Osteoporosis vs. Osteoarthritis: When to See a Fellowship Trained Joint Replacement Surgeon

By: Dr. Zain Sayeed, DHR Health Orthopedic Surgeon
5540 Raphael Drive Edinburg, TX 78539

To schedule an appointment, call (956) 362-6683

To learn more about orthopedic services at DHR Health, visit https://dhrhealth.com/services/orthopedics/

As a joint replacement specialist, I often see patients who are unsure whether their pain is caused by osteoporosis or osteoarthritis—two common but very different conditions. Understanding the difference is key to getting the right care at the right time. It is important for your surgeon to spend the time to reach an appropriate diagnosis for you, and give you an idea of your bone quality.

Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become weak and brittle, making them more prone to fractures. It often goes unnoticed until a patient suffers a broken bone, especially in the hip, wrist, or spine. Osteoporosis doesn’t typically cause joint pain directly but can lead to serious injuries after falls.

Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is a wear-and-tear condition that affects the cartilage within joints. It’s most common in the hips and knees and causes symptoms like stiffness, swelling, pain with activity, and reduced mobility over time. Unlike osteoporosis, osteoarthritis is a progressive condition that can significantly impact your quality of life.

That said, you can have both! Patients often come in with bad osteoarthritis in the setting of osteoporosis. In this scenario, it is very important for your surgeon to have the appropriate implants and plan in place for your surgery to go well. This may require your surgeon to use special bone glue and different style instruments to get you the best outcome possible.

So when should you see a fellowship trained joint replacement surgeon?

If you’re experiencing chronic joint pain, difficulty walking, or if daily activities like climbing stairs or getting out of a chair are becoming painful or limited, it’s time for an evaluation. We often begin with non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy, medications, or injections. But if these don’t provide relief, joint replacement surgery can be a safe and effective solution—especially today with advances like minimally invasive knee surgery, minimally invasive anterior hip replacement, and rapid recovery protocols. During our visit we will go over all implants, and special instruments I use to obtain a satisfactory outcome.

Don’t wait until your pain becomes disabling. An early consultation allows us to guide you through your options and help you stay active, independent, and pain-free.

About Dr. Zain Sayeed

Sayeed is a Harvard fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in advanced joint replacement and adult reconstruction. With expertise in state-of-the-art techniques such as robotic-assisted surgery, anterior hip replacement, and tourniquet-free knee replacement, Sayeed is committed to delivering personalized, innovative care to improve his patients’ quality of life.

The post Osteoporosis vs. Osteoarthritis: When to See a Fellowship Trained Joint Replacement Surgeon appeared first on MyRGV.com.