Rheumatoid Arthritis vs. Osteoarthritis: What’s the Difference?

February 25, 2026

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Written by Sara McKinney

Rheumatoid Arthritis vs. Osteoarthritis: What’s the Difference?

February 25, 2026

·

Written by Sara McKinney

Joint pain. Stiffness. Loss of strength and flexibility. Getting older doesn’t have to mean missing out on life because of arthritis pain. In this article, we’ll cover how arthritis happens, as well as rheumatoid arthritis vs. osteoarthritis and how to tell the difference.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a progressive disease which causes damage to joints and tendons as we age. Extremely common in individuals over the age of 50, arthritis affects over one third of Americans.

Typically, arthritis arises from the natural wear and tear our joints experience over time. However, some factors like chronic illness and lifestyle choices may impact the likelihood of developing arthritis. These include:

Tobacco Use
Genetics
Lack of Exercise
Autoimmune Diseases
Obesity
Psoriasis
Age 50+
Women
Athletes
Physically Demanding Profession

Arthritis usually develops as the cartilage that pads joints breaks down. This may be caused by age, overuse, autoimmune activity, and illnesses such as gout. The exact type of arthritis may differ by cause. Smart lifestyle choices like maintaining a healthy diet, low-impact exercise, and regular supplementation can help ease arthritis symptoms and keep your joints healthy.

Rheumatoid Arthritis vs. Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis

The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis, impacts over 32.5 million Americans according to the CDC. Osteoarthritis (OA) is often associated with aging, overuse, and injury. This form of arthritis is usually caused by the degradation of joint tissue through regular use and movement as we age.

However, younger individuals may also experience osteoarthritis as the result of an injury or heavy use. This may be caused by athletic activity (especially contact sports), or labor-intensive professions, such as construction.

Osteoarthritis Common Signs

Common signs of osteoarthritis include:

Joint pain or stiffness, especially after use or activity
Joint pain or stiffness upon waking
Clicking or popping joints
Joint swelling
Muscle weakness

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, another very common form of arthritis, is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s joints. This causes severe inflammation, pain, swelling, and even joint deformities. This includes nodes or bumps along bone and joint tissue.

In addition to cartilage and joints, the body may also target other soft tissue. This includes major organs like the heart, lungs, and kidneys. Rheumatoid arthritis may even damage skin, nerves, muscles, and blood vessels. In severe cases, this can cause debility, serious illness, and even death.