Osteoarthritis vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis: Which Is Worse for Your Knees?

Dr. Jeremy Andrews, a chiropractor at West Chiropractic, discusses the differences between osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in knee pain, and how to manage and prevent these conditions. Osteoarthritis (OA): Definition: A degenerative disease caused by wear and tear, leading to cartilage deterioration in joints. Common Sites: Knees, hips, spine (lumbar and cervical), and fingers. Symptoms: Pain, stiffness, decreased movement, and swelling. Bony nodules in finger joints can lead to stiffness and fine motor control issues. Causes: Aging, injuries (e.g., sports injuries), and mechanical stress causing joint misalignment and cartilage wear (especially in the knee’s medial joint). Management and Prevention: Exercise: Strengthening exercises to support knee alignment and reduce joint pressure. Techniques: Using resistance bands for leg lifts, bolstering with pillows for joint gaps, and massaging tight muscles (like the ITB) to relieve pressure. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Definition: An autoimmune disease where the body attacks its cartilage, leading to systemic inflammation and joint degeneration. Common Sites: Knees, fingers (knuckles), neck, hips, toes, and multiple joints. Symptoms: Whole body stiffness, fatigue, sharp joint pain, swelling, redness, and systemic symptoms affecting other organs. Severity: Considered more severe than OA due to its systemic nature and potential to affect multiple organs. Management: Specialist Care: Essential to see a rheumatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment. Medications: Often required to manage inflammation. Chiropractic Care: Can help with joint movement but should be part of a comprehensive plan overseen by a specialist. You can get a copy of Jeremy's best selling book The Secret Cure to back Pain here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Cure-... Call us on 01932355529 to book a FREE discovery visit www.westchiropractic.co.uk