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• Osteoarthritis of the Spine

Osteoarthritis of the Spine

Osteoarthritis of the spine, also known as degenerative arthritis or spondylosis, is a condition found more commonly in women than men. The condition typically begins as the body ages, and cartilage between the bones that make up the facet joints begins to break down. This degeneration of cartilage causes the bones to rub together, frequently leading to the formation of bone spurs and irritated nerve roots.

Because the symptoms are similar, spinal osteoarthritis is sometimes misdiagnosed as degenerative disc disease, which is the breakdown of the discs between vertebrae rather than the cartilage between facet joints. It also should not be confused with rheumatoid arthritis in the spine, a less common – and potentially more crippling – autoimmune disease that attacks joint tissue. Nor is osteoarthritis the same as osteoporosis, which is the loss of bone mass over time.

While back or neck pain caused by these conditions and others can resemble the symptoms of osteoarthritis of the spine, there are specific signs that could point to degenerative arthritis. These signs include:

• Diminished joint flexibility
• Persistent or occasional joint pain
• The sensation of bone rubbing on bone
• Numbness or tingling in the arms or hands, as with cervical spine arthritis
• Weakness or numbness in the legs, as with lumbar spine arthritis

If you experience neck or back pain, you should consult your doctor. A physical examination, combined with spinal imaging and blood tests, can determine the origin and nature of your pain. Many conditions can be treated non-surgically with exercise or pain medicine. If non-surgical treatment proves ineffective against chronic pain, your doctor might suggest surgery as an alternative. If it comes to that, Laser Spine Institute (LSI) is here to help you rediscover a life without pain.

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Our award-winning surgeons have a variety of minimally invasive, outpatient procedures available to treat osteoarthritis of the spine. Contact the medical professionals at LSI for information about our gentle, endoscopic procedures and for a free review of your MRI or CT scan.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.