Osteoarthritis and other rheumatic diseases are conditions that cause pain in the joints. Both conditions affect your daily life and making (to the eye) simple movements. This is why they are often confused with each other. Yet they are two different conditions. But what exactly is the difference between these conditions? We explain it in detail for you.

The similarities between osteoarthritis and rheumatic diseases

To explain the differences between the conditions, it is useful to know what osteoarthritis and rheumatic diseases are and what they have in common. The most well-known rheumatic disorders are: rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis and polyarthrosis. The symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatic diseases are very similar: painful joints, stiffness and/or swelling in the joints. Because of these similarities, they are often confused with each other.

The differences between osteoarthritis and other rheumatic diseases

Osteoarthritis:

In osteoarthritis, the cartilage in the joints is damaged. This may be due to overuse or improper loading. Cartilage does not recover much, if at all. This can cause the cartilage to deteriorate to the point of causing pain in the joints. Cartilage is precisely what is in the joints to make movements smooth and painless. Besides pain, swelling and stiffness are also common complaints.

Rheumatism:

Rheumatism is caused by inflammation in the joint. This inflammation can cause cartilage to deteriorate, and so osteoarthritis develops. So this also explains why rheumatism and osteoarthritis are so confused with each other.

Arthritis:

Besides rheumatoid arthritis, there are other rheumatic diseases. Arthritis is one of them. Arthritis is an autoimmune disease. In arthritis, there is inflammation in the joint capsule. This causes painful and stiff joints. Because of these symptoms, arthritis is often confused with osteoarthritis, but it is definitely not the same thing.

Polyarthrosis

Polyarthrosis stands for osteoarthritis located in different areas of the body. This form of osteoarthritis can be caused by the known form of osteoarthritis, but also by an autoimmune disease. This autoimmune disease attacks the healthy cartilage cells, thus reducing them.

Exercising with this condition

Osteoarthritis or rheumatic diseases cause annoying pain in the joints. This makes it very tempting not to move. However, this is not conducive to the mobility you still have. Under the guidance of our physiotherapists, we get you moving again in a responsible way. We look at your personal situation and possibilities.