spinal arthritis

Spinal Arthritis

Spinal arthritis, as the name suggests, is a form of arthritis that occurs in the joints of the spine (facet joints). Arthritis describes a variety of diseases causing pain, swelling, tenderness, and stiffness in the joints, and it can occur in any joint in the body. When it occurs in the facet joints, it is also referred to as osteoarthritis.

How Does Spinal Arthritis Develop?

As with any joint in the body, the facet joints of the spine are coated with protective cartilage. Over years of wear and tear as these joints allow for spinal movement, this cartilage can eventually wear away. If this deterioration progresses to a sufficient level, it can result in bone-on-bone contact.

Symptoms

If spinal arthritis progresses to the point that vertebrae are grinding against one another, this can cause intense pain. It can also lead to the formation of bone spurs, which are bony growths the body produces in response to bone-on-bone contact. These excess bone growths are harmless by themselves, but can produce potentially debilitating symptoms if they impinge upon a nearby spinal nerve or the spinal cord itself. Symptoms of this neural compression can include:

• Localized pain at the site of compression
• Pain that radiates the length of the compressed nerve
• Unexpected muscle weakness
• Tingling or a pins-and-needles feeling
• Numbness

Treatment for Spinal Arthritis

Technically, since it is a natural component of the aging process, there isn’t anything you can do to prevent or treat spinal arthritis. We all grow older, and our bodies will naturally deteriorate in response. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t treat the symptoms of this condition. In fact, many patients find adequate relief from their symptoms through a variety of conservative, nonsurgical treatments, including physical therapy, exercise, hot/cold therapy, massage, chiropractic adjustment, pain medication, and others. However, if you’ve tried for weeks or months to treat your symptoms conservatively but haven’t found relief, contact Laser Spine Institute. Our safe, effective endoscopic procedures are the minimally invasive alternative to open spine surgery. Tens of thousands of patients have relied on our procedures to find relief from chronic back and neck pain caused by spinal arthritis and other degenerative spine conditions.