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Osteoarthritis is inflammation and loss of cartilage between bones leading to joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Osteoporosis is the loss of bone mass leading to weak bones that are more susceptible to fractures. Physical therapy can help improve deficits caused by both of these conditions.Written by Erica Gasmo,
B.Sc.(Kin), B.Sc.(P.T.) In the world of bone and joint health, there are several different types of “osteos” that a person may hear about. When being diagnosed with osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, osteopenia, etc, it can be confusing to know what the difference is, and the details of your condition. Though these diagnosis share a common root, there are major difference in the nature of these ailments. Osteoarthritis is an extremely common condition that involves inflammation, loss of cartilage and even damaged joints in between bones. Osteoarthritis is a result of wear and tear on the body. Over time, the nice, fluffy cartilage that exists between the joints of the body begins to deteriorate, resulting in less shock absorption through the joints, especially weight bearing joints. This can cause pain, swelling, and reduced movement. Knees that pop with every squat, a
shoulder that grinds when you reach overhead can both be a result of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis can usually be detected by a simple X-ray that can show any degenerative changes that may have occurred. Osteoporosis is when the bones become very weak and brittle. The body begins to lose bone and not make enough to sufficiently replace it. Reduced bone mass and porous bones can increase the
susceptibility to fractures. People with osteoporosis are more likely to experience compression fractures, which can be extremely painful. Risk factors for osteoporosis include: After women go through menopause, their bodies produce less estrogen—an important bone building hormone. This can
increase the risk for osteoporosis. Additionally, smoking and some medications like certain breast cancer drugs can increase the risk for osteoporosis. While fractures, including compression fractures can be detected on an X-ray, if your doctor suspects you have osteoporosis, they will most likely order a bone density scan to determine the extent of bone loss. A common misconception is that when faced with degenerative joints and osteoarthritis or weak bones with
osteoporosis, the best treatment plan is to limit activity. In reality, limiting activity not only does not help pain associated with osteoarthritis or osteoporosis, it can actually make these conditions much worse. Physical activity can help keep muscles strong to place less stress on the bones and help promote bone remodelling. A physician can work with you and may prescribe anti-inflammatories for pain and medication to help prevent bone loss for osteoporosis. Physical therapy can be a
beneficial tool in combating both osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Physical therapists are trained movement specialists who can not only help strengthen weak muscles but analyze movement patterns to identify body mechanic deficits that increase stress on bones and joints. Do not allow pain from osteoarthritis or osteoporosis to keep you down any longer. Our university trained therapists offer
timely appointments to help you combat these conditions, decrease your pain, and improve your overall function. Give Venture Rehab a call today to see how we can get you back to the things you enjoy. Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis (OA) are different conditions with similar-sounding names. While they share some features, they have more differences than similarities. Their similar names can be confusing. Both words start with osteo, the medical prefix for “bone.” The word porosis means “porous,” and arthritis means “joint inflammation.” This article covers the basics of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, how they’re different, and what they have in common.  OsteoporosisOsteoporosis makes you lose bone tissue, which leaves your bones weaker and prone to breaking. An estimated 10 million Americans have osteoporosis and more than 40 million are at risk due to low bone mass. Osteoporosis is a silent disease. It can progress for many years without symptoms and often isn’t discovered until you break a bone. SymptomsIf it’s not treated, this condition can lead to fractures, even from what seems like a small bump. Fractures may:
Diagnosis and treatment can help you avoid these symptoms. DiagnosisScreening for osteoporosis is recommended for women 65 years and older, and for men or for younger women at increased risk. If your healthcare provider suspects osteoporosis because of a fracture, they may order a bone mineral density (BMD) test to diagnose it. Risk FactorsRisk factors for developing osteoporosis include:
Because you can’t control many of these, focus on the risk factors you can control, such as getting enough calcium and exercise. Treatment and PreventionOsteoporosis can’t be cured, but several drugs can prevent and treat it. You can lower your risk and manage symptoms with:
OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease. It often affects:
OA generally develops in joints due to heavy use and/or injuries, often from sports or physically intensive jobs. Carrying excess body weight can also contribute to its development. SymptomsWhen the cartilage that provides cushioning for the bones inside your joints wears away, OA can develop. With the cushion gone, your bones grind against each other when you move. Symptoms include:
The first OA symptom you may notice is pain that gets worse after exercise or first thing in the morning. DiagnosisOA is often diagnosed after you go to a healthcare provider for pain in one or more joints. Diagnostic steps include:
You might also need tests to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms. These may
include blood tests and possibly joint aspiration (removing and testing joint fluid). Risk FactorsFactors that make you more likely to develop OA include:
Getting treatment for injuries, protecting your joints during work and sports, and leading a generally healthy lifestyle can help lower your risk. Treatment and PreventionSeveral medications are available for treating pain from OA, including:
Topical pain relievers (applied to the skin) are sometimes used. Exercise, weight loss, stress management, and a healthy diet are considered treatments and prevention methods for OA. Most Common Joint DisorderOA is extremely common in the U.S. Knee OA alone affects more than 32 million Americans. ComparisonsDespite their many differences, it is possible to have both of these conditions. However, that doesn’t happen very often. Osteoporosis and OA do have a few things in common. That includes pain (when osteoporosis is advanced), the need for pain management, and the benefits of exercise. Pain and Pain ReliefBoth osteoporosis and OA can cause pain. People with either disease may need to use pain relief strategies and pain medicines.
ExercisePeople with either condition may people benefit from arthritis-friendly exercise programs. These often include physical therapy. In general, you should focus on stretching, strengthening, posture, and range of motion exercises. Examples are:
With either condition, check with your healthcare provider about what types of exercise are safe for you. Using Caution With MovementsBoth conditions may mean that you have some limitations in what you can safely do. If you have osteoporosis, you shouldn’t:
If you have OA, you may need to compensate for limited movement in some joints. Osteoporosis is about four times more common in women than men. OA is also more common in women, especially after age 50. SummaryOsteoporosis and osteoarthritis sound similar but are quite different. Osteoporosis involves bone loss that can lead to fractures while OA causes joint inflammation, pain, and stiffness. These conditions are different in the way they develop, their symptoms, and how they’re diagnosed and treated. Low-impact exercise can help with both conditions, but it must be the right type of exercise for your specific needs. Make sure you get guidance from a therapist before you embark on an exercise program. Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
By Carol Eustice Thanks for your feedback! How do you know if you have arthritis or osteoporosis?What's the Difference Between Arthritis and Osteoporosis? Arthritis and osteoporosis are both chronic, long-term conditions that affect your bones. Arthritis causes swelling, inflammation, and pain in your joints. Osteoporosis develops as a result of decreased bone mass and density, and can lead to fractures.
Is osteoporosis considered arthritis?Bone loss happens without any warning signs. Therefore, osteoporosis is called a “silent disease.” Osteoporosis is different from osteoarthritis, a form of arthritis in which joint cartilage, the rubbery material that covers the ends of bones, wears away.
What are 5 symptoms of osteoporosis?Kuchynski says, include:. Fragility-related fractures. These occur when even mild impact causes a fracture of the wrist, back, hip or other bones.. Height loss. More than two inches in height can be lost over time.. Receding gums. ... . A curved, stooped shape to the spine. ... . Lower back pain.. Which is more serious osteoarthritis or osteoporosis?Both conditions may be mild, moderate or severe, but because of the high risk of bone fractures with osteoporosis, some doctors may consider osteoporosis, especially if it is severe, to be the "worse" disease because of a high risk for other fractures.
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Whats the difference between osteoporosis and arthritis
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