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 painImpair your ability to walkChange your postureMake 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-framedFamily history of osteoporosisEarly menopause or being postmenopausalLack of regular menstrual periodsProlonged use of certain drugs, such as prednisoneInadequate calcium in your dietBeing physically inactiveSmokingHeavy 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 DRegular weight-bearing exerciseA healthy lifestyle
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease.
It often affects:
HipsKneesNeckLower backSmall 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 examX-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 50Injuring or overusing jointsObesityMusculoskeletal problemsWeak musclesA family history of OABeing 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.
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 waistTwist your spineLift heavy objects
If you have OA, you may need to compensate for limited movement in some joints.
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.
