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Degenerative Joint Disease of the Spine

Degenerative joint disease of the spine, also commonly referred to as spinal osteoarthritis or facet disease, is a 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 by a capsule of synovial fluid. Joint disease causes this cartilage to wear away and the synovial sac can become inflamed, leading to painful symptoms like joint stiffness, instability, lockage, inflammation, or deformity.

Causes of Spinal Joint Disease

Causes of spinal degenerative joint disease can be divided into two categories:

• Primary – the primary cause of the disease is the natural aging process. After years of wear and tear, cartilage begins to lose water content and collagen fibers break down. The deterioration of cartilage causes bone to rub against bone, leading to the formation of bone spurs.
• Secondary – secondary causes of degenerative joint disease include obesity, injury, viral or bacterial infections, congenital joint disorders, a weakened immune system, prolonged misuse or overexertion, or illnesses like gout and diabetes.

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Alternatives to Surgery

Surgery for degenerative joint disease is primarily aimed at removing bone spurs, or osteophytes, that could be causing painful neural compression, though highly invasive surgeries like spinal fusion are sometimes recommended to immobilize diseased joints. Before considering surgery, you will likely be directed to try a wide variety of conservative treatments, such as pain medication in the form of acetaminophen or ibuprofen, selective nerve block injections, and behavior modification.

If nonsurgical methods prove ineffective, consider contacting Laser Spine Institute. Our orthopedic experts specialize in minimally invasive procedures that target the source of your back and neck pain. State-of-the-art endoscopic techniques allow us to perform these safe, effective procedures on an outpatient basis, without the risks and long recuperation of an open spine procedure. Contact Laser Spine Institute today for a complimentary review of your MRI or CT scan.

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