Musculoskeletal explanations
Osteoarthritis
We have cartilage between our joints to cushion the joints. Over time, this cartilage breaks down and wears away. As a result, the bones begin to rub against each other, causing swelling and pain in that joint.
Rheumatoid arthritis
The body needs a way of protecting itself. We call this the immune system. The immune system is meant to protect the body from bad things that don’t belong in the body.
Sometimes, the immune system gets confused and attacks your own body. This is what we call an autoimmune disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system attacks your joints. This can cause pain, swelling and stiffness in your joints. Sometimes, the symptoms get worse and this is what we call a ‘flare-up’. Over time, this can damage the joints, cartilage and nearby bone.
We aren’t sure what causes the immune system to get confused. There’s no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but the earlier we find out about it, the more we can do to stop it from getting worse. Many people with rheumatoid arthritis that have treatment can live full lives and continue with their regular activities. We usually treat rheumatoid arthritis with medications to stop it from getting worse and to help with the symptoms.