There are a lot of different types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most well-known. Osteoarthritis is a condition that is often caused by joint overuse. This disease is common among older people but it cay occur at any age.
Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder that affects about 30 million people in America.
Osteoarthritis is a disorder that wears down the cartilage between the bones wear down. As a result, the bones start rubbing against each other causing pain.
Osteoarthritis progresses slowly and becomes worse over time. Some experts believe that anybody can develop a certain degree of osteoarthritis at some point in life.
It is important to determine the symptoms of osteoarthritis at the early stage. You will be able to slow down the progression of osteoarthritis. Below are 7 main symptoms of osteoarthritis and how it differs from rheumatoid arthritis.
If you experience one or several of these symptoms be sure to let your rheumatologist know about it. These may be both manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
1. Pain
Pain is the most obvious symptom of both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis causes joint pain that gets worse during movement and disappears after the rest. Rheumatoid arthritis causes general weakness and pain even when you rest and becomes worse when you move.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis are also more localized in comparison to rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis makes you feel generally tired and osteoarthritis pain is often limited around the joint.
2. Mild swelling
People with osteoarthritis have swelling but it is often mild. The joints may feel tender or a little painful. People with osteoarthritis most often experience swelling after physical activity. As the condition progresses, the swelling becomes more prominent.
3. Bone spurs
Bone spurs are a common symptom of osteoarthritis that get worse as the condition develops. Bone spurs are hard bumps that form around your joints or on your spine. The condition can be quite painful and cause discomfort.
Fortunately, it is possible to manage bone spurs with the help of medications. The doctor may also offer stem cell therapy for osteoarthritis. This is a modern and effective way to relieve osteoarthritis symptoms.
4. Limited range of motions
Osteoarthritis is a condition that decreases the flexibility of the joint significantly. This may limit your movements. Osteoarthritis often makes it impossible to bend your leg completely. This may interfere with walking or stair climbing.
5. Asymmetry
Osteoarthritis is a condition that most often affects the joints on one side of the body. Rheumatoid arthritis most often affects both sides of the body. This disease is characterized by symmetry and often appears in both knees or both hands. If osteoarthritis affected the left knee it is unlikely to appear in the right.
6. Cracking sounds
The joint that is affected by osteoarthritis often makes cracking and clicking sounds. This sound comes from the cartilage wearing out. Bones rub against each other and make clicking sounds when you move your joints. This will cause pain, swelling, and loss of motion in the joint.
7. Stiffness
Stiffness is a common symptom of osteoarthritis. Stiffness is often felt after the period of inactivity and disappears after gentle stretching or moving the affected area. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis normally don’t have stiffness in the morning. However, those with osteoarthritis may experience stiffness that lasts for several hours.
