Many people confuse osteoporosis with osteoarthritis, which is the most common form of arthritis. Although osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are two different medical conditions with little in common, the similarity of their names causes great confusion. These conditions develop differently, have different symptoms, are diagnosed differently, and are treated differently.

Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become weak and brittle, making them more prone to fracture. It is known as a silent disease because it can progress undetected for many years without symptoms until a fracture occurs. It can result in a loss of height, severe back pain, and change in one’s posture.

As for osteoarthritis, we mean the condition that occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time. Although osteoarthritis can damage any joint, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips and spine.

Several types of therapies depending on your case

• Physical therapy, that is provided by a physical therapist (or physiotherapist) who promotes, maintains, or restores health through physical examination, patient education, physical intervention, rehabilitation, disease prevention and health promotion. Ultimately, the therapy is meant to strengthen the muscles around your joint, increase your flexibility and reduce pain.
• Occupational therapy, where your therapist can help you discover ways to do everyday tasks without putting extra stress on your already painful joint.

Moreover, simple bodyweight exercises help reinforce bone strength and reduce the risk of arthritis. Watch more in this video.

Always check with your doctor to determine whether a certain exercise is safe for your specific medical situation. And if you are a Nextcare member, you can access a doctor via MyNextcare app through this link.