Osteoarthritis of Spine - An Educational Guide

What is Osteoarthritis of Spine?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition in which deterioration of the cartilage in the joint occurs. Cartilage provides cushioning between the joints and allows their smooth movement. When degenerative changes damage the cartilage, the bones forming the joint rub against each other with every movement and over time, arthritis develop.

Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in our body and the spine is one of the locations affected by the condition. This is what we will be discussing in the post. When it comes to osteoarthritis in the spine, generally affects the facet joints. They are the cartilage present between the bones forming the spine. It is likely that cartilage in facet joints wears with age and besides this, the water content dries up as well. This process results in the narrowing of the spine while increasing the pressure on facet joints.

When the condition becomes severe, spine surgery might be on the cards, and it may involve the use of Orthopedic Trauma Implants.

What Causes Osteoarthritis of Spine?

The cause of osteoarthritis in the spine is the deterioration of cartilage present in the lower back. Now, there could be multiple reasons for why deterioration of cartilage occurs but, the exact cause of the same is unknown. Aging is the commonest cause of osteoarthritis, and this occurs because of age-related deterioration of cartilage. Another reason why osteoarthritis develops is because of spinal injury at a younger age. When this occurs, cartilage breakdown occurs at a very high rate. Besides this, obesity is another cause that increases the rate at which cartilage breakdown occurs and hence, eventually causing osteoarthritis. Some of the risk factors of osteoarthritis may include:

• Increasing age

• Being a female

• Family history of osteoarthritis

• Occupational activities that put repetitive stress on the spine

• Birth defect with damaged joint or cartilage

What Are the Symptoms of Osteoarthritis?

The symptoms associated with osteoarthritis of the spine may vary from individual to individual and the severity of the condition. The most obvious symptoms associated with osteoarthritis of the spine include neck and back pain. Besides this, stiffness is also experienced. Some other signs associated with the condition include:

• Joint tenderness

• Limited range of motion

• Weakness or numbness in the arms and legs, especially when the spinal nerve or cord is pinched

The pain associated with osteoarthritis of the spine becomes worse when someone sits straight in an upright position or while standing. During rest, pain improves.

What is the Treatment of Osteoarthritis?

We must say that there is no cure for osteoarthritis hence, the treatment provided aims at improving the symptoms associated with the condition and slowing down the progression of the condition. In most cases of osteoarthritis, non-surgical treatments are enough to improve the symptoms and provide relief. The healthcare service provider often prescribes analgesics and anti-inflammatories to relieve painful symptoms. Besides this, heat or cold therapy may also help relieve inflammation. Physical therapy is also recommended to strengthen muscles surrounding the affected joint and improve the range of motion.

In some, these treatment methods either don’t work or are not feasible for the condition. In those cases, surgery may be recommended. Spinal fusion and laminectomy are two surgical options that may be considered by the surgeon.

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