in or around the joint.
For individuals who experience Osteoarthritis, it typically only occurs in one isolated joint. Some of the most common Osteoarthritis symptoms patients experience include stiffness in the morning, a thickening or change in angulation of a joint, cracking or grinding sounds, muscle weakness, reduced range of motion, and joint pain. In most cases, the pain and discomfort that patients experience from Osteoarthritis will build up over time for years.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease and occurs when the body’s immune system begins to attack itself instead of doing its intended job of attacking external threats. Patients who have Rheumatoid Arthritis can begin to experience symptoms in as short as a few weeks to months. The body’s immune system will begin to attack the membrane that protects and encases joints and will often attack several joints at once.
For individuals who experience Rheumatoid Arthritis, oftentimes the symptoms will be deceptive in that the condition can have many of the same symptoms as a common cold or flu and will often get worse over time. Some of the most common symptoms include low appetite, fever, painful joints, stiffness, limited range of motion, muscle aches, and fatigue.
While Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis might sound similar and have many commonalities between the two, they are very different from one another.
The first way in which the two conditions are different is the way they occur. Osteoarthritis often occurs over an extended period of time and can be the result of prolonged stress and wear and tear on the affected joints. Rheumatoid Arthritis on the other hand can occur quite suddenly, and can go through cycles of flare-ups and remission. Age is also a differentiating factor, as Osteoarthritis typically occurs later on in life whereas Rheumatoid Arthritis can occur at any point in one’s lifetime.
The next way in which the two conditions are different from one another is the nature in which they present themselves on affected joints. Osteoarthritis will often occur in isolated scenarios. A good example is knees, hands, and wrists, and hips. One knee might be impacted by joint stiffness and pain more than the other knee with Osteoarthritis. In comparison, Rheumatoid Arthritis would often impact both sides and is largely symmetrical in nature.
The progression of the two conditions is also different. For individuals who experience Osteoarthritis, the associated symptoms often get worse over extended periods of time but largely remain centered around the affected joint with slow progression. Rheumatoid Arthritis often occurs quite suddenly and starts with smaller joints like your knuckle joints, and can progress to much larger joints like shoulders or knees. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) can affect other tissues in the body like blood vessels and lungs.
Some of the day-to-day symptoms can also vary based on the type of arthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis has significant swelling which isn’t common with Osteoarthritis and can also cause whole-body symptoms that can last all day.
Both Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis are chronic conditions that do not have a cure but can be effectively treated with physical therapy. There is a lot of evidence that exercise and activity are very effective in managing arthritis. Physical therapy can provide a safe and specific plan to preserve joint health and improve quality of life. The first step in effectively treating both types of arthritis is to get a proper evaluation and diagnosis from a qualified healthcare professional to confirm that you do have arthritis and to establish an effective plan of care that works for you based on your unique needs and goals.
At Results Physiotherapy, we treat patients with arthritis and work hard to help them manage their symptoms, strengthen supporting structures and muscle function, and improve their range of motion to help them get back to doing the things they love most. Your physical therapist will also work with you to help you overcome any obstacles that could be causing you pain and work with you to establish new ways to perform routine tasks to avoid joint pain and discomfort.
If you experience discomfort or pain from Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis, our licensed physical therapists can help you. Schedule an appointment today at one of our hundreds of locations across the country to see how physical therapy can help you!
