What is the difference between rheumatoid arthritis and severe degenerative osteoarthritis and treatments?

I had a car run over me two years ago and since then I have gotten severe osteoarthritis in both of my knees, feet, hips, lower back and hands. I have no synovial fluid left in my knees and rubbing bone on bone. When I get up in the morning, I have to shuffle because my feet will not function. I think that is all I can explain at this time. Thanks

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause inflammation of the tissue around the joints, as well as other organs in the body. Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis involves a physical examination, the patient's clinical history, and diagnostic tests. The rheumatoid factor test is among the diagnostic tests commonly ordered to help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. The rheumatoid factor is an immunologic marker in the body, found in low titre in a number of diseases, including infectious mononucleosis and other viral diseases, chronic bacterial infections, and other acute and chronic conditions. Rheumatoid factor is also found in approximately 5 percent of healthy elderly persons. The concern is that when found in higher titre, it does suggest rheumatic disease. rheumatoid factor are usually found in rheumatoid arthritis. Clinically, higher titers tend to correlate with more severe and sustained disease, joint deformities, rheumatoid nodules, and other extraarticular features of the disease. While rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic illness, meaning it can last for years, patients may experience long periods without symptoms. Typically, however, rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive illness that has the potential to cause joint destruction and functional disability. There is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis. To date, the goal of treatment in rheumatoid arthritis is to reduce joint inflammation and pain, maximize joint function, and prevent joint destruction and deformity. Early medical intervention has been shown to be important in improving outcomes. Two classes of medications are used in treating rheumatoid arthritis: fast-acting "first-line drugs" and slow-acting "second-line drugs" (also referred to as Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs or DMARDs). The first-line drugs, such as aspirin and cortisone (corticosteroids), are used to reduce pain and inflammation. The slow-acting second-line drugs, such as gold, methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) promote disease remission and prevent progressive joint destruction, but they are not anti-inflammatory agents. Newer "second-line" drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis include leflunomide (Arava), and the "biologic" medications etanercept (Enbrel), infliximab (Remicade), anakinra (Kineret), and adalimumab (Humira).
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that is caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints. Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative arthritis. Among the over 100 different types of arthritis conditions, osteoarthritis is the most common. Osteoarthritis occurs more frequently as we age. Before age 45, osteoarthritis occurs more frequently in males. After age 55 years, it occurs more frequently in females. Osteoarthritis commonly affects the hands, feet, spine, and large weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees. Most cases of osteoarthritis have no known cause and are referred to as primary osteoarthritis. When the cause of the osteoarthritis is known, the condition is referred to as secondary osteoarthritis. Primary osteoarthritis is mostly related to aging. With aging, the water content of the cartilage increases and the protein makeup of cartilage degenerates. Repetitive use of the joints over the years irritates and inflames the cartilage, causing joint pain and swelling. Eventually, cartilage begins to degenerate by flaking or forming tiny crevasses. In advanced cases, there is a total loss of the cartilage cushion between the bones of the joints. Loss of cartilage cushion causes friction between the bones, leading to pain and limitation of joint mobility. Inflammation of the cartilage can also stimulate new bone outgrowths (spurs) to form around the joints. Osteoarthritis occasionally can be found in multiple members of the same family, implying an heredity (genetic) basis for this condition. Secondary osteoarthritis is caused by another disease or condition. Conditions that can lead to secondary osteoarthritis include obesity, repeated trauma or surgery to the joint structures, abnormal joints at birth (congenital abnormalities), gout, diabetes, and other hormone disorders. Aside from weight reduction and avoiding activities that exert excessive stress on the joint cartilage, there is no specific treatment to halt cartilage degeneration or to repair damaged cartilage in osteoarthritis. The goal of treatment in osteoarthritis is to reduce joint pain and inflammation while improving and maintaining joint function. Some patients with osteoarthritis have minimal or no pain, and may not need treatment. Others may benefit from conservative measures such as rest, exercise, weight reduction, physical and occupational therapy, and mechanical support devices. These measures are particularly important when large, weight-bearing joints are involved, such as the hips or knees. Resting sore joints decreases stress on the joints, and relieves pain and swelling. Patients are asked to simply decrease the intensity and/or frequency of the activities that consistently cause joint pain.
I add a link for both of these subjects

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Osteoarthritis


http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/
articles/article.aspx?articleId=321

Hope this helps
matador 89

I hope that you find a suitable treatment to ease the pain and make your life more enjoyable. Glad to have been of help
m.89 Report It

rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an immunolgical condition, where the body attacks itself. osteoarthritis (OA) is from age, injuries, overuse, or accidents like yours.
OA is treated with pain meds, injections into the joint and similar things, with really degenerated joints eventually being replaced.
RA is treated by first trying to get it into remission so the body stops attacking itself, and then dealing with the damage from the disease.
Hope that helps.
If you are this severe, get a specialist if you dont have one - a rheumatologist is who you need. They are on top of the latest treatments, and there are many, so that hopefully you dont have to suffer too much. A family doctor is just not equipped to treat this best.
Good luck.