Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of chronic joint pain, and affects over 23 million Americans.

• The definition of osteoarthritis is degeneration of joint cartilage tissue and the underlying bone. 
• The definition of osteoporosis is a medical condition that results in bones becoming brittle and/or fragile.

Are osteoarthritis and osteoporosis forms of arthritis?

Arthritis is defined as painful inflammation and joint stiffness.

• Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that involves both the underlying tissue and the underlying bone of a joint. 
• Osteoporosis is mainly a loss of bone tissue that is not limited to the joint areas.

The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is possible for one person to have both conditions.

Which one is more painful and worse, osteoarthritis or osteoporosis?

Both conditions may be mild, moderate or severe, but because of the high risk of bone fractures with osteoporosis, some doctors may consider osteoporosis, especially if it is severe, to be the “worse” disease because of a high risk for other fractures. However, “worse” may be seen differently by others, because osteoarthritis pain with joint destruction may be “worse” and more painful for a person over time. 

10 Differences in Symptoms and Signs of Osteoarthritis vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis

Osteoarthritis or OA, may not cause any symptoms or signs in a joint involved; however, when symptoms do occur, they can cause:

1. Joint pain
2. Joint warmth
3. Joint tenderness
4. Bony joint enlargement
5. Misalignment of involved joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis or RA, usually involves many joints and causes:

1. Joint pain
2. Joint warmth
3. Joint swelling,
4. Joint stiffness (particularly morning stiffness)
5. Joint tenderness

What are the differences in the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis vs. osteoporosis?

The signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

1. Pain in the joints like the hands, knee, hips, spine and/or neck
2. Stiffness in joints
3. Joint swelling, tenderness, bumps (bone spurs)
4. Joint deformity
5. Limping when walking
6. Crackle sounds when joint is moved

Osteoporosis is termed the “silent disease” because it can progress for years before it is diagnosed. After osteoporosis progresses, compression fractures and other fractures can lead to symptoms. Often a person with osteoporosis do not have symptoms until:

1. A bone fracture occurs 
2. Porous bones are detected by bone density tests or seen incidentally in imaging tests like X-rays or CT.
3. Height loss due to spinal bone compression fractures
4. Severe back pain
5. Change in posture
6. Difficulty and/or the inability to walk

What are the differences in the causes of osteoarthritis vs. osteoporosis?

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The main differences in the causes of these diseases are:

1. Osteoarthritis is mainly caused by overuse or “wear and tear” on the joints.
2. Osteoarthritis may be categorized by stages 0-4, with 0 represents a normal joint and 4 represents severe disease.
3. Osteoporosis is mainly caused by one or more underlying problems like calcium deficiency, vitamin D deficiency or hormonal changes.
4. Osteoporosis typically has T – scores between -1.0 or above (normal) to -2.5 or below (diagnostic of osteoporosis) in a diagnostic bone density test.