May is an important month for musculoskeletal health: it’s Osteoporosis & Arthritis Awareness Month, a time to spotlight two common conditions that affection millions of Americans, especially as they age.

If you are among the millions living with arthritis or osteoporosis, you are not alone. While these are different conditions, both can have a significant impact on your musculoskeletal health. This month, we’re raising awareness and sharing tips to help you manage symptoms and support your musculoskeletal health.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a broad term for over 100 different diseases and conditions that affect the joints and surrounding tissues. It typically causes inflammation, leading to symptoms like:

  • Stiffness
  • Joint pain
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Reduced range of motion

Unfortunately, these symptoms often worsen with age or overuse. The two most common types of arthritis are: 

  • Osteoarthritis, the most common form, is caused by wear-and-tear damage to cartilage over time or from an injury.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints, causing painful inflammation.

Risk Factors for Arthritis

Some people are more likely to develop arthritis than others. Common risk factors include:  

  • Advanced age
  • Genetics
  • Gender
  • Weight
  • Previous joint injury  
  • Arthritis Screening and Diagnosis  

Recognizing the early signs of arthritis is an important step toward managing the condition and maintaining your quality of life. If you notice stiffness, joint swelling, or other changes, talk with your healthcare provider about your symptoms as soon as possible. Oftentimes, people wait until the pain is severe, debilitating, or leads to falls before seeking help.  Acting early can give you access to more treatment options and help slow the progression of symptoms.

During an arthritis screening or diagnostic exam, your provider will review your symptoms and medical history, perform a physical examination, and may order imaging tests — including x-rays, computerized tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or an ultrasound — to assess joint damage. Blood tests are sometimes used to help diagnose specific types of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis. A thorough evaluation helps determine the type and severity of the condition, so you can work with your provider to create a treatment plan that fits your needs.

Managing Arthritis

Getting diagnosed with arthritis can feel discouraging, especially when there is no cure. However, many live a full and active life with arthritis by managing their symptoms. It’s important to stay active to help reduce your pain, even if you don’t feel like moving your body.

Management may not be one-size-fits-all. Talk with your healthcare provider about your treatment options. They may suggest:

  • Medications, such as anti-inflammatories or pain relievers that can help slow progression of arthritis and improve pain.
  • Physical therapy, including regular, targeted exercises, can strengthen the muscles around your joints to help improve mobility.
  • Steroid injections or joint replacement surgery may be considered when other treatment options are exhausted.

In addition to medical interventions, there are things you can do to live a healthier lifestyle that may prove effective for your arthritis pain:

  • Stay active with gentle stretches and low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, cycling, and yoga.
  • Follow an anti-inflammatory diet, focusing on whole foods and limiting processed foods.
  • Manage stress, which can contribute to flare ups.
  • Use heat and cold therapy to ease stiffness and discomfort.
  • Track your triggers, like weather changes, specific foods, or activities that seem to worsen your symptoms.

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a progressive disease that weakens bones, making them more likely to fracture or break. There are typically no symptoms of osteoporosis until the bones have been weakened enough to cause bone breaks, back pain, loss of height, or poor posture. 

Preventive Measures for Osteoporosis  

While bone deterioration is more common in older adults, prevention actually starts much earlier in life. Your bones develop throughout childhood and adolescence, and the amount of bone mass you build during these years plays a major role in your skeletal health later in life.   

In fact, most people reach their peak bone mass between the ages of 25 and 30, and by age 40 bone mass naturally begins to decline. The stronger your bones are during their peak, the more support you have as you age.  

Building strong bones early — and maintaining them over time — starts with proper nutrition. Calcium and Vitamin D are especially important and can be found in many foods or taken as supplements if needed.

Exercise also plays a key role. Weight-bearing activities help strengthen bones and preserve bone density.  

Speak to your provider before taking supplements or beginning a new exercise routine to find the approach that’s right for you.

Risk Factors for Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis can affect anyone, but some risk factors include: 

  • Being a woman, especially after menopause
  • Having a smaller frame  
  • Race, White or Asian women are more likely to develop osteoporosis
  • Family history of osteoporosis
  • Poor diet low in calcium and Vitamin D or restricted food intake
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Smoking
  • Eating disorders

Osteoporosis Screening and Diagnosis

Osteoporosis often progresses without symptoms, which makes screening especially important. Women over age 65 — and women with risk factors like early menopause, recent fractures, certain medications (such as long-term steroid use), or a family history of osteoporosis — should talk to their provider about getting screened.

Your provider may begin with a physical exam to check for signs such as height loss, changes in posture, balance or gait issues, and decreased muscle strength. To measure bone health more precisely, they may order a bone mineral density (BMD) test, most commonly a DXA scan (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), which uses low-level X-rays to assess bone strength in areas like the spine and hips. 

BMD testing can help:

  • Diagnose osteoporosis
  • Detect low bone density before it becomes osteoporosis
  • Predict your risk of future fractures
  • Monitor how well treatment is working

Bone density tests are quick and painless, with no major preparation required. Your provider will give you a preparation sheet with things to avoid before your test and what to expect.

Managing Osteoporosis

There is no cure for osteoporosis, but it can be managed with the following options. Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider for personalized recommendations:

  • Calcium and Vitamin D supplements. These nutrients are essential for bone health, as calcium helps build bone mass and Vitamin D aids in calcium absorption. Your provider can help determine the appropriate dosage based on your needs.
  • Strength training exercises and regular movement. Weight-bearing exercises like resistance training help maintain bone density and improve muscle strength, which can reduce the risk of falls. Activities like walking, yoga, or low-impact aerobic exercises are also beneficial.
  • Bone-building medications. Medications can help slow bone loss or even increase bone density. Your provider will assess which medication is most suitable for your condition.

While neither arthritis nor osteoporosis are curable, you can work with your healthcare team to find a treatment plan that works for you. Early detection is key, as it allows for more effective management. Be sure to attend your annual primary care visits to catch any warning signs early, when they are easier to treat.

In addition to the support you get from your healthcare providers, Compass Rose Aging Well is here to help you meet your health goals. If you’re looking for ways to stay active or need educational resources on managing your condition, don’t hesitate to reach out to our resource coordinator. We're here to support you every step of the way. 

 

Published: May 6, 2025.