Osteoarthritis (OA) usually develops in joints that are injured by a repeated activity from a favorite sport or constant physical action. Eventually this injury or repeated impact thins and wears away the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones in the joint. As a result, the bones rub together, causing a grating sensation. Joint flexibility is then reduced, bone spurs develop, and the joints swell. Usually the first symptom of OA is pain that immediately follows physical activity or after periods of immobility.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects various joins. Autoimmune conditions prompt the body to release enzymes that attack it’s own healthy tissue. In RA, these enzymes destroy the linings of joints. This causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and even malformation.

People with RA may have symptoms presenting as fatigue, fever, weight loss, eye inflammation, anemia, subcutaneous nodules (bumps under the skin), or pleurisy (a lung inflammation).