Osteoarthritis vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis: Which Is Worse for Your Knees?

Dr. Jeremy Andrews, a chiropractor at West Chiropractic, discusses the differences between osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in knee pain, and how to manage and prevent these conditions.
Osteoarthritis (OA):
Definition: A degenerative disease caused by wear and tear, leading to cartilage deterioration in joints.
Common Sites: Knees, hips, spine (lumbar and cervical), and fingers.
Symptoms: Pain, stiffness, decreased movement, and swelling. Bony nodules in finger joints can lead to stiffness and fine motor control issues.
Causes: Aging, injuries (e.g., sports injuries), and mechanical stress causing joint misalignment and cartilage wear (especially in the knee’s medial joint).
Management and Prevention:
Exercise: Strengthening exercises to support knee alignment and reduce joint pressure.
Techniques: Using resistance bands for leg lifts, bolstering with pillows for joint gaps, and massaging tight muscles (like the ITB) to relieve pressure.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA):
Definition: An autoimmune disease where the body attacks its cartilage, leading to systemic inflammation and joint degeneration.
Common Sites: Knees, fingers (knuckles), neck, hips, toes, and multiple joints.
Symptoms: Whole body stiffness, fatigue, sharp joint pain, swelling, redness, and systemic symptoms affecting other organs.
Severity: Considered more severe than OA due to its systemic nature and potential to affect multiple organs.
Management:
Specialist Care: Essential to see a rheumatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Medications: Often required to manage inflammation.
Chiropractic Care: Can help with joint movement but should be part of a comprehensive plan overseen by a specialist.
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