So people may have pain in their legs and feet when walking or even when resting in bed, which can be very disabling. Although spinal stenosis primarily develops due to OA, the neck involvement of RA may also cause it. Osteoporosis is a thinning of bone that can lead to fractures. In addition to the impact of RA in increasing osteoporosis, people with RA have the same osteoporosis risks as the rest of the population as we age. Women are at special risk due to a decline in estrogen after menopause.
Decreased weight bearing due to inadequate exercise also contributes to osteoporosis.
So if you can't bear weight and aren't walking enough due to RA, you have a further accelerated osteoporosis risk. Muscle strength often declines with aging, and factors related to RA, OA, and osteoporosis can make it worse. For example, if RA impairs your ability to be active, your muscles will get weaker and smaller. If you develop a fracture due to osteoporosis, again, your inactivity causes muscles to atrophy. When muscle atrophy occurs, exercise focusing on very small muscle groups can have a tremendous impact on stabilizing your ability to walk.