When a person is suffering from the arthritis of the spine, like osteoarthritis, then immediate medical attention is needed to prevent the condition from getting any worse. Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease and causes not just pain but also arthritis spine pain that is extremely uncomfortable to deal with and can destroy the normal semblance of life for a person. Spinal arthritis can also progress further and cause bone spurs or osteophytes if the condition is left untreated for a long time.
Spinal arthritis and arthritis spine pain are mainly caused from the breakdown of the cartilage of the discs and/or joints that are present in the neck or lower back. Arthritis spine pain gets even worse when spurs starts to put undue stress or pressure on the nerves that leave the spinal column. This nerve roots compression can also weakness as well as pain in not just neck and back but also legs and arms.
Causes of Spinal Arthritis
Spinal arthritis is usually found in people above 40 and especially among women. However, it can also happen to people who belong to younger age groups. Younger people usually get develop this kind of problem from a variety of reasons, such as an injury to a joint, genetic defects, or simply a back disorder that leads the joints to lose their proper and natural formation.
Non-Surgical Treatment and Spinal Surgery
More often than not, a doctor specializing in spinal injuries prefers non-surgical treatment options as opposed to spinal surgery. Usually doctors concentrate on physical therapy, chiropractic, or acupuncture to help an individual get pain relief and increase the joint’s ability to function. Usually a program consisting of aerobic, strengthening, and or range-of-motion exercises is recommended to help patients. Spinal surgery procedures include spine fusion, spinal stenosis and laminectomy.