What is the difference between rheumatoid arthritis and severe degenerative osteoarthritis. their treatments?

Many differences: Rheumatoid arthritis typicall affects small joints of the hands and feet, is much more painful and causes stiffness of the joints. Degenerative joint disease, also called osteoarthritis is disease of the weight bearing joints like knees and hips and causes low to moderate degree of pain and it often occurs after 50 yrs of age.