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A member asked:
What is the difference between ra and osteoarthritis?
6 doctors weighed in across 3 answers
See below: To be overly simplistic, osteoarthritis is considered to be due to wear and tear damage on joints from mechanical forces and is treated primarily with pain medications, weight loss and exercise, while rheumatoid arthritis is cause by the immune (infection fighting) system becoming confused and attacking the joints instead of infectious agents and is treated by drugs that alter the immune system.
Answered 9/15/2012
6.2k views
Very different.: Ra is a destructive, inflammatory, immunological process affecting joints and other body organs. Oa is an insidious, degenerative joint process with less inflammation.
Answered 3/22/2015
5.6k views
Mechanism: RA is an inflammatory arthritis wherein your immune system attacks the cushioning within your joints. OA is destructive from use.
Answered 10/25/2014
3.6k views
Related Questions
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I have been fighting Osteoarthritis since diagnosis in knees and lumbar back in 1998. In 2017 was also diagnosed with RA. Can having long term OA led to RA?
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My blood test has showed negative for ra. I have joint pain, stiffness and swelling in several areas. Could it be osteoarthritis.?
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Know pain and stiffness pos ANA elevated ESR fatigue family history of RA but dr says it's osteoarthritis does this sound right? Go to rheumo anyways?
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Does RA patients have osteoporosis?What is the difference between RA and osteoporosis?
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