Other Conditions With Symptoms Similar to Rheumatoid Arthritis
Other Conditions With Symptoms Similar to Rheumatoid Arthritis
Joint pain and stiffness can be caused by health problems other than rheumatoid arthritis. These include:
Usually, a doctor will diagnose rheumatoid arthritis by evaluating your symptoms, asking about your past health, and doing blood tests to rule out other causes for your symptoms.
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerAnne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerNancy Ann Shadick, MD, MPH - Internal Medicine, Rheumatology
Other Conditions With Symptoms Similar to Rheumatoid Arthritis
Joint pain and stiffness can be caused by health problems other than rheumatoid arthritis. These include:
- Osteoarthritis. This is the most common form of arthritis.
- Gout and pseudogout.
- Lupus.
- Polymyalgia rheumatica.
- Inflammation of blood vessels in the body (vasculitis).
- Spondyloarthropathies. These include Reiter's syndrome (reactive arthritis), ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis.
- Bacterial arthritis.
- Fibromyalgia.
- Lyme disease.
- Viral diseases such as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).
- Torn cartilage in the joint.
Usually, a doctor will diagnose rheumatoid arthritis by evaluating your symptoms, asking about your past health, and doing blood tests to rule out other causes for your symptoms.
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerAnne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerNancy Ann Shadick, MD, MPH - Internal Medicine, Rheumatology