When it comes to conditions affecting your bones and joints, many people confuse osteoporosis and certain types of arthritis including osteoarthritis. Although there are some similarities between these conditions, there are also many important differences.
Osteoporosis
means 'porous bones' and is a condition in which the bones become
weak and more prone to fracture due to a loss of bone density. Almost
1 in 10 Australians over the age of 50 years has osteoporosis (or
osteopenia where bone density is low but not low enough to be
classified as osteoporosis), with the condition being more prevalent
in women than men. Osteoporosis can result is chronic pain, loss of
independence and prolonged or permanent disability.
Arthritis
Arthritis
is the term used for a group of conditions that affect the joints and
surrounding tissues, causing pain, inflammation and damage to the
joints. Arthritis is the major cause of chronic pain and disability
in Australia with an estimated 3.85 million Australians affected.
There are many different types of arthritis, the main two being osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Similarities
between osteoporosis and arthritis
Much
of the confusion between these two conditions is due to the
similarity of their names – osteoporosis and osteoarthritis (by far
the most common type of arthritis). It is true that osteoporosis and
arthritis do share many coping strategies for the management of the
disease. For example, many people with arthritis or osteoporosis
benefit from exercise programs that emphasise a range of motion,
stretching, strengthening and posture such as swimming, tai-chi and
low-stress yoga. Physical therapy and rehabilitation may also be of
benefit to some people. However, it is important that any exercise
program is discussed with your doctor first to ensure your safety as
your condition will affect your ability and you may need to
compensate for certain movements.
Pain
management strategies are also often similar where required, as is
often the case for people suffering from arthritis, although less so
for people with osteoporosis other than when in recovery from a
fracture.
Other
than these similarities in coping with and managing your disease,
osteoporosis and arthritis are very different conditions.
Differences
between osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Despite
the similarity in name, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are
completely different conditions in terms of development, symptoms,
diagnosis and treatment.
Even
within arthritis, both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are
very different diseases. They may share some similar characteristics,
but each has different symptoms and requires different treatment,
thus an accurate diagnosis is essential. The primary difference
between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is the cause of the
joint symptoms. Joint damage in osteoarthritis is a result of
mechanical wear and tear that breaks down the cartilage between the
joints, causing the bone ends to rub together. Rheumatoid arthritis
on the other hand is an autoimmune disease where the body's own
immune system attacks the tissue lining the joints. Both result in
inflammation, pain and swelling of the joint.
Characteristic
|
Osteoporosis
|
Osteoarthritis
|
Rheumatoid
arthritis
|
Characteristic
of disease
|
Loss of bone
density causing weak and brittle bones
|
Chronic joint
disorder of the cartilage
|
Autoimmune
disease that attacks the tissue lining the joint
|
Age of onset
|
Usually later in
life
|
Usually later in
life
|
At any time in
life
|
Speed on
onset
|
Over years
|
Over years
|
Weeks to months
|
Who is
affected?
|
1 in 10
Australians over 50 years of age
|
1 in 11
Australians
|
2 in 100
Australians
|
Affect on
joints
|
N/A
|
Pain and
stiffness, usually located in one set of joints on one side of the
body, although symptoms may spread
|
Pain, swelling
and stiffness affecting joints symmetrically (on both sides of the
body)
|
Affect on
bones
|
Loss of bone
density causes bones to become weak and brittle and prone to
fractures.
|
Bone ends
rubbing against one another may result in bone projections known
as bone spurs (osteophytes)
|
N/A
|
Systemic
symptoms
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Fatigue and
general feeling of being unwell
|
Long-term
impact
|
Increased risk
to fractures and fracture cascade. Chronic pain, inability to
walk, change in posture, disability, loss of independence.
|
Difficulty in
performing everyday activities
|
Bone erosion,
irreversible joint damage and permanent disability.
|
Diagnosis
|
May progress
undetected for years until a fracture occurs. Diagnosed using a
bone mineral density scan.
|
Physical
examination, x-rays, blood tests (to rule out other types of
arthritis)
|
Physical
examination, blood tests, x-rays
|
Treatment
|
Lifestyle
changes including fall and fracture avoidance, increase in calcium
and vitamin D levels, regular exercise. Medications to promote
bone formation and prevent bone degradation.
|
Analgesics,
NSAIDs, Exercise and physical therapy, joint replacement therapy
|
Exercise and
physical therapy, NSAIDs, Corticosteroids, DMARDs
|
Useful
Resources
AIHW
http://www.aihw.gov.au/arthritis-and-musculoskeletal-conditions/
Osteoporosis
Australia
Artritis
WA
https://www.arthritiswa.org.au/
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