Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are two serious medical conditions that can significantly impact patients with those conditions. When these conditions are just developing, it can be difficult to discern which one is occurring without a diagnosis from a trained professional. This leads many to question the main difference between osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Luckily, there are several ways to tell these conditions apart, though you should always consult a medical professional to validate your assumption. If you are worried that you may have either of these conditions, take a look at this guide, which can help you determine the differences between them.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, and it is a degenerative condition that slowly wears down the protective cartilage in the joints, which prevents one’s bones from grinding together. It is an inflammatory condition that impacts the tissues surrounding the bones, not the bones themselves. Anyone can develop osteoarthritis, regardless of their overall health. The condition is chronic, so after they develop the condition, patients with osteoarthritis will experience worsening symptoms over time.
Osteoarthritis cannot be cured. Nevertheless, there are many effective treatments that can help an individual manage this condition. Common treatments for osteoarthritis include:
- Exercise
- Medication
- Supportive apparatuses
- Hot-and-cold therapy
- Complementary therapy
- Surgery
Osteoarthritis can impact many different areas of the body. It will commonly affect:
- Knees
- Hips
- Neck
- Lower back
- Hands
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a bone condition that causes them to lose integrity over time. It causes one’s bones to become so brittle that they may break under very light friction, impact, or stress. Risk factors for osteoporosis include:
- Family history
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Excessive drinking
- Tobacco use
- Some extreme medical problems
- Estrogen deficiency
Over time, osteoporosis can begin to impact an individual’s posture, height, and overall quality of life. Osteoporosis tends to affect women more than men. Post-menopausal in particular women can be especially vulnerable to developing this disease.
The primary method of treatment for osteoporosis is medication. Medications commonly used in the treatment of osteoporosis include:
- Bisphosphonates
- Denosumab
- Bone-building medicines
- Hormone-related therapy
In addition to using medication, certain lifestyle changes can help patients slow the progression of or manage their osteoporosis. These lifestyle changes include:
- Avoiding falls
- Limiting alcohol consumption
- Do Not use tobacco products
- Avoid high-impact activities
- Engage in strength training
- Visit your doctor for frequent check-ups
What Is the Difference Between Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis
As stated above, osteoarthritis is a condition that impacts the cartilage in between the bones, while osteoporosis is a condition that impacts the bones themselves. The reason that the two conditions are often confused with one another is due to the similarity of their names, as well as the fact that some patients will, unfortunately, experience these conditions concurrently.
Despite how often they are mixed up and the potential overlap between them, the treatments and precautions for osteoporosis and osteoarthritis differ greatly. Your clinic may offer you synergistic therapies that can offer some relief for both of these conditions. This will be determined after your physician diagnoses the presence of either or both diseases in the patient, as well as their relative severity. From this point, a treatment and management plan can be made to attempt to accommodate the condition or conditions.
Managing Osteoarthritis and Osteoporosis
Both osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are chronic conditions that an individual will have to manage throughout their life. In order to function normally, an individual may need to make significant changes to their lifestyle to accommodate living with the disease.
Both conditions benefit from early detection and treatment. It is generally recommended that a patient seek medical attention as soon as they notice the development of symptoms indicative of either of these conditions. Catching these diseases early on can increase the likelihood that your treatment is effective.
Spinal Surgeon in LA
Dr. Yashar is a field-tested neurosurgeon and an expert in spine surgery. If you have questions regarding some symptoms you have been experiencing, schedule an appointment with Dr. Yashar to begin treatment.
