Spine and Pain Specialist, Patna
•
22 years experience
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Arthritis of the spine often causes bone spurs or osteophytes, when left untreated for long.
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As arthritis develops in the spine, not only the cartilages, wear away, but the bones are stressed too. As a result, the spine responds by creating new bone to repair itself which then turn into irregular small bone growths, called bone spurs or osteophytes. These form around the spinal vertebrae and on the facet joints and tent to increase bone to bone friction and spine pain. Bone spurs may not cause pain but may lead to compression of the nerves in the spine and irritation, which requires immediate medical attention.
Which of these factors can be responsible for spinal arthritis?
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Arthritis of spine can occur due to a number of reasons. Some of the main and common reasons responsible for this disease are, aging, excessive weight gain, heredity factor, the outgrowth of bones in the spine that leads to pressurizing the spine and deteriorating of the cartilage. You can discuss with your doctor to understand if you are at risk. Consult with an orthopedic right away in case you experience pain and uneasiness in the spine area during your daily activities.
The condition can be diagnosed by performing a few medical tests along with analyzing the symptoms.
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Along with analyzing one's past and present medical history, an orthopedic may order various tests to accurately diagnose whether one is suffering from arthritis of the spine. Some of these tests are, X-rays to locate bone spurs or loss of disc and bone damage, MRI to confirm possible areas of the spine bearing the damage and blood tests to exclude the possibility of other diseases. When consulting with an orthopedic, make it a point never to hide your past medical history, if there's any, as it may be related to the spine condition.
Which of these are some of the common symptoms of arthritis of the spine?
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Some of the most common symptoms of this disease are, experiencing fatigue, sudden decrease in the appetite, occasional pain in the back, the spine area becoming stiff, pain and numbness in the surrounding area of the spine, such as the hip, the neck, and the shoulders. Further, difficulty in moving around or sitting and standing can also be associated symptoms. Be observant and pay attention to your body trying to signal something is wrong so that you can take the necessary steps.
There's no treatment available for arthritis of the spine.
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From physical therapies for strengthening the muscles, supporting the back to medications that can help in reliving the spine discomfort and reduce inflammation, there are various treatment options available. While, doing regular exercise, losing excess weight can be helpful in improving the spine condition, surgical treatments and alternative treatments such as acupuncture and chiropractic can help too. The treatment for spinal arthritis tend to vary from patient to patient depending on the overall health of the patient, the severity of his condition and so on.
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