Spine Arthritis
November 27, 2008
This kind of arthritis occurs when the cartilage in the joints becomes worn down due to wear and tear, aging, misuse, and injury. This disease in the USA alone affects nearly 50 million people. A person’s susceptibility to this disease depends on the factors, such as age, trauma to the bones, illnesses, family history, obesity, and weakened immune system, among others.
Spinal osteoarthritis is actually very common. It is proven to be the most painful and disabling as well. A healthy individual’s spinal column will have enough cartilage within the joints to lubricate the movement of the bones. However, for people with this type of arthritis, the quantity of cartilage is just not enough anymore. As a result, the bones will rub against each other, thereby causing inflammation, pain, and the development of bone halts. Spinal osteoarthritis is caused by imbalances. These imbalances can occur in your stress levels, hormone levels, and nutritional levels.
Muscle imbalances can adversely affect posture, which can lead to neck and back pain. The causes may vary from one person to the next, but usually degeneration in the bones along with calcium build-up are factors. Sometimes past injuries or surgeries are to blame. Nerves become pinched or compacted, causing severe pain or numbness in the affected areas. Many who suffer from arthritis of the spine will also be affected by herniated discs and bone spurs.
The general symptoms of arthritis of the spine are inflammation, stiffness, and pain. However, there are also other symptoms such as deformed spine, limited range of motion, soreness and pain in the hips, knees, heels, or shoulders, numbness of arms and legs, back pain, numbness and pain on the neck, grinding sound and sensation, and pain the lower back. The disease may manifest with one or several of the symptoms. When you experience one or more of these symptoms mentioned, it would be best to visit your doctor.
Like other types of arthritis, spine arthritis treatment is based upon the assessment of your doctor. Even though there are several advanced surgical procedures, that are less invasive, the doctor usually reserves surgery as the final option. Then again, the best option would be prevention. Even though there is no definite way to prevent this disease, a healthy lifestyle would surely minimize the probability of you being affected by this. As said, prevention is always better than cure.
Comments