What’s the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?

Q: What’s the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?

<a href="/conditions/osteoarthritis/" class="popover" data-tooltip="<div><h6>Osteoarthritis</h6><p>Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease involving cartilage degradation. It’s not clear what exactly causes OA, but some risk factors include joint injury, overweight or obesity, aging, misaligned joints, and family history. Lots of supplements have been studied in people with OA, as have lifestyle interventions including weight loss and exercise.</p></div>">Osteoarthritis is caused by a progressive loss of cartilage that leads to joint inflammation via bone-on-bone rubbing, overuse, age, and trauma, whereas rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that targets and degrades joint tissue.

Question

Accepted Answer

Osteoarthritis is caused by a progressive loss of cartilage that leads to joint inflammation via bone-on-bone rubbing, overuse, age, and trauma, whereas rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that targets and degrades joint tissue.