The Difference Between Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis vs. Osteoporosis: What’s the Difference—and Why You Can Have Both

Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are like the evil twins of bone-related aging concerns. At CasaVive, we’ve heard all the myths: “I can’t have that, I’m too young,” “You can’t have both,” and the classic, “Exercise isn’t safe if you have osteoarthritis or osteoporosis!”

Let’s unpack what these two conditions really are, clear up common misconceptions, and explore how holistic, whole-body strategies—like movement coaching and nutrition counselling—can help support your bones as you age.

What Exactly Are These Two Diseases?

As we age, some wear and tear in our joints is expected. But when degeneration leads to pain, inflammation, or reduced mobility, we move into osteoarthritis territory. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the breakdown of cartilage and bone within a joint. Common symptoms include joint pain, swelling, tenderness, reduced range of motion, and that crunchy/grindy sensation known as crepitus. Inflammation may or may not be present.

Osteoporosis (OP), on the other hand, is about the bones themselves becoming more porous and brittle. Think of healthy bone like a dense sponge—strong but with some flexibility. With osteoporosis, those pores widen, the structure weakens, and bones are more prone to fractures. Diagnosis is made based on a bone density scan and a “T-score” that compares your bone density to average values.

How Does Osteoarthritis Happen?

OA can be influenced by a combination of biomechanics and lifestyle—two things we focus on in our movement coaching and exercise for aging bodies programs here in North York.

Let’s start with biomechanics:

Our bodies are designed for efficient movement. But if we consistently move in ways that misalign our joints—whether that’s squatting with the knees caving in, walking with collapsed arches, or doing repetitive work with poor technique—it can create uneven wear on cartilage and bone.

Here's an example: A dedicated baker who kneads dough using mostly their thumbs may see faster degeneration in the thumb joints. A lifter who squats weekly with poor alignment can overload certain parts of the knee joint. Add enough time, load, or repetition, and voila—OA risk increases.

Even with perfect form, repetitive high loads without proper recovery (think: factory workers, elite athletes) can increase OA risk. Add in previous joint injuries, like sprains or fractures, and the odds go up even more.\

Lifestyle risk factors for OA include inactivity, excess body weight, aging, and low vitamin D status. In fact, regular movement is essential to joint health—motion helps circulate synovial fluid, which delivers nutrients and removes waste from cartilage.

How Does Osteoporosis Happen?

Bone is dynamic tissue—it’s constantly being broken down and rebuilt. Osteoporosis happens when bone breakdown outpaces rebuild, leading to lower bone mass.

Key risk factors include:

• Low levels of calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, and phosphorus

• Poor nutrient absorption (e.g. due to IBS, celiac, liver disease)

• Chronic illnesses (diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.)

• Hormonal changes during menopause (another key area we address in our women’s health services)

• Lifestyle factors like smoking, being underweight or obese, physical inactivity, and long-term use of corticosteroids

And yes, athletes who are undernourished (RED-S) or who train extensively in endurance sports are also at risk, particularly if their nutrition and supplement intake isn’t supporting their output.

What Can We Do About It?

Osteoarthritis Management

OA doesn’t mean giving up your favorite activities. In fact, movement therapy and lifestyle coaching are essential tools in managing symptoms and slowing degeneration.

Strategies include:

• Oral or topical pain relief

• Supplements like curcumin or glucosamine

• Bracing or compression sleeves to reduce load on painful joints

• Manual therapy

• Smart activity modifications (e.g. breaking up long walks, reducing high-impact movements)

And yes, exercise is a major player. Movement improves circulation of joint fluid, strengthens muscles around joints, and can reduce pain when done intentionally and with support—something we specialize in at our North York wellness studio.

Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment

OP doesn’t usually cause pain—but it does increase fracture risk. And that fear of falling or breaking a bone can seriously limit someone’s confidence and mobility.

Women over 65 and men over 70 should get regular bone density screenings, or earlier if risk factors are present. Treatment may include medication, lifestyle changes, and most importantly—resistance training. Studies show that strength and power training can actually help rebuild bone density, especially when combined with nutritional support.

Different Conditions, Different Care Plans

Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are two separate conditions, but they’re both incredibly common—and often misunderstood. Education is the first step. The second? Building a team and a plan.

At CasaVive, we take a holistic approach to health: offering personalized support through movement, nutrition, lifestyle education, and community connection. Whether you’re navigating bone health concerns or looking for a proactive wellness plan, we’re here to support you every step (and squat) of the way.

Stay tuned for our next post where we dive into how exactly we use movement and resistance training to support both OA and OP. Got questions we didn’t answer? Drop them in the comments below!