Advertisement
question

Can rheumatoid arthritis be mistaken for osteoarthritis?

Donna Hill Howes, RN
Donna Hill Howes, RN
Family Practitioner
answer
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can be mistaken for each other because both are characterized by swelling and inflammation. However, rheumatoid arthritis is different because in this condition, the body's immune system attacks the joints. This can happen suddenly and cause severe inflammation. On the other hand, osteoarthritis is caused by a breakdown of joint cartilage and tends to develop over time.

Continue Learning about Rheumatoid Arthritis

Questions to ask your healthcare provider about rheumatoid arthritis
Questions to ask your healthcare provider about rheumatoid arthritis
When you were first diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you probably had a lot of questions for your healthcare provider (HCP). And that's a goo...
Read More
9 questions to ask your doctor about moderate-to-severe RA
9 questions to ask your doctor about moderate-to-severe RA
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease where the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues, causing chronic inflammation in the joint...
Read More
Could a healthy diet ward off rheumatoid arthritis?
Could a healthy diet ward off rheumatoid arthritis?
There’s no surefire way to prevent rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic inflammatory disease that can damage joints and other parts of the body. Risk ...
Read More
6 questions to ask your doctor about rheumatoid arthritis
6 questions to ask your doctor about rheumatoid arthritis
Suspecting you have RA or being diagnosed with it brings up a lot of stressful feelings and emotions, not to mention—a lot of questions. You want to k...
Read More

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.