Learn More: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis vs. Osteoarthritis
Have joint pain? Find out what type of arthritis your symptoms might indicate.
Arthritis is an umbrella name for more than 100 diseases, including lupus, gout, osteoarthritis (OA), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), all of which affect a person's joints or connective tissues. But OA and RA are very different diseases, with distinct symptoms and treatments.
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | Osteoarthritis | |
| When it starts | Usually between age 30 and age 60, but can begin anytime | Later in life, usually after age 50 |
| Joints affected | Tends to affect hands and feet first, but can affect any joints | Mostly hips, knees, feet, and spine; rarely affects hands |
| Joint symptoms | Pain, stiffness, heat, redness, tenderness | Pain, swelling |
| Pain symmetry | Yes; usually occurs in joints on both sides of the body (e.g., both wrists or both ankles) | No; pain often affects only one joint |
| Bone symptoms | Erosion of bones in affected joints | Bony growths |
| Blood test results | Detect inflammation, anemia | Normal |
| This sounds like me | Take the free Rheumatoid Arthritis Health Assessment for more information and personalized recommendations. | Take the free Osteoarthritis Health Assessment for more information and personalized recommendations. |
