Arthritis and Osteoporosis Therapy at Home
In-Home Arthritis and Bone Health Therapy in Oakland and Macomb County, Michigan
Stay active, protect your joints and bones, and prevent falls.
ELEVATE provides in-home physical and occupational therapy for adults with osteoarthritis and osteoporosis in Oakland and Macomb County, Michigan. Licensed therapists work on joint motion, strength, balance, hand function, and fall prevention in your own home, alongside your physician. Visits are private-pay and one-on-one.
- Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease in which the tissues of the joint break down over time. It is the most common type of arthritis, and mainly affects the hands, knees, hips, neck and low back. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that makes bones weaker and more likely to break.
- OA causes joint pain and stiffness. Osteoporosis is “silent” and often has no symptoms until a bone breaks, most often in the hip, spine or wrist.
- Exercise is a cornerstone of care for both. Physical therapy builds strength, mobility and balance, and occupational therapy protects joints and makes daily tasks easier.
- Fall prevention matters a great deal with weak bones, because most hip fractures are caused by falls.
- ELEVATE Therapy Services brings therapy to your home in Oakland and Macomb County, Michigan. Visits are private-pay and one-on-one.
What osteoarthritis and osteoporosis are
Osteoarthritis: a joint problem
A joint is where two bones meet, cushioned by cartilage and held by ligaments, tendons and a lining called the synovium. In osteoarthritis, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) explains, the tissues in the joint break down or change structure over time. It is no longer thought of as simple “wear and tear.” The cartilage can thin, bone can change shape and grow spurs (osteophytes), and swelling and pain develop. Pain can make people less active, which weakens the muscles that support the joint and adds more stress to it.
Osteoporosis: a bone problem
Osteoporosis develops when bone mineral density and bone mass decrease, or when the structure and strength of bone change. Bones become fragile, so a minor fall, or even bending, lifting or coughing, can cause a fracture. Osteoporosis is the major cause of fractures in postmenopausal women and older men.
Causes and risk factors
Osteoarthritis
Researchers do not know exactly what starts the breakdown. OA is more common as people age, and women are more likely than men to have it, especially after age 50. Younger people can develop it after:
- A joint injury
- A joint that formed abnormally
- A genetic defect in joint cartilage
- A family history of osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Bone loss speeds up with age while new bone growth slows. NIAMS lists these risk factors:
Symptoms
Osteoarthritis
- Pain when using the joint, which may improve with rest and may be worse at night in later stages
- Stiffness in the morning or after rest, usually lasting less than 30 minutes
- Swelling, a loose or unstable feeling, and reduced motion
- Knees: grinding sounds and, over time, buckling. Hips: pain in the groin, inner thigh or buttocks. Hands: bony enlargements of the finger joints. Spine: stiffness and pain in the neck or low back
Osteoporosis
There are usually no symptoms until a bone breaks. Signs of a spine (vertebral) fracture include severe back pain, loss of height, or a stooped, hunched posture.
When to get help
- See your physician for joint pain that lasts, swelling that is new or worsening, or a joint that feels unstable.
- Urgent same-day care for a joint that is suddenly hot, red and swollen, especially with fever.
- Ask about bone health if you have sudden severe back pain, are losing height, have had a fracture from a minor fall, or have risk factors. Bone density testing and treatment are decided by your physician.
- Never start an exercise program for painful joints or fragile bones without checking with your doctor or therapist.
How they affect daily life
| What a person may notice | Why it happens | Who helps |
|---|---|---|
| Aching, stiff knees or hips; trouble with stairs and getting up from chairs | Joint tissue changes cause pain and swelling, and the supporting muscles weaken when the joint is used less. | Physical therapy |
| Painful, stiff or enlarged finger joints; trouble with jars, buttons and writing | Arthritis in the hand joints reduces motion and grip strength. | Occupational therapy |
| Fear of falling, or a fall that causes a break | Weak bones fracture more easily, and joint pain and weakness affect balance. | Physical therapy, occupational therapy |
| Loss of height or a stooped posture | Compression fractures of the spine can shorten the spine and change posture. | Your physician, with physical therapy |
| Fatigue, poor sleep or low mood | Pain and stiffness can lead to tiredness, trouble sleeping and depression. | Whole team, with your physician |
How care works
NIAMS lists the goals of osteoarthritis treatment as reducing pain, improving joint function, slowing the disease and maintaining quality of life. Treatment usually begins with learning about the condition and exercise, which can reduce joint pain and stiffness and improve flexibility, strength and endurance. Managing weight reduces stress on the joints, especially the knees and hips. Medicines, injections, braces and, when needed, joint replacement are decided with your physician.
The American College of Rheumatology and Arthritis Foundation guideline for osteoarthritis strongly recommends exercise, weight loss for people who are overweight, and self-management programs for knee and hip osteoarthritis. For osteoporosis, NIAMS recommends weight-bearing exercise such as walking, a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, not smoking, moderate alcohol and taking prescribed medicines. A therapist builds a program that fits your joints and bones.
What physical and occupational therapy each do
Physical therapy: moving more with less pain
- Range-of-motion and stretching to keep joints limber
- Strengthening with weights or bands for the muscles that support the joints
- Balance and agility training to prevent falls
- Low-impact aerobic activity such as walking or cycling, and water exercise when available
- For osteoporosis, a safe weight-bearing program and movement techniques that protect the spine, such as limiting heavy forward bending and twisting if your physician advises
- Training in the use of a cane, walker or brace, and joint-friendly ways to move
Occupational therapy: protecting joints and simplifying tasks
- Joint protection and energy-saving techniques for daily tasks
- Adaptive tools for hands and joints, such as built-up handles, jar openers and reachers
- Hand exercises and splint recommendations when appropriate
- Bathroom, kitchen and bedroom setup to reduce strain and falls
- Safe ways to lift, carry and get in and out of cars and chairs
Supporting services
Massage and stretch therapy may help with comfort and flexibility when your physician clears it, and with care around fragile bones.
What an ELEVATE home visit looks like
- Review: your history, medicines, bone health information and your doctors’ recommendations.
- Assessment: joint motion and strength, balance, walking, hand function and daily tasks.
- Home review: stairs, bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, lighting and walkways.
- Plan: goals that matter to you and a written home program.
- Communication: progress shared with your physician as appropriate.
ELEVATE serves adults in Oakland and Macomb County, Michigan, with licensed physical and occupational therapists. See Payments & Insurance for details.
Questions families ask
Is exercise safe with arthritis?
Can I exercise if I have osteoporosis?
Will losing weight help my joints?
Is osteoarthritis just wear and tear?
Why does fall prevention matter with weak bones?
Do I need a referral or does insurance cover this?
Does ELEVATE replace my doctor?
Trusted resources for arthritis and osteoporosis
These organizations are the leading sources of education and support for this condition. We are not affiliated with them.
Related guides
Browse every condition we treat on our Conditions We Treat page.
Sources and medical note
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Osteoarthritis, Osteoarthritis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take and Osteoporosis.
- Kolasinski SL et al. 2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation Guideline for the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip, and Knee. Arthritis & Rheumatology, 2020.
- Arthritis Foundation: Osteoarthritis.
- Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation: patient education and support.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Facts About Older Adult Falls.
This page is educational and is not medical advice. It does not replace your physician’s care. Always follow your physician’s instructions. After a fall with severe pain, a leg that cannot bear weight, or a head injury with confusion, call 911 immediately.
Contact Elevate Therapy Services
Need to reach us? Use our web form to send a message now, or contact us using one of the methods below.
We will be in contact within one to two business days.
Phone: (248) 266-5721
Fax: (586) 788-1704
