⁰¹⁵ ℂ𝕃𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔽𝕐 *Making Medicine Clearer* ᴾᵒʷᵉʳᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵂᵉᵀʰᵉᴰᵒᶜᵗᵒʳˢ 𝙾𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚘𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚜 𝚟𝚜. 𝚁𝚑𝚎𝚞𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚘𝚒𝚍 𝙰𝚛𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚜 Wₕy ₜₕₑ ₘᵢₓ-ᵤₚ? They both cause joint pain and stiffness, but one wears the joints out while the other attacks them from within. ⚙️ 𝙾𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚘𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚜 Definition: A degenerative joint disease where cartilage breaks down over time. This is the “wear-and-tear” arthritis, common in aging or overused joints (like knees, hips). It causes pain, stiffness, and limited motion, typically worsening with use and improving with rest. ────────────── Vs. ────────────── 🛡️ 𝚁𝚑𝚎𝚞𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚘𝚒𝚍 𝙰𝚛𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚜 Definition: An autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system attacks joint linings. It often starts in younger adults, affects smaller joints symmetrically, and causes prolonged morning stiffness. Unlike osteoarthritis, it’s systemic and can damage organs. Early treatment is key to avoid permanent disability. ℂ𝕃𝔸ℝ𝕀𝔽𝕀𝔼𝔻 OA = mechanical wear, older age RA = immune attack, any age Their cause, course, and care are worlds apart. 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒙𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒐𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒔. *_WeTheDoctors™ | © 2025_*