Great question — and it's actually one that even rheumatologists find tricky! The honest answer is: it could be either, or both.
RA commonly affects the knees, even though it often starts in smaller joints like the hands and feet. Over time, the inflammation from RA can damage the knee's cartilage, ligaments, and bone Show Full Answer
Great question — and it's actually one that even rheumatologists find tricky! The honest answer is: it could be either, or both.
RA commonly affects the knees, even though it often starts in smaller joints like the hands and feet. Over time, the inflammation from RA can damage the knee's cartilage, ligaments, and bone, eventually leading to the need for a replacement. Here's how the two conditions differ in the knees:
- RA in the knee — typically affects both knees symmetrically, with pain and stiffness worse in the morning, and joints that feel hot, swollen, and inflamed
- OA in the knee — usually affects one side, with sharp pain that worsens later in the day after activity, caused by cartilage wearing away over time
It's also very common for people with RA to develop both conditions in the knees at the same time, which can make it hard to tell them apart. The best way to know for sure is to ask your rheumatologist to clarify the specific cause driving the need for your second replacement. That way, managing the underlying condition — whether RA, or a combination — can be part of your recovery plan.
August 27
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