Can OA flare like RA?

In Sept. last (2018), I had what I can only describe as a “flare” of the OA in my hands. My fingers got stiff, my hands ached like crazy, and I felt as if I could do nothing for myself- not cook, not feed myself, not go up and down the stairs, not take the trash bins out. This lasted for maybe 4 days, then resolved. I saw a rheumatologist who ran a whole series of tests, none of which were sufficient to dx RA. I started wearing spica thumb splints I had from years before when I was doing lots of computer mouse work. Since I’ve been wearing the splints (often at night with a rt arm brace), I haven’t had any problems with my hands.
What did I experience? Does hand and wrist OA flare like RA?

Susie,
Thx for your response. No one, not even my PCP, told me that a severe OA flare was possible. I’m pretty sure now that that was the problem.
Best,
Pleyel