Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis are the two most common forms of arthritis

In osteoarthritis, the joint surface degenerates and falls apart. Large bone spurs may grow along the joints.

In Rheumatoid Arthritis, there is a flaw in the immune system that causes it to attack the joint. It is not age-related like osteoarthritis.

The treatments for osteoarthritis do not include any preventative medications.

On the other hand, Rheumatoid Arthritis may completely respond to medications.

The picture shows the loss of surface cartilage with osteoarthritis. There may be nothing left separating the bones for the "bone-on-bone" end result.

Marked inflammation appears in joints with RA. Many joints can be involved at once.

People with RA may have symptoms that are not just in the joints like OA.

RA may cause a lot of problems.

Modern treatments for RA may remove all of the symptoms.

See a video discussion with more details including treatments at:


http://www.dralanjacobs.com/OAversusRA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bX4wgHoBhFo