Arthritis is not a single disease but a term that refers to a group of over 100 different types of arthritis and related conditions. The two most similar forms are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that results from the wear and tear of cartilage, leading to bone-on-bone friction, pain, and stiffness. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing inflammation, pain, and eventual joint damage.
