Osteoarthritis of the spine popularly known as spondylosis affects the spinal joints and the intervertebral discs. This kind of degenerative disease usually affects people age 45 and is most common to those who age 60 but then again it might strike any age for some. Osteoarthritis is not the same with osteoporosis nor should it be confused with spondylolysis which is a type of fracture in the vertebra that may or may not lead to spondylolisthesis.
Osteoarthritis is the deterioration of the cartilage covering the ends of the bones in a joint. Common areas of the body that are affected with osteoarthritis are the hands, hips, spine and knees. In osteoarthritis of the spine, the cartilage covering the joints of the spine slowly deteriorates. The bones in the joints can’t move smoothly thus creating irritation in the bone hence bone spurs may form. An x ray can usually determine if there is damage in the bones or bone spur.
Degrees of damage in spinal osteoarthritis do vary. From mild which does not give any symptoms at all or with mild back pain to advanced cases where the bones in the joints would rub together. The symptoms may come and go most of the time. Areas of the spine that is commonly affected by spinal osteoarthritis are the lower back, the neck as well as the upper back.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis of the Spine
- Neck pain or back especially for the first half hour in the early morning but it usually improve during the day and worsen by night.
- Severe cases may result to spinal stenosis where spinal cord is compressed due to the thinning of the spinal canal.
- Irritation may also occur.
- Pain, weakness, numbness and tingling will be experience.
- In advanced cases it can result to cervical spondylosis where patients will experience pain, muscle weakness and numbness in the arms. Headaches, neck pain stiffness and loss of balance
- It might also result to lumbar spondylosis where one will experience pain, tingling and numbness in the legs, feet and buttocks.
Treatments for Spinal Osteoarthritis
Treatments for such includes exercise like strengthening exercise and low impact aerobics that usually include walking, swimming, biking and many more. Warm Water Exercise is also good. Anti inflammatory drug and other medication is also good to manage the pain. Spinal injections can be very effective too to manage the disease and of course your last resort or option is surgery. But this you have to discuss thoroughly with your doctor.