Which symptom differentiates rheumatoid arthritis from osteoarthritis?

Morning stiffness lasting for hours is a key symptom that differentiates rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from osteoarthritis (OA). In RA, patients often experience significant stiffness upon waking that can last for an extended period, sometimes several hours, before improving with movement throughout the day. This prolonged morning stiffness is a hallmark of inflammatory conditions like RA.

In contrast, osteoarthritis typically presents with stiffness that lasts for a shorter duration, often less than 30 minutes after periods of inactivity. Therefore, the longer duration of morning stiffness in RA serves as a distinguishing characteristic. Understanding this symptom helps healthcare providers differentiate between these two types of arthritis, guiding appropriate diagnosis and management strategies for patients.