Rheumatoid Arthritis & Osteoporosis: The Hidden Risk to Your Bones

Can rheumatoid arthritis cause osteoporosis? If you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you may be at increased risk of bone loss, osteoporosis and fragility fractures—and this risk is not simply caused by taking steroids such as prednisolone. Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic inflammatory disease. Chronic inflammation can affect the normal balance between bone formation and bone breakdown, potentially contributing to weaker bones over time. Add in glucocorticoid treatment, reduced mobility, menopause, age and other osteoporosis risk factors, and fracture risk can increase significantly. In this video, Consultant Rheumatologist Dr Naveen Bhadauria explains the important connection between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis, why RA can weaken your bones, how prednisolone affects bone health, when you may need a DEXA scan, and what you can do to reduce your risk of osteoporosis and fragility fractures. 🔍 IN THIS VIDEO YOU'LL LEARN: ✅ Why does rheumatoid arthritis increase osteoporosis risk? ✅ Can RA cause bone loss even without steroids? ✅ How does inflammation affect bone strength? ✅ Does prednisolone cause osteoporosis? ✅ How quickly can steroids affect your bones? ✅ What is a fragility fracture? ✅ Who should consider having a DEXA scan? ✅ What do FRAX and fracture risk mean? ✅ Why are menopause and age important? ✅ Does vitamin D prevent osteoporosis? ✅ How much does calcium matter for bone health? ✅ What exercise is best for protecting bones? ✅ Why is muscle strength important for fracture prevention? ✅ Can controlling rheumatoid arthritis help protect your bones? ✅ What treatments are available for osteoporosis? One important message is that osteoporosis in rheumatoid arthritis is not simply a "steroid problem." The inflammation associated with RA itself can influence bone metabolism. Patients with active rheumatoid arthritis may also exercise less because of painful and swollen joints, leading to reduced muscle strength and less mechanical loading of the skeleton. Steroids such as prednisolone can increase the risk further. Long-term glucocorticoid treatment can reduce new bone formation, increase bone breakdown and contribute to muscle weakness, which is why bone protection should be considered early in patients requiring prolonged steroid treatment. Bone health can be assessed using tools such as FRAX and, when appropriate, a DEXA or DXA scan. Importantly, osteoporosis is often silent. You may not know your bones have become weaker until a fragility fracture occurs. Common osteoporotic fractures include fractures of the hip, wrist and spine. Vertebral compression fractures can sometimes occur without dramatic symptoms and may present with back pain, loss of height or increasing curvature of the spine. The good news is that osteoporosis can be prevented and treated. Controlling rheumatoid arthritis effectively, minimising unnecessary steroid exposure, maintaining adequate vitamin D and calcium, weight-bearing and resistance exercise, preserving muscle strength and reducing falls risk can all contribute to better bone health. For patients at increased fracture risk, osteoporosis treatments may include bisphosphonates such as alendronate or zoledronic acid, denosumab, or in selected patients with very high fracture risk, bone-building treatments such as teriparatide or romosozumab. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, protecting your joints is important—but protecting your bones matters too. 🩺 PRIVATE RHEUMATOLOGY CONSULTATIONS For specialist assessment and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory arthritis and osteoporosis: Dr Naveen Bhadauria Consultant Rheumatologist Pure Rheumatology London 📧 Appointments & Enquiries: [pa@purerheumatologylondon.co.uk](mailto:pa@purerheumatologylondon.co.uk) 🌐 Website: https://www.purerheumatologylondon.co... 📍 Private clinics: HCA UK The Shard – London Bridge Welbeck London King's Oak Hospital – Enfield Spire London East 🔔 Subscribe to Pure Rheumatology London for evidence-based videos about rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, autoimmune disease, DMARDs, biologics and modern rheumatology treatments. 💬 QUESTION FOR YOU: If you have rheumatoid arthritis, has anyone ever discussed your osteoporosis or fracture risk with you? Let me know in the comments. ⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This video is for educational purposes only and does not replace personalised medical advice. Speak to your healthcare professional if you are concerned about osteoporosis, fracture risk or your rheumatoid arthritis treatment. #RheumatoidArthritis #Osteoporosis #BoneHealth #RheumatoidArthritisTreatment #FragilityFracture #DEXAScan #DXAScan #Prednisolone #Steroids #VitaminD #BoneDensity #FRAX #Arthritis #InflammatoryArthritis #OsteoporosisTreatment #Rheumatology #Rheumatologist #PureRheumatologyLondon