Osteoarthritis vs. rheumatoid arthritis

Osteoarthritis vs. rheumatoid arthritis

Osteoarthritis is a gradual deterioration of cartilage that leads to overgrowth of bone often due to "wear and tear." Rheumatoid arthritis is the inflammation of a joint's connective tissues, such as the synovial membranes, which leads to the destruction of the joint's cartilage.






Review Date: 1/24/2018
Reviewed By: Andrew W. Piasecki, MD, Camden Bone and Joint, LLC, Orthopaedic Surgery/Sports Medicine, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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