Spinal Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects millions of people each year. It is the most common type of arthritis. Spinal osteoarthritis affects the spine. Spinal osteoarthritis causes cartilage to break down or wear away. This in turn makes the bones rub together and leads to pain, swelling and eventually loss of motion.

Spinal osteoarthritis is a progressive disease, which means that it continues to worsen over time. Sometimes spinal osteoarthritis progresses quickly while other times it may temporarily slow down.

Spinal osteoarthritis typically affects people as they age so it is more common among those over 45 years old. Spinal osteoarthritis causes pain and stiffness in the lower back or in the neck areas. Another symptom of spinal osteoarthritis is numbness in the arms or legs.

There are various treatments for spinal osteoarthritis. While spinal osteoarthritis is not reversible the symptoms can be helped. The symptoms of spinal osteoarthritis can cause the disease to progress more rapidly. When movement is painful the patient tends to remain sedentary. This can cause spinal osteoarthritis to develop further hold on the joints, making them more difficult to move.

There are several treatments for spinal osteoarthritis. It is important to get an examination and diagnosis before beginning any treatment of spinal osteoarthritis. When spinal osteoarthritis first begins it may be helpful to apply heat to the affected areas. This can be done using a heating pad or soaking in a hot bath.

Sleeping on a firm mattress with plenty of support helps give some people relief from the pain associated with spinal osteoarthritis. Using special back support pillows also tends to help. An exercise program often helps spinal osteoarthritis patients regain some of the movement they lost. Exercise keeps the joints limber. In severe cases the spinal osteoarthritis patient may require surgery.