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What Are the Symptoms of Arthritis of the Spine?

If you think that you might be suffering from spinal osteoarthritis, it may help to get an answer to the question, “What are the symptoms of arthritis of the spine?” Understanding how to describe your discomfort to your doctor will not only help in confirming an accurate diagnosis, but it will also make it easier to design an effective treatment plan.

The Anatomy and Symptoms of Spinal Arthritis

Arthritis of the spine, also called spinal osteoarthritis, is a degenerative condition that affects the facet joints, which are the hinges that allow adjacent vertebrae to articulate. These joints are covered in cartilage and are lubricated with synovial fluid. Arthritis causes the cartilage to wear away, making movement uncomfortable. Aging, genetics, obesity, and gender can all play a role in the development of spinal arthritis, which may lead to the following symptoms:

• Joint stiffness or spontaneous joint lockage
• Joint inflammation
• Localized pain or throbbing that remains stationary
• Radiating pain that begins in the back and moves through the extremities
• A grinding feeling of bone rubbing against bone, also called “crepitus”
• Numbness or tingling if joint nerves become compressed

Treatment Options

While there is no cure or treatment that can stop the progression of spinal arthritis, most patients will be able to manage their discomfort non-surgically with the help of a conservative treatment regimen. Your doctor may suggest methods like hot-cold compresses, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, intermittent rest, and behavior modification, among others. If weeks or months of these treatments fail to offer you lasting pain relief, contact Laser Spine Institute. We have a variety of minimally invasive procedures that offer a welcome alternative to the risks and lengthy recuperation of an open spine surgery. Our?innovative endoscopic techniques have helped tens of thousands of spinal arthritis patients rediscover their lives without back and neck pain. Request your complimentary MRI or CT scan today.

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