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.Osteoarthritis
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Get Up and Get Moving
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.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis 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.
Symptoms
If it’s not treated, this condition can lead to fractures, even from what seems like a small bump.
Fractures may:
- Cause pain
- Impair your ability to walk
- Change your posture
- Make you shorter
Diagnosis and treatment can help you avoid these symptoms.
Diagnosis
Screening 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 Factors
Risk factors for developing osteoporosis include:
- Being thin or small-framed
- Family history of osteoporosis
- Early menopause or being postmenopausal
- Lack of regular menstrual periods
- Prolonged use of certain drugs, such as prednisone
- Inadequate calcium in your diet
- Being physically inactive
- Smoking
- Heavy alcohol use
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 Prevention
Osteoporosis can’t be cured, but several drugs can prevent and treat it.
You can lower your risk and manage symptoms with:
- A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
- Regular weight-bearing exercise
- A healthy lifestyle
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease.
It often affects:
- Hips
- Knees
- Neck
- Lower back
- Small joints of the hands
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.
Symptoms
When 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:
- Less joint flexibility
- Bone spurs
- Joint inflammation
The first OA symptom you may notice is pain that gets worse after exercise or first thing in the morning.
Diagnosis
OA is often diagnosed after you go to a healthcare provider for pain in one or more joints.
Diagnostic steps include:
- A physical exam
- X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
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 Factors
Factors that make you more likely to develop OA include:
- Getting older, especially once you’re over 50
- Injuring or overusing joints
- Obesity
- Musculoskeletal problems
- Weak muscles
- A family history of OA
- Being female
Getting treatment for injuries, protecting your joints during work and sports, and leading a generally healthy lifestyle can help lower your risk.
Treatment and Prevention
Several medications are available for treating pain from OA, including:
- Pain relievers: Tylenol (acetaminophen), Vicodin (hydrocodone/acetaminophen), Ultram (tramadol)
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Advil/Motrin (ibuprofen),
Aleve (naproxen), Celebrex (celecoxib)
- Corticosteroids: Injectable forms
- Neurological drugs: Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Lyrica (pregabalin) affect how your brain perceives and processes pain signals
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 Disorder
OA is extremely common in the U.S. Knee OA alone affects more than 32 million Americans.
Comparisons
Despite 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 Relief
Both osteoporosis and OA can cause pain. People with either disease may need to use pain relief strategies and pain medicines.
- Pain is a primary symptom of osteoarthritis, and it affects the specific joints.
- Early on, osteoporosis isn’t painful. But broken bones cause a lot of pain, which can be temporary or chronic. Multiple or frequent spinal fractures can lead to severe, persistent pain.
Exercise
People 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:
- Low-impact aerobics
- Walking
- Swimming and water exercise
- Tai Chi
- Yoga
With either condition, check with your healthcare provider about what types of exercise are safe for you.
Using Caution With Movements
Both conditions may mean that you have some limitations in what you can safely do.
If you have osteoporosis, you shouldn’t:
- Bend forward from the waist
- Twist your spine
- Lift heavy objects
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.
Summary
Osteoporosis 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.
Wright NC, Looker AC, Saag KG, et al. The recent prevalence of osteoporosis and low bone mass in the United States based on bone mineral density at the femoral neck or lumbar spine. J Bone Miner Res. 2014;29(11):2520-2526. doi:10.1002/jbmr.2269
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Osteoporosis overview.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Osteoporosis to prevent fractures: screening.
Sullivan SD, Lehman A, Nathan NK, Thomson CA, Howard BV. Age of menopause and fracture risk in postmenopausal women randomized to calcium + vitamin D, hormone therapy, or the combination: results from the Women’s Health Initiative Clinical Trials. Menopause. 2017;24(4):371-378. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000000775
Arthritis Foundation. Osteoarthritis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Osteoarthritis (OA).
Sarafrazi N, Wambogo EA, Shepherd JA. Osteoporosis or low bone mass in older adults: United States, 2017-2018. NCHS Data Brief. 2021;(405). doi:10.15620/cdc:103477
By Carol Eustice
Carol Eustice is a writer covering arthritis and chronic illness, who herself has been diagnosed with both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
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