By MacKenzie Thacker, PT, DPT, Cert. DN
Arthritis is a condition that causes tenderness and stiffness of one or more joints in your body. The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although both of these conditions cause pain and decreased range of motion in your joints, they are actually quite different.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. This occurs when the cartilage that lines the inside of your joints begins to break down. Cartilage is a smooth tissue that cushions the end of your joints to allow for movement without any friction. When the cartilage begins to break down it can lead the bones rubbing directly against each other. This "bone on bone" movement can lead to pain, decreased range of motion, and deformities in the bones themselves or even surrounding connective tissue.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a more widespread inflammatory condition that can affect more than just your joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a form of autoimmune disorder where your body starts attacking its own joints. Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis affects the actual lining of the capsule of your joints. When the joint capsule lining is compromised it can lead to further breakdown of the bones and the surrounding tissue. Some symptoms that are specific to rheumatoid arthritis are warm/swollen joints, fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
There are many different ways to distinguish between rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. The first being which joints are most likely to be affected. With osteoarthritis, joints such as your hips, knees, shoulders, and spine are most likely to be involved. Whereas, rheumatoid arthritis typically begins in your smaller joints, such as your fingers and hands, and can progress to the larger joints. In addition, it is common for symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis to occur in "flares", where symptoms are worse, followed by periods where symptoms can decrease or even disappear. Osteoarthritis tends to remain more consistent with symptoms typically worse after periods of inactivity, such as first thing in the morning. However, the gold standard in diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis is with a blood test, where osteoarthritis can be diagnosed with an x-ray.
Although there is no cure for either rheumatoid or osteoarthritis, there are some treatment options available for these conditions, such as physical therapy. Physical therapy can help to treat various different symptoms that are experienced by each of these conditions. Improving strength, flexibility, and joint mobility can lead to increased range of motion and decreased pain levels. Professional Rehabilitation Services (PRS) is staffed with skilled physical therapists who can help formulate individualized treatment plans to address your needs and goals. Our physical therapists are trained to design exercise programs to help you learn techniques to manage your arthritis symptoms and improve your quality of life, no matter which form of arthritis you may be experiencing.
If you or someone you know is experiencing arthritis symptoms, consider reaching out to any of our 10 locations across the Grand Strand and surrounding areas. For further information on this or other related topics you can contact Mackenzie Thacker, PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Forestbrook) (854) 223-4832, Brian Kinmartin PT, DPT, MTC, STC, OCS, CWcHP (Pawleys Island) (843) 235-0200, Richard A. Owens, MPT, OCS, Cert. SMT, CWcHP (Surfside) (843) 831-0163, Richard DeFalco, DPT, OCS, CSCS, CWcHP (Myrtle Beach) (843) 839-1300, Lisa O'Brien, PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Murrells Inlet) (843) 314-3224, Jill P. Phelan, PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Conway) (843) 773-3031, Brandon Stanley, PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Little River) (843) 281-4222, Taylor Dawley, PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Carolina Forest) (843) 282-0440, Zach Daniels, PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Market Common) (843) 213-6338, Kayla Carlisle, PT, DPT (Longs) (843) 491-0388 or visit our website at www.prsrehabservices.com where you can learn more about the company and even download a referral form for your physician to fill out. You can also call and schedule a free 15 minute consultation at any of our 10 locations.
