Osteoarthritis vs. Osteoporosis

Osteoarthritis or Osteoporosis?
Learn the Differences Between These Two Confusing Conditions
by Jan Revella, R.N.

Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis have become the dreaded "O" words in the field of orthopaedics. While both conditions can be debilitating, and both primarily affect people in their later years, you need to understand that these are two very distinct disease processes. Knowing the difference between osteoarthritis and osteoporosis can help you know what to do to feel better and to have better control over both conditions. This knowledge can be a powerful tool to use to make sure you receive timely and appropriate treatment to prevent or slow the progression of these disorders.

Osteoarthritis

   Osteoarthritis is the most common of the more than 100 different forms of arthritis. Also called "degenerative arthritis" or "wear-and-tear arthritis," osteoarthritis appears as a person ages. As the body grows older, the cartilage between bones in our joints softens and deteriorates. Unfortunately, the body cannot regenerate cartilage. Gradually the joint spaces continue to narrow, which also causes the ligaments supporting the joint to loosen up. Eventually, the cartilage can virtually disappear, allowing the bones in the joint to rub together. This causes instability and pain. As the deterioration continues, the joint can become mechanically imbalanced, which in turn causes additional pain and instability.

  Joints which have been frequently used (and sometimes abused) over the years, such as the spine, hips, knees and hands, will most likely develop osteoarthritis. The primary sign of osteoarthritis is pain. In some ways, pain can be helpful because it's a signal telling you to take it easy for a while and to seek medical attention if symptoms don't subside.

  Effective management of osteoarthritis means having an understanding of the disease process, and being willing to undertake self-management in partnership with your doctor's recommended treatment plan.

  Once the diagnosis of osteoarthritis is confirmed through history-taking, physical examination and x-rays, your doctor will prescribe a treatment program designed especially for you, possibly beginning with physical therapy to promote maximum joint mobility and preserve the range of motion you have left. Other elements of an osteoarthritis treatment program may include instruction in body mechanics, an ongoing home exercise program so you can continue your joint exercises, joint protection and energy conservation techniques, and appropriate medication to relieve joint irritation and swelling.

  Remember: Just taking a pill will not help you live effectively with osteoarthritis, because medication doesn't slow the progress of the disease. Getting up from a chair won't be any easier unless you work to regain the function loss caused by arthritis. Building muscle is critical to independence and long-term health.

Osteoporosis

   Osteoporosis, which literally means "porous bone," is caused by an imbalance between the rates of bone formation and bone breakdown. Like osteoarthritis, this condition is also prevalent among older people, but can occur at any age. It especially affects postmenopausal women.

  Like all tissues in the body, bone is continually being replenished. An imbalance occurs when old bone cells are being absorbed into the body faster than new bone cells are being made. In women, this imbalance is accelerated by the loss of estrogen after menopause. Inadequate calcium intake in your daily diet, no matter what your age or sex, can adversely affect your bones, and a sedentary lifestyle compounds the problem by not giving bones the stress they need through physical activity.

  Osteoporosis can be a silent disease for years. You may not experience any pain until a fracture occurs or deformities develop. In fact, it's common not to know you have osteoporosis until you notice a deformity such as a dowager's hump, the hump seen in some older people when their upper back slumps forward. By then, it's most likely too late for any preventive action.

  Osteoporosis is diagnosed through history-taking and physical examination, combined with special x-rays called bone densitometry to measure your bone mass. Routine x-rays will not detect osteoporosis until you've already lost 30 to 50 percent of your bone mass.

  Fortunately, today there are several effective medications now available to help people with osteoporosis.

  To protect yourself against osteoporosis, it's important to make the right choices at every different stage in your life. By reducing your risk factors you may be able to prevent osteoporosis; and, if you already have it, you may be able to slow its progression and live with it comfortably and safely.

Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis:
Prevention and Treatment Tips

Osteoarthritis

Work with your doctor to develop a treatment program that includes:

Physical therapy to promote maximum joint mobility and preserve range of motion
A home exercise program that continues what you learned in physical therapy and includes aerobic, flexibility and strengthening exercises
Joint protection and energy conservation
Appropriate medication for pain or inflammation

Remember: You cannot effectively treat osteoarthritis with medication alone. Medication may help the symptoms, but does not slow the progression of disease and joint damage.

Osteoporosis

  Effective osteoporosis treatment takes a four-pronged approach:

  Calcium--Maintain bone mass while you still have it! Be sure to get enough calcium through a balanced diet, with extra calcium supplements, if needed.

  Hormone Replacement Therapy--Postmenopausal women should ask their doctor about the newer, safer forms of hormone replacement therapy.

  Exercise--Bones become thicker or thinner in response to use. Get plenty of weight-bearing exercise, such as walking and weight training.

  Medication--If you have severe osteoporosis, ask your doctor about the prescription medications that are available, such as Actonel, Fosamax and Miacalcin.

About the author:
Jan Revella, R.N., Arthritis Nurse Specialist, is founder and director of Arthritis Education by Professionals, Inc., based in Phoenix, Arizona She is among the most prominent speakers and educators on the subject of arthritis in the United States. Her mission is to empower people with arthritis to use knowledge as power when making decisions about their personal healthcare. Arthritis Education by Professionals, Inc. provides educational programs and services to people with arthritis.