Arthritis means “joint inflammation” and is not one single condition. When patients hear the term “arthritis”, they often think of the “wear and tear” changes seen in osteoarthritis (OA). But rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is very different, despite often being covered under the same umbrella. RA is an autoimmune disease, where the body mistakenly attacks its own joints. This causes pain, inflammation, stiffness, and joint deformity over time.
RA is less common than osteoarthritis, but needs early recognition and treatment to limit the damage done by the disease.
Early Signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis
RA can begin at almost any age, but it most often starts in adults between their 30s and 50s. One of the first things people notice is stiffness, especially in the morning or after periods of rest. Morning stiffness is common in OA too, but it resolves quickly, whereas RA stiffness typically lasts for more than 30 minutes. The condition usually begins in the smaller joints (the fingers, wrists, and feet) and often affects both sides of the body at the same time. Joints may look swollen, feel tender, and ache even at rest.
Because RA is systemic, there may also be general symptoms such as:
- Fatigue or low energy
- A mild fever during flares
- A general sense of feeling “run down” or under the weather
These patterns of flare and remission are very typical of RA, with symptoms worsening at times and easing at others. You might find that these patterns are unpredictable and seemingly unrelated to your lifestyle variations.
Rheumatoid vs Osteoarthritis
It can be easy to confuse the two conditions, especially in the early stages. Key differences include:
- Symmetry: RA tends to affect the same joints on both sides, whereas OA may just affect one knee, hip, or hand.
- Inflammatory features: Heat, swelling, and prolonged stiffness are associated with RA and other inflammatory forms of arthritis. Despite the name, OA does not cause significant inflammation.
- Age and history: RA can develop in younger adults for no apparent reason. Onset may also follow trauma, including emotional trauma such as bereavement. OA usually follows physical injury, surgery, or develops slowly from around the age of 50,
Progression and Joint Changes
If left untreated, repeated inflammatory episodes can damage the joint structure over time. In the hands, this initially causes warm, soft swellings that develop into hard, bony bumps as the body lays down bone tissue. Tell-tale signs are ulnar deviation and swan-neck deformity. The illustration above also shows the visual changes in the hands more associated with OA: the nodes on the joints of the fingers.
Prevention is better than cure, indeed these bony changes cannot be reversed. Early identification and referral to a rheumatologist is the way to access the medication that can slow or prevent disease progression.
Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis with Osteopathy
While medication is the first step of RA treatment, osteopathy can support you in managing your symptoms. Hands-on treatment and exercise advice can:
- Reduce muscle tension around sore joints
- Help maintain good movement
- Improve stability for affected joints that develop ligamentous laxity
- Support better posture and reduce compensations that increase strain elsewhere
Neck pain (and associated headaches) are common issues with RA, as the small joints of the neck can become unstable. Targeted strengthening and supportive treatment can help keep this manageable and safe.
Book your appointment online to get support for your arthritis in Pill or Ham Green (Bristol).
