Of all the forms of arthritis that affect the knee, two forms are more common, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the protective cartilage of the articular surfaces deteriorates with the passage of time.

Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease or osteoarthrosis, is the most common form of arthritis and is the main cause of pain and disability among older people.

They can cause similar symptoms, but there are some key differences. The important thing is to recognize the SYMPTOMS and go to the physician when they appear, namely:

In OSTEORTHRITIS the pain begins slowly, at first only in the morning or after a period of inactivity. The knees may ach when climbing stairs or when lifting something up . They can also hurt during a walk or during prolonged sitting on the chair. Knee pain that wakes you up from sleep can be a symptom of osteoarthritis.

In RHEUMATOID POLYARTHRITIS the symptoms often begin in the smaller joints. They are also more likely to be symmetrical, affecting both parts of the body.

IN OSTEOARTHRITIS, symptoms can progress rapidly or develop over several years, depending on each person. They can get worse and then remain stable for a long time and vary depending on the days. The factors that cause their worsening are cold weather, stress and excessive activity. IN RHEUMATOID POLYARTHRITIS the symptoms usually appear over several weeks, but they can worsen within a few days.

IN OSTEOARTHRITIS, the knee joint swells due to the formation of bone spurs but also due to the accumulation of additional fluid in the joint. Swelling may be visible in the morning upon waking up. IN RHEUMATOID POLYARTHRITIS, the swelling of the knee joint is frequent, being an inflammatory disease and is accompanied by other additional symptoms such as fever, fatigue and a feeling of malaise. This is due to the fact that Rheumatoid Polyarthritis is a systemic disease, which means that it affects the entire body, while Osteoarthritis has a direct impact only on the knee joint.

Over time, damage to the joint can cause instability of the knee. IN OSTEOARTHRITIS, bone spurs develop as the cartilage erodes and the bones rub against each other. Thus, a bumpy surface is produced that can cause the joint to block, the bending or straightening of the knee being difficult. RHEUMATOID POLYARTHRITIS causes tendon injuries that affect the stability of the knee over time

When bending and straightening the knee, you can hear cracking. This happens when some of the articular cartilage is lost, cartilage that normally helps the movement to be smoother. When cartilage is damaged, hard articular surfaces and bone spurs develop. While the joint moves, the bones rub against each other. Damage to the articular cartilage is a common symptom OF OSTEOARTHRITIS and RHEUMATOID POLYARTHRITIS
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In OSTEOARTHRITIS, bone and joint cartilage changes can make it difficult to move for daily activities. IN RHEUMATOID POLYARTHRITIS, the mobility of the knee joint is limited due to joint damage. People who suffer from Rheumatoid Polyarthritis hardly bend down by flexing (bending) the knees.

The appearance of the knee can change as the damage in the joint progresses, with knee deformities ranging from barely noticeable to severe and debilitating. IN OSTEOARTHRITIS, the muscles around the knee may become weakened (without tonus), resulting in a submerged appearance of the knee or they may slide towards the inside or outside of the lower limb.

IN RHEUMATOID POLYARTHRITIS, persistent inflammation can lead to permanent damage to cartilage and tendons. This can affect the shape and appearance of the knee.