Obtaining an accurate diagnosis of spinal arthritis can be complex, as there are many types of arthritis as well as a multitude of other diseases and injuries that can cause similar symptoms. When gathering a medical history, physicians usually inquire about the severity of symptoms in relation to the types of activities performed, when most symptoms occur, what makes symptoms better and worse, what treatments have been attempted and what the outcome was of said treatments.

Your physician should perform a back examination, including performing a series of exercises to test flexibility and range of motion. Then your physician might run a series of tests, such as blood work, as well as diagnostic imaging, such as an MRI, X-ray, CT scan or bone scan, in order to arrive at an accurate diagnosis. To learn more about the types of treatment to relieve spinal arthritis symptoms, read the following article.

Treating spinal arthritis conservatively

Spinal arthritis is a common condition that affects millions of Americans, typically over the age of 50. Women are more likely than men to develop the condition. Fortunately, many effective treatment options are available to relieve your symptoms of pain and inflammation. Depending on the severity of your spinal arthritis, pain medication and moderate exercise may be effective.

Other conservative spine arthritis treatments can include anti-inflammatories, weight management, traction therapy, spinal injections, physical therapy and chiropractic treatment. Before starting any treatment, consult with your physician who can provide you with a personalized treatment plan. When all other nonsurgical treatments fail to provide you with sufficient symptom relief, your physician may recommend back surgery.

Surgical options for spinal arthritis

Open back surgery is a risky procedure that should be used as a last resort treatment. Before making a decision concerning neck or back surgery, research the less invasive alternatives that are available to you, such as USA Spine Care’s minimally invasive spine surgery. Our outpatient procedures reduce the recovery time and the risk of complication compared to traditional open back surgery.^

We offer our minimally invasive spine surgery patients a streamlined experience, allowing them to reduce hospital-associated costs and get back to their daily routine as quickly as possible, with 88 percent of our patients reporting a return to daily activities within three months after surgery.^ To learn more about USA Spine Care and how we can help treat your spinal arthritis, contact us today.

Since 2005, our dedicated team has helped more than 75,000 patients find lasting relief from their chronic neck or back pain. Reach out to us to find out if our procedures could help you rediscover your life from spinal arthritis. Through a free MRI review* we can determine if you are a potential candidate for our minimally invasive spine surgery.