Rheumatoid Arthritis Questions
Answered by Michele M. Hooper, MD, University Hospitals Health Systems

Q. What is the difference between Rheumatoid Arthritis and "regular" arthritis?

I have been told I have Rheumatoid Arthritis in my back and arthritis in my fingers. Thank you

A. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis, which means that the cells lining the joint grow out of control (the synovial cells) and damage the joint.

It is also a systemic disease associated with non-joint complications like anemia, lung thickening and premature death.

Degenerative arthritis is a wearing away of the cartilage, without inflammation. The cartilage is the shock absorber so it is associated with pain when the joint is used.

Q. Does arthritis spread? In other words, will the arthritis in my hands wind up in other places?

A. If you have arthritis at one site, you are at increased risk for developing it in other joints.

The exception would be if it was caused by an injury to a single joint. Then it would not spread.

For more information about arthritis, contact the Arthritis Foundation at 216-831-7000, ext. 114 or, toll-free, at 800-245-2275, ext. 114.