The blog is excerpted from VeryWell Heath, written by Ashley Braun, MPH, RD on January 25, 2021.

We often get questions about arthritis, and if we can help those with arthritis in the spine. First, let’s discuss what is spinal arthritis.

Spinal arthritis is the inflammation of the joints between the bones in your spine or the joints connecting your spine to your pelvis. Spinal arthritis can also be called spondylosis.

It can affect the:

  • Discs between vertebrae
  • Ligaments and tendons connecting them
  • Bones themselves

This can be caused by different autoimmune diseases, wear and tear on the joints, infections, and other conditions.

Common Symptoms of Spinal Arthritis

Some symptoms of spinal arthritis are common to all of the different types of arthritis. These can include:

  • Decreased range of motion
  • Decreased strength
  • Pain, stiffness and swelling
  • Pain, numbness in your arms and legs
  • Headaches

There are some differences in how the symptoms can feel based on the type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis tends to become more painful when the joint is in use because prolonged use of the joint increases the grinding and inflammation in the joint. For an inflammatory type of arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis, the pain can become worse even when the joints not in use, and long periods of time in the same position can increase pain.

Symptoms can also vary based on the part of the spine affected. For example:

  • Arthritis in the cervical spine can cause pain that radiates to the shoulders, back of the head, and chest. If the nerves leaving the spine are affected, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms and hands can occur.
  • Arthritis in the thoracic region can lead to pain radiating through the rib cage or abdomen. Muscle spasms can occur throughout the back and abdomen. The diaphragm—the muscle below the rib cage that affects breathing—can be painful or have muscle spasms affecting breathing. Inflammation around the ribs can also lead to pain and difficulty breathing.
  • Arthritis in the lumbar spine causes pain and stiffness in the lower back. If nerves are affected, it can lead to weakness, pain in the legs, bladder incontinence, and changes in bowel function.

When To See a Doctor

There are no cures for arthritis, but treatment helps to manage the symptoms, reduce inflammation, and can even put the disease into remission where you will experience no symptoms for a period of time. The longer the disease is uncontrolled the more likely it is for more severe damage to happen to the joints, making it more difficult to live with.

Bonati Spine Procedures for Spinal Arthritis

In severe cases or when non-surgical treatments for spinal arthritis, or spondylosis, fail to provide relief, surgical treatment may be recommended. The patented Bonati Spine Procedures are proven to help eliminate the symptoms of this condition. Learn more about the specific procedures available for spinal arthritis here. If you would like to speak to a Bonati patient advocate about your case, simply call 844-663-0310 or complete our contact form here and we will be happy to reach out to you directly to discuss.

 

Read the full article from VeryWell Health here: https://www.verywellhealth.com/symptoms-of-spinal-arthritis-5096385