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What is Spinal Arthritis?
Spinal Arthritis is a term used to describe an inflammation of the joints in the back, including the facet joints which allow the spine to make back and forth and twisting movements. The condition involves the breakdown of the cartilage that allows these joints to glide smoothly.
Causes of Spinal Arthritis
This condition is most commonly caused by age-related degeneration. However, it can also be influenced by factors like weight, gender, and heredity. For example, carrying excess body weight puts more pressure on the spine and increases the risk of developing arthritis of the spine. Alternately, as the body ages, the cartilage in the joints naturally loses water content, making it more brittle and susceptible to injury. If the cartilage breaks down, this increases the chance of inflammation such as that found with arthritis.
Symptoms of Spinal Arthritis
Regardless of the cause, this condition can cause many symptoms, including:
- Pain
- Tingling
- Stiffness
- Numbness
- Trouble with range of motion
- The feeling of bones rubbing against each other
Spinal arthritis is also commonly associated with other back conditions such as bone spurs, herniated discs, pinched nerves, bulging discs, and many others.
Treatments for Spinal Arthritis
Treatments depend almost exclusively on the afflicted person's individual situation and on their doctor’s recommendations. Some of the most common methods of treatment include:
- Rest
- Spinal decompression
- Pain medicines
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Spinal steroid medicines
- Heat/ice packs
- More
To learn more about spinal arthritis, and the treatments for its symptoms, including endoscopic spine surgery, contact Laser Spine Institute. We are happy to provide you with a complimentary review of your MRI or CT scan and let you know if you qualify for one of our procedures.